“I have no intention of explaining how the correspondence which I now offer to the public fell into my hands. There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” -C.S. Lewis
My Dear Wormwood,
I’m writing to you today to discuss a very important topic: leading those in ministry astray. This can apply to all who serve, whether it is clergy or lay, youth minister or core team volunteer, old or young, parish council member or retreat team participant. I know what you’re thinking my nephew. Those in ministry who are frequenting the sacraments are getting grace from the Enemy, so that when they face our usual temptations of this day and age, they are able to withstand. While we may not get to them with tempting them to lie, cheat, and steal, there are certain weaknesses to which those in ministry are particularly vulnerable.
The first thing you need to do, my Wormwood, is to narrow the vision of his ministry to a certain set of menial tasks. Paperwork, emails, and meetings should be what he sees himself doing the majority of the time. Cloud his mind with the weight of these activities, and make sure you never let him ever discover that when he asks the Enemy to be present in those things, He turns that work into a prayer. Let him believe that their organizing and planning are all he does, and allow it to drain the life out of them. This way, the minister will burn out, and if he doesn’t leave soon enough, he will eventually turn away from faith all together, and we will have him. Let him equate ministry with relationship with the Enemy. Let him think that doing ministry is all he needs to do, and that he does not really need any prayer time. Be warned: once the minister has discovered that he can invite the Enemy into his work life and make every action a prayer and an offer of sacrifice, he will discover that it is life-giving, and we have lost him in this avenue.
Continue reading at Collaborative Catholic Formation Ministries»
by Jennifer Masters
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