Dark Forces

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 6 November 2010 (27 Paapi; 27 Babah)
Sebastiana disciple of St.Paul; Macarius of Edkow.

Set your heart on what pertains to higher
realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand. (Col.3:1)

"Young man, I say to you, arise." (Luke 7:14)

He who Disciplines his son will profit by him, and
boast of him among acquaintances. (Sirach 30:2)

Run from the place of sin, as though from a plague. (John Climacus)

The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength,
the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me, the
right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength,
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works
of the Lord. (Psa.118:15b-17)

There is a breaking of the heart which is gentle and
makes it deeply penitent, and there is a breaking
of the heart which is violent and harmful, shattering
it completely. (Mark the Ascetic)

The name of Jesus Christ is a great name, it is crossing
from death to life. (Ephreim the Syrian)

The Lord settles and rests in the hearts of the meek.
The agitated soul is Satan's abode. (St. John Climacus)

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her
and said "Do not Weep." (Luke 7:13)

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence
is fullness of joy. (Psa.16:11)

I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me
and set me in a broad place. (Psa.118:5)

REFLECTION:

Not all of us understand spiritual values as well as we
should, nor do we give them a proper place in our lives.
Many of us, strongly attracted by sin, look upon such
values as of no importance or ignore them all together.

Lord Jesus, help us to appreciate spiritual values and give
them first place in our hearts. Grant that we may remain
forever united with you. (John Roncali)

PRIVATE THOUGHTS:

ALL HALLOWS - HALLOWEEN

It is when the Forces of Darkness come together in its endeavor to overcome
the light. It is wrapped up with the Pagan Celtic Feast of Samhain. It is a
great pity in the Western Church that it overshadows the Feast of All Saints and All Souls.

The evening of All Hallows is a time when evil spirits come out in force to
overcome good. Demons are as real as Angels. It all goes back to the Lie
told to Eve back in the Garden of Eden. 'You will be as God and shall not surely die.'

As Christians we should not have anything to do with this demonic goings on.
It grieves me to see young children out on 31 October dressed as
witches, ghouls and goblins going around to Trick or Treat and wearing
demonic masks. Their parents sadly think it is a lot of harmless fun.
Satan has deceived them into thinking this and alas even some Churches go
along with it. They need stirring up. The old Advent Collect 'Stir Up we
beseech Thee' is most apt.

It is going to get worse before it gets better, we have the Time of
Tribulation coming and have we been prepared for this time of trouble? It
will be far worse than any Holocaust that the world
has seen . Some lines from St. Patrick's Breastplate I feel is appropriate
are these:

God's shield to protect me,
God's legions to save me,
from the snares of the demons
from evil enticements
from failings of nature
from one man or many
that seek to destroy me
anear or afar.

The Cross also is our Protection against the wiles of Demonic Powers.
Another thought is that people are making a False God out of Guy Fawkes.
They are also making a False God out of Sport and bow down to
these Maori False Gods.

The money that is wasted going up in smoke could be better directed
into the Propagation of the Gospel.

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 112:1-2; Matt. 25:14-23.
Morning: Psalm 132:1-2, 9-10; Luke 6:17-23.
Liturgy: Heb. 11:17-31; James 1:12-21; Acts 19:11-20; Psalm 1:1; Gospel Matt. 4:23 - 5:16.