Humility is the antidote to the world’s ills…

Dear friends, these are the days to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” as our Lord told his disciples in Matthew 10:16, when he sent them out “as sheep in the midst of wolves”. I have reblogged here a post on humility as the antidote for our times, as well as two other of my previous messages. Today, feast day of the Immaculate Conception, we have the perfect model of humility, a stunning example of what can be accomplished when one is fully ordered in the Divine Will, and completely empty of self. Let us learn from her and from these other messages on humility what God is asking for us in these treacherous times. May our Mother keep us all in her care as we await the blessed hope of the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart and the coming of the Kingdom of the Divine Will.

2 Peter 2:1 There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will introduce destructive heresies and even deny the Master who ransomed them, bringing swift destruction on themselves.

“My beloved, my child, these are the days to test everything. Do not be deceived, but take every thought captive to Christ. Keep yourselves pure and humble. Avail yourselves of the sacraments. Read Scripture and the lives of the saints. Read holy books rather than subject your soul to deception. These are days for caution, my children. Spend your time wisely in holy pursuits. Do not give the devil a chance to work on you. Work out your own salvation through prayer, fasting, and true conversion of heart. If there is any pride in you, root it out. Indignation, anger, self-righteousness, these are all manifestations of pride. Let the saints guide you on the path of humility—most especially our pure and lowly Mother. Ask her and she will guide you. Children, my peace I give you. Do not trade it away for a counterfeit. Rest in me. I am near.”

Jesus we trust in you and rest in your merciful heart. Mother most pure, keep us safe from the deceptions of the evil one and never let us fall into error or serious sin. Thank you Jesus for your gracious care of our poor souls. We love you! Amen.

John 15: 20 Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.

“Beloved child hear me well. All these things will happen to you as well, for there are many on this earth who do not know or acknowledge either me or my Father. It is these who will be your persecutors and, my child, some of these are your brothers and sisters in the church. Do not be alarmed when these things happen, but pray always for the light of Christ to illuminate the hearts and minds of those who persecute you for my name’s sake. Be always willing to forgive, for the enemy of your soul, the true enemy, would love to fill your heart with self-righteous indignation. Look to the cross at these times, my child, and repeat my words with your will, if not your heart, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ Then your heavenly Father will hear your prayer and much goodness and grace will be won for sinners.”

Father, Son and Spirit, I need every grace you would give me in order to withstand and endure what is to come. I trust in your abiding presence, your everlasting love and goodness, and your infinite power. Father, Son and Spirit, I trust in you! Amen.