SAINTS PERPETUA & FELICITY, MARTYRS.
"Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
"Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”
"Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
"But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.
"And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out?
"Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
"When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11: 14 - 23).
Thursday 7th March 2024, Thursday of the 3rd Week in Lent is the feast of two young martyrs from North Africa: Saints Perpetua and Felicity. (+ 203). Perpetua was mother of a young child and Felicity was pregnant.
Perpetua and Felicity triumphed over their butchers by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Cf Revelation 12: 11).
Today's Scripture points us to reflect on the reality of Spiritual Warfare.
Are you one of those sophisticated scientific Christians who despise the reality of demons and spiritual combat?
If you are, think again because you may be in the minority. This is because the Church defines a Catholic as: He who believes in all that is contained in Sacred Scripture and believes everything taught by the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This includes: The Sacraments, Sacramentals, the Hierarchy, etc.
The Season of Lent has been known as a Season of Desert Experience by Christians. This is the period when most Christians are severely tested in their walk with Jesus.
I learned during my years with the RCIA that most Catechumens and Candidates are very tempted to leave the Process at this time. The Church applies the Rite of Exorcism to help all those preparing to enter the Church at Easter Vigil.
How do we protect ourselves from demonic assaults?
Holy water, crucifix, Bible, Holy Rosary, Chaplet, Sign of the Cross, holy Medals and holy pictures.
All these are sacramentals.
They all belong to the treasury of graces that Jesus bequeathed His Church.
Use them. Put on the full armor of God always.
St Joseph is the man chosen by God to be the foster father and guardian of Jesus.
Joseph is a man of high purity and chastity. God chose him to be the husband of Mary because God had fitted him with the appropriate graces to protect the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Church considers St Joseph the greatest Saint after the Blessed Virgin Mary. Joseph is so fittingly named the Patron of the Universal Church. Remember that he was the Guardian of Jesus and in his intercessory role, you can believe that Jesus will deny nothing to Joseph.
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23-Psalm1to2