Stay the Course

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Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8)

 

GIVEN that I am now entering my eighteenth year in this apostolate of The Now Word, I carry a certain perspective. And that is that things are not dragging on as some claim, or that prophecy is not being fulfilled, as others say. On the contrary, I cannot keep up with all that is coming to pass — much of it, what I have written over these years. While I have not known the details of how exactly things would come to fruition, for example, how Communism would return (as Our Lady allegedly warned the seers of Garabandal — see When Communism Returns), we now see it returning in the most astonishing, clever, and ubiquitous manner.[1]cf. The Final Revolution It is so subtle, in fact, that many still do not realize what is unfolding all around them. “Whoever has ears ought to hear.”[2]cf. Matthew 13:9

And yet, do you still want to hear?  I say this, because many are getting tired and falling asleep at this late hour — just as Our Lord predicted.[3]cf. The Final Revolution This is why you and I, dear reader, are called upon to awaken: be faithful and true, consistent and untiring, prayerful and watchful, sober and alert in our spiritual lives. For the army of Our Lady, the New Gideon, that is forming right now, is very small indeed.

Small is the number of those who understand and follow me… —Our Lady to Mirjana, May 2nd, 2014

But this little rabble is crucial in the fulfillment of God’s plans and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. 

This is why so many of us are under full-frontal assault by the enemy. Every crack in our spiritual life, every chink in the armor, ever weakness in the flesh is being exploited by the devil. He is doing everything he can to take us out by destroying our marriages, families, our equilibrium, our inner peace, and if possible, our relationship with God. Satan wants us to lose confidence in the authority of the Church; in the efficacy of the Sacraments; and faith in the Word of God. He wants us to become cynical about prophecy  — nay, cast it aside altogether. He wants us bitterly divided. Hence, the devil is throwing the kitchen sink at the Bride of Christ — and knocking many off of the Barque of Peter while he’s at it.

But God permits all this. Why? As another means to purify us, to make us fully aware of our weakness and utter dependence upon Him. 

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it…. for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (1 Cor 10:12-13, James 1:3-4)

The present call is to perseverance, to stay the course. To let nothing come between you and Jesus. Nothing. Not even the “little sins.” So if you need a “course correction”, what are you waiting for? In the Sacrament of Confession, God the Father sets everything right through the Precious Blood of His Son, Jesus. He gathers you up in His arms; He washes you again; He places upon you a new robe, fresh sandals, and a ring on your finger.[4]cf. Luke 15:22 He makes all things new as He sends you back into the world, forgiven and in His friendship — even if your sin had been mortal. 

Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! —Jesus to St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary, n. 1448

“…those who go to Confession frequently, and do so with the desire to make progress” will notice the strides that they make in their spiritual lives. “It would be an illusion to seek after holiness, according to the vocation one has received from God, without partaking frequently of this sacrament of conversion and reconciliation.” —POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Penitentiary conference, March 27th, 2004; catholicculture.org

While I have always been extremely leary about very specific public prophetic predictions — mostly because they almost always fail [5]cf. A Statement on Fr. Michel — I have found Our Lady’s constant and loving admonishments to holiness to be truly edifying and challenging, wise and helpful — a true light in the darkness at a time when nearly the entire hierarchy has grown conspicuously silent.[6]cf. Turn on the Headlights Her words are a sure sign that the Good Shepherd has not abandoned the flock, even if some shepherds have. As with all authentic private revelation, there is nothing “new” per se; but to hear it again with new ears is always a grace.

Behold, children, I come to show you the way, the way that leads to the Lord, the only True Way… humble your ego and extol God. When you pray, children, do not get lost in a thousand empty words: pray with your heart, pray with love. My children, learn to pause before the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar: there my Son awaits you, alive and true, my children. —Our Lady to Simona, Decmber 26th, 2022

Please do not sin anymore. I have been here among you for a long time and I invite you to conversion, I invite you to prayer, but not all of you listen. Alas, my heart is torn with pain at seeing so much indifference, seeing so much evil. This world is increasingly in the grip of evil and still you stand by and watch? I am here by God’s infinite mercy, I am here to prepare and gather my little army. Please children, do not be caught unprepared. The trials to be overcome will be many, but not all of you are ready to endure them. Beloved children, please return to God. Put God first in your lives and say your “yes.” Children, a “yes” said from the heart. —Our Lady to Angela, December 26th, 2022
And yet, Our Lady is warning that even she is running out of words…
My children, the times toward which you are headed will be hard, and that is why I ask you to increase your prayer and especially the prayer of the Holy Rosary, a powerful weapon against evil.  My children, now more than before you will be in need of protection… do not let iniquity take hold of you… I ask for prayers for the Church and the corrupt men within her — they have now lost their way. Many priests, bishops and cardinals are in confusion…. My children, I want to save you and I have no more words; please help me, my sweetest children.  —Our Lady to Gisella Cardia, January 3rd, 2022
Do you see how practical Our Lady is?
 
• pray from the heart, not just the head;
• pause before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and acknowledge and love Him;
• do not sin anymore;
• do not be indifferent to evil (ie. don’t be a coward! Use your voice, your keyboard, your presence);
• put God first, and let your “yes” be “yes” (cf. Matt 6:33);
• pray the Holy Rosary (for your protection!);
• pray for the shepherds
 
Those are just three messages from this past week that I posted on Countdown. Just those three messages alone contain nearly everything you need to get through these times. And what are they but a reaffirmation of the Public Revelation of Jesus Christ handed on to us 2000 years ago! 
 
For me, the sensational prophecies and predictions are not what is crucial (and many of them fall flat, as experience shows us). Even though I co-founded Countdown to the Kingdom, I am far more reticent about such alleged “words” than many people may realize. Indeed, I just file them in the “We Shall See” category because, really, what more can one do about them — except, of course, pray for God’s mercy upon the world? And even then, if prophets fail, God does not. Our hope is in the Lord. Even When Cedars Fall (ie. our shepherds),[7]cf. When the Stars Fall it should not shake our faith — otherwise, our faith was misplaced to begin with.
 
So when I say stay the course, brothers and sisters, I mean let us get back to the basics; back to being faithful; back to prayer; back to the spiritual means that we already have at our fingertips, especially the Sacraments, fasting, the Rosary, novenas, etc. And if you do, if and when the more dramatic prophecies come about, you will be prepared. But many of us are not prepared, as Our Lady warns. And that is a very, very sobering thought — especially given how many of the “faithful” are already being divided into Two Camps. Let none of us presume that we are beyond falling into denial, like Peter, much less betrayal — like Judas.

As we begin this new year, let us be sincere and persevering in following Jesus as a true disciple, not out of fear, but gratitude that “this is still a time of grace”, as Our Lady said to Angela. Finally, I wish I could say, “imitate me”, as St. Paul would to his readers.[8]cf. 1 Cor 4:16 But I am a tired watchman who needs grace and mercy as much as anyone… 

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Note that a man whom the Lords sends forth as a preacher is called a watchman. A watchman always stands on a height so that he can see from afar what is coming. Anyone appointed to be a watchman for the people must stand on a height for all his life to help them by his foresight. How hard it is for me to say this, for by these very words I denounce myself. I cannot preach with any competence, and yet insofar as I do succeed, still I myself do not live my life according to my own preaching. I do not deny my responsibility; I recognize that I am slothful and negligent, but perhaps the acknowledgment of my fault will win me pardon from my just judge. —St. Gregory the Great, homily, Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. IV, p. 1365-66
 
 

 

 

with Nihil Obstat

 

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Footnotes

Posted in HOME, THE GREAT TRIALS.