Curing Me-Firstism
.. . . not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same
condemnation as the devil.
1 Timothy 3:6
The late theologian Francis Schaeffer wrote that when we violate one of
the
Ten Commandments, we actually violate two. Violating every other
commandment
means first violating the tenth: "You shall not covet." To want another
god,
another day to work, to fail to honor our parents, to steal from another
person . . . all are expressions of covetousness - the desire to take for
ourselves.
Pride is likely another type of "root" sin, since it appears from
Scripture
that it was the first sin ever committed. Before the creation of man, when
Satan was God's "anointed cherub" and the "son of the morning," he rose up
in pride against God and declared he would "be like the Most High" and
"exalt [his] throne above the stars of God" (Isaiah 14:13-14). Pride is
that
motivation that tempts us to put ourselves at the center of the universe;
to
make ourselves more im****tant than anyone else. Pride leads to conflict
and
condemnation with us, just as it did with Satan. When you encounter
conflict
in your path, check first to see if pride is involved.
For it is pride that is at the root of all other sins.
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August 1st - Saint Peter's Chains
In the year 44 King Herod Agrippa, after putting to death Saint James, son
of
Zebedee, was still avid for popular approval by the Jews. He had Saint
Peter
cast into prison, intending to put him to death publicly after the
Passover;
but
the entire Church of Jerusalem was offering up prayers to God "without
ceasing"
(Acts 12:5) for the deliverance of the Chief Pastor of His flock, and God
heard
them favorably.
The king had taken all possible precautions to prevent the escape of his
prisoner. He was guarded day and night by sixteen soldiers, four of whom
kept
sentry duty in turn - two in the same dungeon with him, and two at the
gate.
Saint Peter was fastened to the ground by two chains, and a soldier
watched
on
either side of him. He lay fast asleep on the very night before the day
fixed
for his execution, when it pleased God to deliver him out of the hands of
his
enemies. In the middle of the night, a bright light shone in the prison,
and
an
Angel appeared beside him. He woke him from his sleep and bade him
instantly
rise, fasten his cincture, put on his sandals and cloak, and follow him.
The
Apostle did so, for the chains had fallen off his wrists. Following his
heavenly
guide, he passed after him through the first and second watches, and when
they
arrived at the iron gate which led into the city, that gate opened before
them
of its own accord. The Angel conducted him through one street, then,
suddenly
disappearing, left him to seek refuge.
The Apostle went directly to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where
several disciples were assembled and sending up their prayers to heaven
for
his
deliverance. As he stood knocking, a young woman who had been sent to the
door,
hearing Peter's voice, ran back in joy and informed the group that their
Pastor
was at the door. They paid no attention to her, saying she was beside
herself,
or that it was probably his Guardian Angel. But the knocking continued
until
they opened the door, and Saint Peter, entering, told them of his
miraculous
escape. Having enjoined them to notify the rest of the brethren, he
departed
to
regions of greater security, carrying wherever he went the divine blessing
and
life.
Reflection: This miracle clearly confirms the divine promise, "If two of
you
consent upon earth about anything at all for which they ask, it shall be
done
for them by My Father in heaven." (Matt. 18:19)
Sources: New Testament, Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 12; Little Pictorial
Lives
of the Saints, a compilation based on Butler's Lives of the Saints and
other
sources by John Gilmary Shea (Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894).
Saint Quote:
But baptism of desire is perfect conversion to God by contrition or love
of
God
above all things accompanied by an explicit or implicit desire for true
Baptism
of water, the place of which it takes as to the remission of guilt.
-St. Alphonsus Liguori
Bible Quote
Every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth
himself,
shall be exalted\
-(Luke :18:14)
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Litany of Saint Raphael
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, filled with the mercy of God, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, perfect adorer of the Divine Word, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, terror of demons, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, exterminator of vices, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, health of the sick, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, our refuge in all our trials, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, guide of travelers, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, consoler of prisoners, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, joy of the sorrowful, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, filled with zeal for the salvation of souls, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, whose name means God heals, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, lover of chastity, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, scourge of demons, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, in pestilence, famine and war, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, angel of peace and prosperity, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, endowed with the grace of healing, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, sure guide in the paths of virtue and sanctification, pray
for us.
Saint Raphael, help of all those who implore your assistance, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, who was the guide and consolation of Tobias on his journey,
pray for us.
Saint Raphael, whom the Scriptures praise: Raphael, the holy angel of the
Lord, was sent to cure, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, our advocate, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Pray for us, Saint Raphael, to the Lord Our God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Lord, Jesus Christ, by the prayer of the Archangel Raphael, grant us the
grace to avoid all sin and to persevere in every good work until we reach
our heavenly destination, You Who lives and reigns world without end.
Amen.
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