I have some challenges for Catholics as Advent draws closer to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s birthday. Many pagans, atheists and protestants claim that Jesus was not actually born in December.
I always heard it said that He was actually likely born sometime around March. I never found this to be too much of a big issue to argue about. However, in the video linked here, theologian and convert to Catholicism Dr. Taylor Marshall makes his case that December 25 IS our Lord’s actual birthdate.
Now let’s get to the challenges. The first is for Catholics to start treating Advent like the penitential time that it is.
Just like Lent is a time of fasting and sacrifice leading up to Our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, Advent is the same for Christmas. Now, I don’t know that it has to be quite as penitential as Lent (which is also associated with Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the dessert before being tempted by Satan).
Lent culminates in the Crucifixion on Good Friday and His sacrifice for our sins. The penance of Advent is more anticipatory of the coming Savior.
So, does that mean that having a little celebration with friends or whatever is forbidden? No, but is a 6-week diet of booze and cookies healthy physically or spiritually? Be honest with yourself on that.
I never ask my audience to do something I am unwilling to do. So, I have upped my fasting a little from normal and am committing to getting to Confession at least weekly.
Weekly? I don’t have any sins this week. Not even venial ones? Well, thank you for blessing us with your time St. Reader! Personally, if I had the time and the Sacrament of Reconciliation were offered daily and without appointment (which it really should be), I would likely go daily as I catch myself committing a sin almost every hour.
I recently viewed an older discussion between Taylor Marshall and Tim Gordon. The video is about an hour-and-a-half long. It is linked here and I encourage you to view it.
To sum up and lead into my other challenge, they discuss the 1970s exorcism of Anneliese Michel. The film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is based on this true exorcism with several Hollywood liberties taken.
I have become quite interested in The Rite of Exorcism over the years for a few reasons. First, it is the truest form of spiritual warfare between the Chruch (The Bride of Christ) and the demonic.
Second, so much truth is exposed by it. This is not because the demons are willingly truthful. They are murderers and liars from the beginning.
However, they are bound by the Church’s authority given by Jesus Christ at certain points to speak and answer questions truthfully while in session. This is just one of the reasons I know the Holy Rosary is a powerful weapon against evil.
So, what we learn in the video posted above is that the demons claim during the exorcism that they are quite pleased with the changes the Church made after Vatican II in the early 1960s. One of the things they like is that in the Novus Ordo Mass, you are allowed to receive the Eucharist on the hands rather than the tongue.
I already stated in a previous article that that we should be receiving on the tongue. However, the demons state in the recordings of the exorcism that they also like that people are receiving standing rather than kneeling.
Obviously, if you attend the Traditional Latin Mass, you have no choice but to receive kneeling and on the tongue. However, many of us have trouble practically getting to a Latin Mass every week for various reasons.
I myself am finding that I prefer it as I know it is more holy even though I have no understanding, but for logistical and family reasons I often attend the Novus Ordo. Admittedly, it is sometimes out of sheer convenience which is weak on my part.
Most practicing Catholics are attending Novus Ordo. So that gives us an opportunity to be a witness for Christ.
My challenge is to receive the Eucharist only on our knees and on the tongue. The first part separates the men from the boys.
Granted, some cannot get up and down for health reasons. Jesus knows this, so don’t worry if you cannot.
But if you can, I challenge you to get on your knees before our Lord in the Flesh. Aside from showing proper veneration, it sends a message to the congregation and to the priest (obviously you should receive from the priest or deacon, not laity).
It is also an act of humility. We all have an inherent desire to conform and fit in.
Going against that is an act of courage. I might hold up the line. People might think I am weird.
So what? You ARE weird. So am I. So are they.
You just might inspire someone who has been wanting to do the same to follow suit.
Let’s take the remainder of Advent to sacrifice, be humble and enter through the narrow gate. Talk soon.
-Marksman