It is increasingly evident in these present and ever-trying times that there are forces in play which seek to further alienate us from God’s Truth and His longing for our acceptance and adherence to His salvific Plan. This great divide rears its ugliness in both the supernatural realm of “good” vs. “evil”, and in the finite realm of secular deviation from His moral, and long-established, code, which has advanced the human cause from the beginning of time.
The Triune God that we adore and worship is constant, immutable, unwavering and eternal. Its Truth is unchangeable. If it were not, then this internal conflict would render our God imperfect, which is impossible. The catechism lessons we learned as children decades ago are as valid and compelling today as they were in the 50’s and 60’s. Yet, secular powers dismiss them as archaic, outdated, and relics of a repressed era which lacked today’s “enlightenment”. Will this “enlightenment” hold up at one’s particular judgment? Will God be swayed by one’s defense that His Truths were outdated and no longer reflective of the “times”? Indeed, how will God respond to that? We certainly share an educated guess.
What is this eternal risk which we face for our failure to worship God as He has laid down for us? Please reflect upon this via a sobering, yet inspiring, contemplation:
“The one and only ultimate end of man is the Beatific Vision. If someone attains this, he has attained the purpose for which he was created and redeemed. If someone fails to attain this, he has failed as a human being and as a Christian. Our final condition is either total victory or total failure : we have gained all, or lost all. There is nothing in between. The only “happy ending” is heaven, and the only “tragedy” is hell. The rest is relative.”
As Knights of Columbus, we are very much immersed in both worlds. We must remain staunch defenders of Holy Mother Church and Christian soldiers for Christ.
We must also remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure that the Truth of God remains the eternal Truth for mankind! God has revealed His plan for us, and that is to share with Him the wonders of the kingdom of Heaven for eternity!
Anything short of that, as stated previously, is failure. In that case, sorry to say, it would have been better for us if we had never existed.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has bestowed upon us a most powerful grace to aid us in our path to salvation. His love and mercy for us is infinite and never ending. This wonderful, and totally unmerited, gift is the Devotions to His Sacred Heart, especially as evidenced in the Promises of the 1st Friday Liturgy. Among other promises, it stipulates that whoever observes the requirements of this liturgy on nine consecutive 1st Fridays will not die without benefit of the sacraments!
What are these requirements:
1) Attendance at Mass
2) WORTHY (in state of grace) reception of Holy Communion
3) Sacramental Confession up to 8 days either before or after the 1st Friday observance
How could any Catholic alive not seek to accept this extension of infinite love and salvation? Faithful followers of this supernatural largesse will enjoy all indulgences necessary for salvation at the time of death.
In addition, the recitation of another devotion to the Sacred Heart, The Divine Mercy Chaplet, at the hour of death will reward his soul with abundant graces to receive the salvation destiny of God’s will.
The following three links will provide a more in-depth overview of the 1st Friday Liturgy and its miraculous promises:
1) https://team@first-fridays.us/
Presents details and offers assistance relating to the 1st Friday observance.
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi_p3o68Bqs
Presents a homily of the salvific promise of 1st Friday devotions.
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9jFgG3w6Lg
A story of how God goes to great lengths to keep His divine promise!
Please take advantage of Our Lord’s extension of love and mercy! However, once nine months of observance has been achieved, do not treat this blessing as some type talisman or “get out of hell free” card. While Our Lord will keep His promises, you are expected to remain true and devoted Catholics, ever faithful to His will in leading moral and upright lives.
To start your journey, you may consider attending 1st Friday Devotions held each month at Our Lady of Victories Parish in Harrington Park, or at St. John Parish in Leonia, both in the evening. You will be able to fulfill your three requirements there, as well as continuing your journey in your own parish.
May the Lord guide you and your families to Life Eternal!
VIVAT JESUS!