You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
After I wrote my last post on the antichrist, I prayed my prayers and told the Lord that I was okay if he never spoke to me about that ever again. Because I am not a theologian, and don’t have the intellectual capacity that these top theologians do, contemplating things of that nature sometimes make me feel like my head is going to explode from the vastness of it all. I don’t know or truly understand eschatology and I often wonder why the Lord speaks to me about these things at all. Not to mention, the devil doesn’t like it when you warn people to stay out of his grip.
I went to bed after having said the prayer ready for a restful nights sleep, but it was not to be. I was startled awake by a sensation pouring over my body, and a weight pressed so strongly into my soul, it physically pressed me into my bed. And the Lord spoke a word to me. “MERCY.”
I reacted, yes Lord, I know. Mercy, we have to have mercy. He persisted. “MERCY.” And I knew in that moment the gravity of the Lord’s words to me, and how important this message is. Saint Faustina’s Divine Mercy image came into my soul and I knew I must speak.
I pondered all the happening in the world, across social media, inside the church. And I noticed something, something I have talked about before. I reflected on all the infighting about all kinds of things, some things that matter, and some that definitely don’t. And I wondered why we spend so much time fighting about the things that don’t matter. I wondered too, why we take things into our own hands before asking God what He actually wants, when it comes to the things that do matter. If we don’t invite God into the things that matter, we can be led down a very dark path.
You see, we spend so much time focused on things that are actually insignificant in the big scheme of things and so little time actually doing what God tells us, even in the big things. We want to be right above all else. Our own way is best. I noticed how people, especially on social media, cannot take correction even when it is warranted. The ad hominem attacks are plentiful, and even if correction may not be warranted, the worst of the other person is always assumed. Calumny, detraction, and presumption are flying all over the place. And I thought to myself, therein lies the great deception. We don’t know who our enemy is. We have turned on each other, when we have a common enemy that we should be putting our enmity on. Satan laughs as this deception enables him to steal, kill and destroy.
We worry about all kinds of things about ourselves. We worry about when things will happen, how they will happen, and what will my place be in all of this. Will I be safe? What’s going to happen to me? We overlook our fellow man, and listen to the poison arrows of suggestion that are lobbed at us. And as we do this, Jesus passes by. Waiting for us to recognize Him. Waiting for the invitation. Waiting for us to walk on water. But we sink. We still all think like Peter did as we await our worldly reward. The deception is that which takes our eyes off of LOVE. Distraction is everywhere. Mercy is scarcely found in us, even though MERCY is the conduit to love.
I see it everywhere, and I mean it as no condemnation of anyone, but if you put anything, and I mean ANYTHING, above God Alone who is good (Mark 10:18) and who is love, then you are subject to this deception. This is the place where the door is open to the devil and he can come in to twist your perception. If you put your intellect above love, your credentials above love, your need for validation above love, your need for healing above love, prophecy above love, you are letting love pass you by. You get stuck in your worldly focus of being smart, being wounded, being in pain, or your want for security or power in the future, above the two greatest commandments, love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Don’t get me wrong, God wants to meet us and fill us in all those places, but in proper order. If we put Him first, all the rest aligns with His Will which wants to prosper us and not to harm us.
If you are unable to be corrected, it’s time to do an examen. Correction is sometimes warranted, especially from authority. The devil hates authority and does everything he can to undermine it. He is rebellion. It is why he hates obedience so much. And our individualistic society doesn’t understand it.
We should be operating as One Body in Christ. Looking at people with the eyes of love does not presume the worst about them. We should want for their salvation, not demise. We should extend mercy towards our fellow man at all times. We should not seek power. Love lives in humility. Mercy lives on the cross.
Peter denied Jesus 3 times because Peter thought like the world does and thought he had to save Himself. When he finally realized he already had a Savior, who looked different than what he expected he wept bitterly but turned toward Him. Jesus gave Peter the chance to undo his denials when he asked him about love at the charcoal fire;
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Jesus is asking Peter to feed His lambs. Peter, and all of us who live our mission as priest, prophet and king, must feed them the WAY. The way is the way of love. It does not lead the lambs to the slaughter or destruction of the devil. Love is the first and foremost virtue, and it is the theological virtue that lasts through all eternity.
He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus tells Peter to tend his sheep. Tend to them with TRUTH. True love is not devoid of truth. Love comes first because without love, truth can become a weapon, which the devil will then use to destroy. But without truth, we do not have true love, which the devil also uses for destruction. The two things CANNOT be separated. Truth endures time because Truth is a person.
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. Feed his sheep the LIFE. The love and truth in God permeate your soul, frees you from sin, allows you to accept and to extend mercy, and this is THE LIFE. Freedom is not what the world says it is. Freedom, bathed in love, and grounded in truth, gives us a life of peace and joy free from the chains and sin of the world.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” John 21:15-18
This last part, being led where you do not want to go, it is a handing over of your human will into the Will of the Divine. Earthly life becomes of no consequence, and heaven becomes our reward.
Put God first. Ask the angels to protect you, and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind, so that God alone becomes your priority, and deception is unmasked.
Veil of Veronica 
Sue,
You state: “Because I am not a theologian[] . . .” Neither am I, I just read a lot. Yes, neither of us are academic theologians. That is part of the problem in today’s Church, Sue – as a consequence of the reformation, the laity came to believe that the only people who could expound on the faith were priests, because they had the requisite education, or, those in the religious life. The danger of a over reliance on the clergy and academic theologians lead to many problems. I am not saying that it is not good to have academic degrees, but, remember what Evagrius said: “If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian.” – Treatise on Prayer, 61. In that sense, you are a theologian, Sue.
“[I] don’t have the intellectual capacity that these top theologians do [] . . .” Sue, you are a very intelligent woman and no dummy. Don’t sell yourself short.
“[C]ontemplating things of that nature sometimes make me feel like my head is going to explode from the vastness of it all.” I know – that is why there are certain questions, that when I probe them, overwhelm me.
“I don’t know or truly understand eschatology . . .” Not many do. It confuses me, and I often stay away from it. Best book I ever read was Julian of Toledo’s Prognosticum Futuri Saeculi, published by Paulist press as Ancient Christian Writers #63. Another superb one is the one recommended by St. Theresa the Little Flower, Father Charles Arminjon’s book The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life. Here is the url for the translator’s site: https://www.susanconroy.com/endoftheworld.shtml
Charlie Johnston has spoken highly of Desmond’s Birch’s book, Trial, Tribulation & Triumph, but I have never read it, and thus cannot comment on it.
“[A]nd I often wonder why the Lord speaks to me about these things at all.” You sound like the Prophet Jeremiah, lol.
Sue, you are doing a good job, and you are a good wife and mother. Keep it up! You and your family are in my prayers!
Thank you!!!
Hi Susan
Thankyou for sharing this post with us, you always give me something to ponder on deeply. I consider myself a Man of God (or try to be) but when ever I examine myself with both my heart and mind I always find myself failing.
As I have mentioned in the past I am involved in men’s Ministry in Australia, I am blessed to be able talk to hundreds of men every year. I find your posts both beautiful and enlightening, as I get to listen about Gods will through a Women’s Heart.
God Bless
Steve 🙂
Thank you and God Bless you. We all fall short but just hand it to God and he lifts us back up.
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Spot on!!!!! Keep up the great work! Found you through Charlie Johnston & am now subscribed. Hugs & blessings!
Thank you and God Bless you!
I have found that the Surrender Novena helps to realign my thinking to God’s will. And truly that novena is just a wonderful place to rest in peace and quiet.
I pass that one out to people all the time. You’re spot on.
“Take notice also, my spouse, that very often I permit and cause differences of opinions among the doctors and teachers. Thus some of them maintain what is true and others, according to their natural disposition, defend what is doubtful. Others still again are permitted to say even what is not true, though not in open contradiction to the veiled truths of faith, which all must hold. Some also teach, what is possible according to their supposition. By this varied light, truth is traced, and the mysteries of faith become more manifest. Doubt serves as a stimulus to the understanding for the investigation of truth. Therefore controversies of the teachers fulfill a proper and holy end. They are also permitted in order, to make it known, that real science dwells in my Church more than in the combined study of all the holy and perfect teachers, and that she can make them wise above the wisdom of the worldly wise; that there is above them One, who is the Prompter of the wise (Wis. 7, 15), namely, Myself; who alone knows all and comprehends all; who weighs and measures, without ever being measured or comprehended (Wis. 9, 13); that men, although they may search my judgments and testimonies ever so much, cannot attain them, unless I give the intelligence and light (Job 32, 8), who am the beginning and the Author of all wisdom and science. I desire that men, in acknowledging all this, give Me praise, exaltation, confession, supremity and glory forever.”
78. “I desire also that the holy doctors acquire for themselves much grace, light and glory by their earnest, laudable and sacred study, and that the truth be more and more clearly detected and purified, and be traced to its source, By humbly investigating the mysteries and the admirable works of my right hand, they come to be partakers of them and of the bread of the understanding, the holy Scriptures (Eccli. 15, 3). I have especially shown my Providence in regard to doctors and teachers, although their opinions and doubts have been so diverse and for such different ends. Sometimes, for my greater glory and honor, sometimes for earthly purposes, they are permitted to dispute, and to contradict each other; and there is a great inequality in the manner in which they have proceeded and do proceed to show their emulation and earnestness. But with all this I have directed, governed and enlightened them, giving them my protection in such a manner, that the truth may be investigated and clearly manifested. The light has spread out, so that many of my perfections and wonderful works have been made known, and the holy Scriptures have been interpreted according to high standards, which has been very pleasing to Me. For this reason the fury of hell, with inconceivable envy (especially in these, our times), has raised its throne of iniquity, pretending to engulf the waters of the Jordan (Job 40, 18), and obscure the light of holy faith by heretical doctrines and seeking to sow its false seeds by the help of man (Matth. 13, 25). But the rest of the Church and its truths are in most perfect order; the Catholics, although much involved and blind in other respects, hold nevertheless the truths of faith and its holy light without diminution. I call all men with fatherly love to share this happiness, yet few are the elect, who choose to respond to my call.”
79. “I also desire thee to understand, my spouse, how well my Providence disposes things in such a way, that the teachers, by the diversity of their opinions, and by their own diligent exertion and study, scrutinize more deeply my testimonies and thus lay bare the marrow of the holy Scriptures to wayfaring men. But it would be very pleasing to Me and in harmony with my service, if learned persons would extinguish and do away with pride, envy and ambition after vain honors; also all the other passions and vices, which arise from them, together with the bad seeds, that are likely to be generated from that sort of occupation (Matth. 13, 25). But I do not root out this bad seed at present, in order that the good may not be rooted out with the bad.”
(God to Mary of Agreda: City of God).