228. Where Satan Casts His Most Ferocious Blows
Celebrating the Assumption of Our Lady
Always, but in particular now, Christians have to accept a forever on going fight with Satan. Just because we observe the commandments, more or less lead decent lives and do no serious wrong, we think we are safe. It is when we try to get close to God that Satan puts into action his seductive plan to drag us away. But it is when we try to get close to Our Lady, the mother of Christ that Satan deals his most ferocious blows.
No woman has been more blasphemed against than Mary both by atheists and so called Christians alike. It can be understood why atheists should go against Mary but our own brethren, other Christians, in plain words sum up their reaction, as being idolatry to worship her.
Ever since Christ said “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it-” Mary has represented that Church. Her feast, 15th August called the Assumption, celebrates the belief that Mary has ascended into heaven body and soul, for thus the early Christians celebrated the Mother of God, and who are we to do otherwise?
The Church however, in spite of Christ’s words that the gates of hell shall never prevail against her has her hands full with the attacks placed upon her from outside and inside for whenever men get close to God Satan is incessantly on the prowl to snatch them away, and he quite often succeeds. But when people try to get close to Mary, since she brings people to God, Satan is relentless in his pursuit. It is then we hear of churches being burnt in Asia, and of churches being closed in Canada, of Christians being massacred for the only reason that they are Christians.
Christ did not promise that Satan will not attack the Church, but he did say Satan will not prevail against it, the Church will win because it is founded by Christ and hence there will always be men and women who will want to draw close to God. There will always be men and women who will fight against those who persecute Mary and consequently the Church. There will always be those who will stick their necks out against people who will try to force Christians to act out their faith only in private, reserved areas as the home or church and take the Crucifixes off our walls and spires.
No, we Christians in this village at least, will not accept to be forced to hide our faith as some people are forced to do so in China, and other such places where Christianity is not tolerated because Satan has a firm hold on those areas. The people of Sarmede, this village built their church 180 years ago with their own hands and they know the only mercy that can be obtained in this world is that which comes from God- we are the Church, with all our faults and sins; human beings are the Church not bricks and mortar.... and we won’t allow others to do their worst and wreck it. But this means having to fight those forces that are set on disintegrating us, dispelling us, and make that this parish, this church and the Divinity of its function is no more.
The Celebrant blesses the people because they are the Church and the Church is Divine
We will take Our Lady shoulder high through the streets of our village since we know the only winning side is God’s side.
We venerate the relic of Our Lady because she is Divine
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