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What Does the Bible Say About Ghosts?

Do you believe in ghosts? What does the Bible say about them? The word “ghost” is mentioned in the Bible in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Jesus even acknowledges ghosts in the Gospel of Luke, or does He? We will review 13 Bible verses about ghosts in this post.

1. What is a Ghost?

Ghosts are disembodied spirts of deceased human beings. The word “ghost” is of German origin, geist. The word geist means “spirit.” A ghost of a deceased human being is a spirit that has separated from the body, but it is not yet reunited with its resurrected body, either for eternal glory in heaven or for eternal damnation in hell.

2. 3 Kinds of Ghosts

Per Dr. Peter Kreeft, Catholic theologian, there are three (3) kinds of ghosts.

#1 Ghosts From Heaven – Ghosts from heaven are happy spirits that God has allowed to appear to the living with benevolent messages of hope, love, etc.
#2 Ghosts From Purgatory – Ghosts from purgatory are disembodied spirits of deceased human beings that are not yet released from purgatory by God.
#3 Ghosts From Hell – Ghosts from hell are spirits of the damned that have often been conjured up through necromancy. These are malicious, deceptive spirits.

If you are interested in more information about this topic, please check out Dr. Kreeft’s book, Everything You Wanted to Know About Heaven, Ignatius Press.

3. What Are Disembodied Spirits?

Haunted house in moonlight with graveyard

The term “disembodied spirit” is basically interchangeable with the word, ghost. Here is a textbook definition of what a disembodied spirit is, per Fr. Chad Ripperger, who is an exorcist and a priest of the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother.

Disembodied Spirit: 1. In the broad sense, any soul that has been separated from its body by death. 2. Used in a more restricted sense by some exorcists to refer to a damned soul, i.e. that is a human being who has died and is in hell. 3. Ghost. Source: Spiritual Warfare Book, Dominion, p.542, Fr. Chad Ripperger, PhD

4. Ghosts and Demons: Comparisons

Dr. Dan Schneider, spiritual warfare expert and a lead team member of Liber Christo, provides commentary about the reality of ghosts and demons in the world:

“A ghost and a demon are similar in that they are both disembodied spirits. What we call a ‘ghost’ is a purgative soul, and usually is allowed (on very rare occasion) to go to a place (usually where the sin was committed) to ask for prayer in reparation for sins. This is different than a demon, which is as fallen angel. Demons can also can be bound to place (an infestation where some grave evil took place), but also roam (and follow people). Usually purgative souls don’t speak, but appear for prayer to help their suffering in Purgatory. Although they may cause fear, they are not destructive and usually mute. When suspected, Mass for the Dead/ souls in Purgatory usually clears it up. Also, the office of the dead can be prayed there. When it is a demon, there is usually a negative energy, and other sinful accompaniment. The main way to tell is prayer – whether it responds by getting better or worse with prayers.” – Dr. Dan Schneider, Liber Christo Podcasts

PDF copy of the comparisons, per Liber Christo: Demon vs. Purgative Soul

5. Ghosts Mentioned in the Old Testament

Ghost Verses From the Pentateuch

Leviticus

Verse #1 (Scripture Passage: “Various Rules of Conduct“)

Do not turn to ghosts or consult spirits, by which you will be defiled. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus 19:31

This verse, written in an English translation (NABRE), is not talking about a ghost of human being that has died. This verse is talking about familiar spirits.

What are Familiar Spirits?

Familiar spirits are demons. Demons are fallen angels of the cosmos that seek the destruction of Christian souls and families. They fall under the realm of Satan.

Familiar spirits are called “familiar” because the word is derived from the Latin word familiaris, which means “a household servant.” Although familiar spirits may seem to be of service to someone who use them, familiar spirits are demons. Demons are evil, and they should be avoided as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us from evil…”

CCC 2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others – even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion…

Christ Wills Spiritual Warfare

God forbids us to turn to the darkness of familiar spirits for assistance. This is a grave sin. Rather, Christ calls for us to combat the devil and His demons, just like He did.

Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Leviticus

Verse #2 (Scripture passage: “Penalties for Various Sins“)

Should anyone turn to ghosts and spirits and prostitute oneself with them, I will turn against that person and cut such a one off from among the people. Leviticus 20:6

Another way of looking at this verse is “turning to mediums and wizards,” who consult with familiar spirits that are demons (not ghosts) to obtain occult knowledge. Having recourse to familiar spirits is an abomination before God.

Them: To have recourse to them, is to deal with the devil and to commit idolatry. Source: George Leo Haydock

The Catechism of the Catholic Church forbids communication with the dead.

CCC 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

See previous post: 4 Authentic Ways to Keep Catholic Families Out of the Occult

Deuteronomy

Verse #3 (scripture passage: “Prophets“)

Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, and because of such abominations the LORD, your God, is dispossessing them before you. Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Catholics should Not Consult with Ghosts and Spirits

As Catholics, we should not be trying to “communicate with the dead or with familial spirits.” To do such a thing offends God, and it is a violation of the 1st Commandment.

First Commandment: I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

Those who seek the advice of someone (a medium or necromancer) who is attached to a familiar spirit or seeks to communicate with familiar spirits, are offending God, and they are opening themselves up to extraordinary diabolical influences.

Extraordinary Diabolical Influences

Exorcists warn this is often what happens to people that are involved with the occult. They open themselves up, often unwittingly, to extraordinary diabolical influences:

Infestation – The presence of evil in a location, object, or animal.
Vexation – Self-inflicted external activity that affects a person’s life.
Obsession – Intense, persistent attack on a person’s interior life.
Possession – An evil spirit takes control of a person’s body.

If you and your family want to stay spiritually protected from diabolical influences, please read the post: 20 Ways of Spiritual Protection for the Family.

What is the occult?

“The word “occult” comes from the Latin occultus, meaning hidden or secret. Its basic principle is that people want to bypass God. The world of the occult is extremely complex and diverse. It is expressed in various ways by such things as superstition, idolatry, and divination, but ultimately falls under the heading of magic.

All magic is inherently evil and very dangerous because it has its origin in “the dominion of darkness” (Col 1:13). As such, it is addressed extensively in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

Source: Fr. Vincent Lampert, Exorcist – St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Ghost Verses From the Historical Books

2 Kings

Verse #4 (scripture passage: “Reign of Manasseh“)

He immolated his child by fire. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits. He did much evil in the LORD’s sight and provoked him to anger. 2 Kings 21:6

Necromancy

The consulting of ghosts (Hebrew: ôb) and spirits (yidoni) is also known as necromancy. Necromancy “seek oracles” from the dead to determine the future. Necromancy (sorcery) is an abomination to God, and it is forbidden by God.

Example of an Old Testament Verse Forbidding Necromancy

Do not turn to ghosts or consult spirits, by which you will be defiled. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus 19:31

Example of a New Testament Verse Forbidding Necromancy (Sorcery)

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

God casts out occultists who Consult with Ghosts and Spirits

Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit. Revelation 22:15

The “consultation of a ghost” is basically the same as a medium (someone that has an attachment to a familiar spirit). A familiar spirit is a demon (not a ghost).

The “consultation of a spirit” is basically the same as someone seeking to contact a familiar spirit (necromancy).

2 Kings

Vesre #5 (scripture passage: “Josiah’s Religious Reform“)

Further, Josiah purged the consultation of ghosts and spirits, with the household gods, idols, and all the other horrors to be seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he might carry out the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 23:24

In this verse, the King Josiah is reforming the “consultation of ghosts and spirits.”

People who consult ghosts and spirits for occult knowledge (3 types)

1. People possessed with familiar spirits (demons) .
2. People seeking to communicate with familiar spirits (demons).
3. People seeking to communicate with spirits of the deceased (ghosts).

1 Chronicles

Verse #6 (scripture passage: “Burial of Saul“)

Thus Saul died because of his treason against the LORD in disobeying his word, and also because he had sought counsel from a ghost rather than from the LORD. Therefore the LORD took his life, and turned his kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13

Saul Sought Counsel from a Ghost through a Necromancer

Saul sought counsel from a ghost (he consulted with a necromancer) rather than from the LORD. The gravity of Saul’s various sins eventually resulted in his death.

Saul wanted the necromancer to conjure up the ghost (or spirit) of Samuel through a ritual of incantations. Saul tried to bypass God to get the answers he needed:

Samuel then said to Saul, “Why do you disturb me by conjuring me up?” Saul replied: “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are waging war against me and God has turned away from me. Since God no longer answers me through prophets or in dreams, I have called upon you to tell me what I should do.” 1 Samuel 28:15

The Ghost of Samuel

This “seeking of occult knowledge” from the ghost or spirit of Samuel by Saul, bypassing God in the process, is a violation of God’s law. The act of necromancy is an abomination before God, and it eventually resulted in Saul’s demise (1 Chr 10:13).

Have Faith in God in Your Life

Whenever you feel that God is not answering your prayers, or if you feel that you don’t understand why things are taking place in your life the way they are, we are called as disciples of Jesus Christ to put our unwavering faith in God and His providence.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will act. Psalms 37:5

We should not go at it alone, though. That is why we are called to gather together, especially at the Sunday Mass and the daily Masses of the Church.

“Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise him. For when you come together frequently, Satan’s powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch

2 Chronicles

verse #7 (scripture passage: “Manasseh’s Impiety“)

It was he, too, who immolated his children by fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced soothsaying and divination, and reintroduced the consulting of ghosts and spirits. He did much evil in the LORD’s sight and provoked him to anger. 2 Chronicles 33:6

Catholics: Please Stay Out of the Occult

Those who are involved in the occult gravely offend God. The consulting of ghosts appears to be in reference to communication with a familiar spirit.

Sealing Prayer of Protection for the laity from Evil Spirits

I ask Jesus to seal me in His most Precious Blood against any and all incursions of the evil one, in particular against any clinging, familial, familiar or retaliating spirits, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ghost Verses From the Prophetic Books

Isaiah

Vesre #8 (scripture passage: “Disciples of Isaiah“)

And when they say to you, “Inquire of ghosts and soothsayers who chirp and mutter; should not a people inquire of their gods, consulting the dead on behalf of the living, Isaiah 8:19

Once again, this verse is about attempting to communicate with someone who has a familiar spirit attached to them (a necromancer) for forbidden knowledge.

“Inquiring of ghosts” falls into the dark realm of the occult. The Church condemns it.

All forms of divinization are to be rejected…CCC 2116

Isaiah

verse #9 (scripture passage: “Egypt”)

The courage of the Egyptians shall ebb away within them, and I will bring their counsel to nought; They shall consult idols and charmers, ghosts and clairvoyants. Isaiah 19:3

In regard to “ghosts,” perhaps a better reading of the 2nd part of the verse might be:

“They shall consult idols and charmers,

those possessed with familiar spirits,

and clairvoyants.”

Isaiah

Verse #10 (scripture passage: “Judgment and Deliverance of Jerusalem“)

You shall speak from beneath the earth, and from the dust below, your words shall come. Your voice shall be that of a ghost from the earth, and your words shall whisper from the dust. Isaiah 29:4

The word ghost is also used here in the context of necromancy. Some of the methods of necromancy involved ventriloquism. The end goal seeks forbidden, occult knowledge from a familiar spirit. The occult, in all of its forms, is detestable to God,

You shall not have other gods beside me. Exodus 20:3

6. Ghosts Mentioned in the New Testament

Ghost Verses From the Gospels

Matthew

verse #11 (scripture passage: “The Walking on the Water“)

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. Matthew 14:26

Greek Word for Ghost: Phanstasma

Greek word for ghost in Matthew: phantasma (an apparition or specter). The word phantasma only appears twice in the New Testament, here and St. Mark’s account of Jesus walking on the water at sea during the fourth watch of the night.

Then He saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. Mark 6:48

Dark Night of the Soul

The fourth watch of the night (3 am – 6 am) was just before the morning hours began to dawn in light. In terms of spiritual push-ups, Christ is training His disciples (and us) to do our “push-ups of faith” and to trust in His mercy, even during our darkest hour.

“If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear?” – St. John Chrysostom

Mark

verse #12 (scripture passage: “The Walking on the Water“)

But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. Mark 6:49

The Disciples are Terrified

Greek word for ghost in Mark: phantasma (an apparition or specter). The Jesus the disciples saw in their wind tossed boat late that night was not the typical humble image of Jesus we see on Catholic prayer cards. What they probably witnessed was an overwhelming theophany of the Lord before them that utterly terrified them all.

The had all seen Him and were terrified. Mark 6:50

What is a Theophany of the lord and what does it have to do with a ghost?

A theophany of the Lord is an intense presence of the triune God before human beings. And example would be the transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and John. A ghost is of the spirit realm. The Jesus the disciples saw walking on waves before them in the dark of the night would have had parallels to seeing a ghost.

Angels, Ghosts, and Fear

The same can be said when angels manifest before human beings. Like seeing a ghost, their presence has a frightening effect on us mortals. Consider the shepherds’ reaction when an angel of the Lord appeared to them on Christmas Eve night out in the fields.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. Luke 2:8-9

Luke

verse #13 (scipture passage: “The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem“)

But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Luke 24:37-39

Greek word for Ghost in St. Luke’s Gospel

The Greek word for ghost in Luke: pneuma (a spirit). In other verses of the Gospels, a spirit is most often in reference to the Holy Spirit, or conversely, a demon (Mt 12:43).

The Greek word for angel is angelos. Both angel and spirit are mentioned here:

And the angel (angelos) said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit (pneuma) will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35

Jesus Commends His Spirit (Pneuma) to the father

Consider Jesus’ last words just before He expired on the cross:

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (pneuma)”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46b

Jesus is likely talking about His spirt separating from His body upon passing. When Jesus appeared before His apostles in His resurrected body, He assures them He is not a “spirit” (pneuma). Jesus says nothing to them about being a ghost (phantasma).

the resurrected Jesus is not a ghost or disembodied spirit

Jesus proves His resurrected body in the presence of His apostles by having them touch Him, and He ate a piece of baked fish before them (Lk 24:42-43).

“Jesus does not speak these words of some spiritual and invisible man, for a spirit has not bones nor flesh. “ – St. Irenaeus

Ghosts, Spirits, Angels, and Demons

This table should help provide clarification for the preceding Gospel verses:

English Word	Greek Word	Gospel Verse
Ghost	Phantasma	Mt 14:26 ; Mk 6:49
Spirit	Pneuma	Lk 24:37 ; Lk 24:39
Angel	Angelos	Lk 1:35
Demon	Pneuma	Mt 12:43

7. What Does the Catechism of the Catholic Church Say About Ghosts?

The Church has no official teaching on the mystery of ghosts. Ghosts are, however, mentioned at least twice in the Catechism so there is acknowledgement on some level that ghosts exist. Ghosts are mentioned in reference to the resurrected Jesus appearing before His disciples. Jesus assures His disciples that He is in His body.

On the Third Day He Rose from the Dead

The Appearance of the Risen One

CCC 644 Even when faced with the reality of the risen Jesus the disciples are still doubtful, so impossible did the thing seem: they thought they were seeing a ghost. “In their joy they were still disbelieving and still wondering.” .

The Condition of Christ’s Risen Humanity

CCC 645 By means of touch and the sharing of a meal, the risen Jesus establishes direct contact with his disciples. He invites them in this way to recognize that he is not a ghost and above all to verify that the risen body in which he appears to them is the same body that had been tortured and crucified, for it still bears the traces of his Passion.

8. What Can Families Do If Their House is Haunted By a Ghost?

House Blessings

Catholic families that are afflicted with preternatural activity in their homes should seek guidance from their parish priest. Perhaps the house just needs a blessing from the priest. House blessings should be administered by a Catholic priest in 2 instances:

Priest blesses the home upon move-in.
Priest blesses the home on an annual basis.

Plenary Indulgences for Deceased Souls

CCC 1471 “An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.

Per Fr. Ripperger, disembodied spirits of deceased souls that are in homes will often appear and disappear. They are generally not focused on the inhabitants of the home.

2 Primary Reasons Why Ghosts Haunt Houses

Whenever these ghosts appear in homes, it is basically for two (2) reasons:

Reason #1: The sin(s) of the ghost’s time in purgatory is connected to the house.
Reason #2: The house is the place where they actually died.

“As Catholics, we believe the Church has the power to grant through the prayers being offered up a term called “a plenary indulgence,” which is basically a removal of the requirement of all the time the deceased soul has to spend in purgatory. A lot of times what we will do is go into the house, say Mass in the house, offer up a plenary indulgence, the apparition stops, and the person stops appearing.” – Fr. Ripperger

13 Amazing Things to Know About St. Michael the Archangel

Angels, Spiritual Warfare

St. Michael the Archangel is the leader of God’s armies of angels. He is one of the seven angels who stand before the throne of God. St. Michael is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. St. Michael defeated the dragon in the Book of Revelation.

1. The Meaning of the Name St. Michael

“Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform.” – St. Gregory

The Name St. Michael

The name of St. Michael in Hebrew (Mikha’el) is a battle cry. There are several variations, but they all point to God in heaven, whom St. Michael serves with zeal.

Who is like God?

Who is as God?

Who can compare with God?

2. St. Michael in Sacred Scripture

Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Revelation 12:7a

5 Key Verses About St. Michael the Archangel

There are five Bible verses that mention St. Michael in the Bible. Three verses about St. Michael are from the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. One verse is from the Letter of St. Jude in the New Testament, and one well known verse is in Revelation.

#	Reference	Description	Verse
1.	Archangels	Michael, one of the chief princes…	Daniel 10:13
2.	Archangels	Supports me / Michael your prince…	Daniel 10:21
3.	Archangel	There shall arise Michael / great prince…	Daniel 12:1
4.	Warrior	Michael / contended with the devil…	Jude 1:9
5.	Warrior	War in heaven / Michael battled the devil…	Revelation 12:7

Old Testament

The Book of Daniel

At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since the nation began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Daniel 12:1

In the Book of Daniel, St. Michael is called “a great prince.” He is the patron and protector of the nation of Israel. St. Michael, along with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, present our petitions before the throne of God. St. Michael is the guardian angel of the people of God, and he protects the people of God (Dan 12:1).

New Testament

The Letter of Jude

Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9

St. Michael quotes from the book of Zechariah (Zech 3:2).

What might surprise many Catholics is that there is consideration to be held that the Devil is waiting in God’s heavenly courtroom to accuse us and claim rights to us from the sins throughout our lives. In the Book of Zechariah, Satan (Hebrew: the accuser) stood ready to accuse the High Priest Joshua, but the angel of the LORD rebuked him:

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, while the adversary stood at his right side to accuse him. And the angel of the LORD said to the adversary, “May the LORD rebuke you, O adversary; may the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Zechariah 3:1-2a

Adversary: Hebrew satan, here, the prosecuting attorney, a figure in the Lord’s heavenly courtroom. Source: USCCB

In the Letter of Jude, St. Michael was most likely sent by God to bury the body of Moses when he died in the land of Moab (Dt 34:5), but the Devil also claimed rights to the body of Moses. The warrior angel St. Michael disputed with Satan and rebuked him.

May the Lord rebuke you!

“The common interpretation is, that St. Michael conveyed the body of Moses out of the way, and from the knowledge of the Israelites, lest they should pay to it some idolatrous worship; whereas the devil, for that end, would have it buried, so that the people might know the place and adore it.” Source: George Leo Haydock

3 Ways to Help Defend us from the Devil

Fr. Gabriel Amorth (1925-2016), former chief exorcist of the Vatican and a champion in Catholic spiritual warfare, had this to say to the Devil about being protected from him in an interview from the book God is More Beautiful Than the Devil:

I am wrapped in the mantle of Our Lady; what can you do to me? I have St. Michael the Archangel on my side, try fighting with him. I have my guardian angel watching over me lest I be touched; you cannot do anything. – Fr. Gabriel Amorth,

We might conclude from Fr. Amorth to do 3 things to help stay protected from the Devil, especially at the hour of death when our souls go up to God for judgement:

Stay close to the Blessed Mother in this life and pray her rosary every day.
Pray the St. Michael Prayer devoutly, especially at the end of Mass.
Pray the Guardian Angel Prayer devoutly every day.

New Testament

Revelation

Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back. Revelation 12:7

St. Michael leads God’s armies of angels into war against Satan (Rev 12:7-9). According to St. Bede, the word “heaven” in the Revelation 12:7 verse signifies the Church. St. Michael and his angels fight against the devil for the Church by the will of God. He also prays for the Church. Did St. Michael defeat the devil similar to the way David defeated Goliath? Surely, battle lines were drawn, but St. Michael put his faith in God with his battle cry that must have been heard over the cosmos, “Who is like God!!”

3. Michael of the Morning Prayer

“Michael, Michael of the morning, Fresh chord of heaven adorning, keep me safe today. And in times of temptation drive the Devil away. Amen.”

That is the Michael of the Morning Prayer. It is a prayer that was prayed devoutly by a young Marine that was wounded during the Korean War in 1950. According to the Christian Marine, St. Michael the Archangel saved his life on the battlefield!

You can hear the broadcast of the soldier’s angelic encounter here:

4. The Importance of St. Michael

Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. Daniel 10:13b

St. Michael the Archangel is important because it was his zeal and love for the glory of God that allowed him to rise up and rally all of the good angels of heaven to defeat the dragon, Satan, and his demons. St. Michael also escorts faithful souls to heaven.

“Deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell engulf them not, that they fall not into darkness; but let Michael, the holy standard-bearer, bring them into the holy light.” – The Mass for the Dead, Offertory

5. St. Michael in Spiritual Warfare

The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of St. Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is still alive and active in the world. – St. Pope John Paul II

St. Michael’s Assistance in Spiritual Warfare

I read in a Msgr. Stephen Rossetti blog post what a powerful force St. Michael is in our ongoing struggles of spiritual warfare against the Devil. A possessed soul seeking healing from the Church recently affirmed the glorious power of St. Michael:

David added, “It’s torture to be there, with all of the statues, and pictures that surround me.” He went on, “All of the people and the priest praying is such a loud noise that it makes me so angry.” And he concluded, “When they say the St. Michael prayer, I can hear the demons screaming. It’s so horrible and frightening and painful.”

You can read Msgr. Rossetti’s post here: Exorcist Diary #195

6. St. Michael’s Role in the Church

“In the first coming Christ endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels.” – St. Cyril of Jerusalem

St. Michael’s Involvement in the Church

St. Michael is engaged in a number of roles in the Church:

St. Michael is called upon by God to be protector of the Church.
St. Michael still battles against Satan to help save souls from him.
St. Michael escorts into heaven those who have died to God’s judgment.
St. Michael is venerated by the Church (also St. Gabriel and St. Raphael).

“Until 1970 the prayers in the liturgy addressed St. Michael as the angel who presented the soul for judgement.” Source: Angels of God The Bible, The Church and the Heavenly Hosts, Mike Aquilina

7. St. Michael, Patron of Occupations

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he saves them. Psalms 34:8

Patron Occupations of St. Michael

Although some occupations may receive patron protection from St. Michael, if we do him and his angels homage by fearing the LORD and praying the Angelus at 6am, noon, and 6pm each day, surely he will be there for us, just as we are there for him.

Patron Occupations

Bankers
Doctors
EMTs
Firemen
Grocers
Law Enforcement
Mariners
Military Personnel
Paramedics
Paratroopers
Police Officers
Soldiers

Patron of Families

St. Michael and his angels can also help keep families protected from the Devil. Blessed St. Michael statues, consecrations of families and homes to St. Michael, and praying the Angelus should prove to be effective in spiritual warfare for families.

“One of the things we found effective in creating a good atmosphere in the home among the parents is if they get up and pray the Angelus every day at 6, noon, and 6. There is something about that prayer, it protects people in their spiritual warfare…we are trying to figure out what causes it. We think part of it is the discipline of praying it daily.” – Fr. Chad Ripperger, exorcist

Patron of Soldiers in Battle

St. Michael the Archangel helps to protect soldiers in combat. Michael A. Monsoor, a courageous Navy SEAL, saved the life of a wounded teammate in a dangerous combat situation. The teammate said that as he was being taken out of harm’s way by Michael Monsoor to safety, he saw Angel wings completely surround them.

But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3

Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, ended up giving his own life to save the life of his teammates in battle. He was named after St. Michael the Archangel and exemplifies the angel’s virtues.

8. St. Michael the Archangel Statue

Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord… Daniel 3:38

Blessed St. Michael the Archangel Statues

I heard a well known exorcist, Fr. Chad Ripperger, advise all Catholic families to keep a blessed statue of St. Michael in their house for spiritual protection.

Consider asking a priest to give a sacramental statue of St. Michael a prayer of blessing over the statue to provide you and your family spiritual protection in your home.

You can read about my own experience with a blessed St. Michael statue: Archangels

9. Angelic Characteristics of St. Michael

“Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power.” – St. Gregory

St. Michael, Protector Angel

St. Michael helps to protect God’s people. He appears as patron and protector of Israel in the Book of Daniel. Also in the Book of Daniel, St. Michael contends with a principality. We read from the words of the Archangel Gabriel to Daniel:

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. Daniel 10:13

Not only is St. Michael a great protector of the people of God, but he can also help us to better understand the events that surround us in our own spiritual warfare, and St. Michael is known to present our petitions before the throne of God in heaven.

“You will need the help of St. Michael living in this world.” – St. Padre Pio

St. Michael, Warrior Angel

St. Michael is a warrior angel of God. He is the leader of the armies of angels of God. He is the only angel in the Bible mentioned as an archangel of God.

In addition to his involvement in the Book of Daniel, the Letter of Jude, and in Revelation, the Church Fathers also believed that St. Michael was the angel in a number of other passages in the Bible, including several of the angelic appearances in the Book of Genesis and the commander angel who appeared in the Book of Joshua.

“I am the commander of the army of the LORD…” Joshua 5:14a

“St. Michael has always been the warrior Angel, fighting first Satan and his demons from the beginning, then, in the course of time, all the enemies of God’s own people. Source: The Angels in Catholic Teaching and Tradition, Fr. Pascal Parente

10. The Sword of St. Michael

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

St. Michael with His Sword

St. Michael is often seen with a sword in his hand in religious art and with St. Michael statues. There has been a traditional view that it was St. Michael who held the fiery sword in the Garden of Eden to protect the tree of life after the expulsion of Adam and Eve, although Genesis does say it was guarded by God’s cherubim angels. There has also been a view held that if an angel is not mentioned by name in the Old Testament, it is St. Michael! If that is accurate, he was very active throughout the Old Testament.

3 Verses About Angels with Swords

All three verses below about angels with swords are from the Old Testament Bible.

The Book of Joshua

This verse is about the Commander Angel, the commander of the army of the LORD.

While Joshua was near Jericho, he raised his eyes and saw one who stood facing him, drawn sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you one of us or one of our enemies?” Joshua 5:13

The Book of First Chronicles

David, who had slayed the giant Goliath, was fearful of the sword of the angel.

But David could not go into his presence to inquire of God, for he was fearful of the sword of the angel of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 21:30

The Book of Daniel

The angel with sword in hand in one of the last passages in the Book of Daniel.

“Under an oak,” he said. “Your fine lie has cost you also your head,” said Daniel; “for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two so as to destroy you both.” Daniel 13:59

11. St. Michael the Archangel Feast Day

Praise Him, all you His angels. Psalms 148:2a

The Feast Day of the Archangels is September 29

The Feast Day for St. Michael the Archangel is September 29. The feast day originated honoring St. Michael for centuries. The other two named angels in the Bible, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, were celebrated on different days of the year. Earlier this century, the three archangel days were unified on the feast day of September 29th.

“There was silence in heaven when the dragon fought with Michael the archangel. – Then I heard a loud voice crying out: Salvation, glory and power belong to the almighty God.” Source: From the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume IV p.1435

12. God’s Archangels in the Bible

For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Characteristics of Archangels

Q. Mention some Archangels and tell what they did. A. The Archangel Michael drove Satan out of heaven; the Archangel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin that she was to become the Mother of God. The Archangel Raphael guided and protected Tobias. Source: The Baltimore Catechism

Seven Archangels of God

In the Book of Tobit, the archangel Raphael mentions that he is one of seven archangels who stand before the throne of God. Only three of the seven are named in the Bible: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. There are, however, a number of symbolic references to the seven archangels in the Bible. According to St. Lawrence of Brindisi, who is a Doctor of the Church, the seven archangels are symbolized by such things as the seven stars in the right hand of God and the seven torches in Revelation.

Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. Revelation 4:5b

Other Characteristics of Archangels

Archangels announce the plans of God.
Archangels are charged to protect God’s people.
Archangels are ready to guide and direct God’s people.
Archangels can present personal and family prayers before God.
Archangel translates as “chief angel” in Greek.
Archangels are members of one of the nine (9) choirs of angels.
Archangels are generally known as the 8^th of the 9^th or the second lowest rank.
Archangels are known by the following three: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
The word archangel only appears twice in the Bible (1 Thes 4:16 and Jude 1:9).
St. Michael and the archangels function as God’s messengers.

“Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.” – St. Gregory

The 2 Archangel Verses in the Bible

#	Reference	Description	Verse
1.	Christ’s Return	The voice / archangel / trumpet of God…	1 Thess 4:16
2.	Warrior Angel	Michael / contended with the devil…	Jude 1:9

13. St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Portrayal of the Battle of Good and Evil in the Heavens

The Prayer of St. Michael

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel PDF: St. Michael Prayer

In response to the rise of evil in the world, Pope Leo XIII prudently instructed the Church in 1886 to pray his Prayer to St. Michael at the end of every Mass.

Many parishes, recognizing the magnitude of the spiritual warfare going on within the Church and in the world we live in today, are zealously opting to pray Pope Leo XXIII’s powerful St. Michael the Archangel Prayer at the end of the Mass.

“And from this the Mass derives its name … the deacon on festival days ‘dismisses’ the people at the end of the Mass, by saying: ‘Ite, missa est,’ that is, the victim, Jesus, has been sent to God through the angel, so that it may be accepted by God.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Michael, Defend Us in Battle…

Let us pray for St. Michael’s intercession to defend us in battle. Amen!

Then war broke out in heaven; Michael his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. Revelation 12:7-12a

St. Padre Pio’s 3 Simple Weapons for Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

St. Padre Pio is a beloved saint of the Catholic Church, and he was a warrior when it came to spiritual warfare. What made him such a powerful saint? Perhaps it was his simplicity. He had 3 simple weapons he used in his spiritual warfare, and in such a complicated world, it is refreshing to contemplate St. Padre Pio’s saintly wisdom.

It is a real simple spiritual formula to live by: “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry.”

These 3 simple, yet powerful weapons of spiritual warfare were proclaimed by one of the most famous and miraculous saints of the 20^th century, St. Padre Pio.

“I want to be only a poor Friar who prays…Pray, Hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayers…Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart. In fact, on some occasions, you should speak to Him only with your heart.” – St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Cappuchin friar and priest (1887-1968 A.D.)

Spiritual Warfare Weapon #1: Pray

Like St. Padre Pio said, prayer is your #1 weapon. Saints such as St. Augustine and St. Alphonsis Liguori, both doctors of the Church, have warned that without prayer, there will be no union with God. Entire books have been written about prayer. I believe St. Padre Pio’s favorite prayer was the rosary, but if you have not been praying at all, you might start out with The Lord’s Prayer, the perfect prayer. Jesus instructs us…

“This is how you are to pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

I read a heartfelt reflection from a 19^th century monk included in the Magnificat earlier this year. He said in life, “the chief fruit is always Christ.” He said if you want to live a fruitful life for the Lord, you have to stay connected with Him, and we do this by means of prayer, scripture study, and frequenting the Church sacraments.

Anyone starting out might try praying the Lord’s Prayer throughout the day until you have memorized and included more prayers in your spiritual arsenal.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Here are some shorter prayers that can be prayed throughout the day:

The Jesus Prayer

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

The Hail Mary Prayer

“Hail Mary! Full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”

I found the Hail Mary is highly effective to neutralize any negativity as it is forced to scurry back into the darkness at just the mentioning of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Prayer of Venerable Maria Consolata Betrone

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you. Save souls. Amen.”

In regards to the Lord’s Prayer, I learned from a spiritual warfare expert that this is an ideal prayer to pray for spiritual protection because there is a petition to the Father for deliverance. Most all of us are probably in need of deliverance healing on some level. A devotion to the Lord’s Prayer will help us find mercy and healing in God.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8

Forgiveness – is also very important in spiritual warfare. Please note that the petition for forgiveness is at the very center of the Lord’s Prayer. Forgiveness is also the first thing Jesus mentions after instructing us how to pray in St. Matthew’s Gospel.

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15

Spiritual Warfare Weapon #2 Hope

There is a book written about St. Padre Pio titled, Padre Pio Man of Hope by Renzo Allegri. Saints suffer as much as anybody on earth, and probably more intensely than others. Here’s a list of tribulations St. Padre Pio had to endure throughout his life:

Persecution

Humiliation

Accusations

Slanders

Trials

Condemnations

“Throughout his life, in the midst of the most difficult trials, St. Padre Pio always looked to the future with a spirit of optimism, faith, and love,” – Renzo Allegri

Biblical optimism. Hope. I believe Padre was able to hope, hang on, and effectively deal with such horrendous sufferings he endured because the chief fruit in his life was Christ. He devoted his whole life to Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Think about what the apostle St. Paul says about suffering in the book of Romans:

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. Romans 16:16-18

Here is an excellent description about the theological virtue of hope:

What is hope? – Hope is the virtue by which we firmly trust in God, Who is all powerful and faithful to His promises, will in His mercy give us eternal happiness and the means to obtain it.

God promised to give man eternal life, and the means to obtain it. In this promise is our hope.

He that puts his trust in me shall inherit the land, and shall possess my holy mount. Isaiah 57:13

Hope is necessary for salvation. Our hope must be firmly founded in God, Who promised to give us the means for salvation.

Source: A Manual of Religion My Catholic Faith A Catechism in Pictures

Consider this Divine Office excerpt from a Church Father, St. Peter Chrysologus.

If you hope for mercy – show mercy.

If you look for kindness – show kindness.

If you want to receive – give.

Spiritual Warfare Weapon #3: Don’t Worry

One of the reasons why St. Padre Pio said for us to not worry about anything is because worrying diminishes the power with our #1 spiritual weapon, prayer. We want to have confidence in God working in every aspect of our lives.

For perspective, here is a list of some of antonyms for the word “worry.”

Calmness

Cheer

Confidence

Contentment

Happiness

Peace

Reassurance

Sureness

Trust

Think about the central message of Divine Mercy: “Jesus, I trust in you.” St. Padre Pio knew worry was useless because God is in control. Jesus controls every aspect of spiritual warfare in our lives. God often uses the diabolic we have to combat to help form us into who He calls us to be. If St. Padre Pio’s life had been without temptations and chastisements, would he have been the same beloved saint we cherish today?

Recap

“Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry.”

If we want to strive to obtain perfection, we can include three of St. Padre Pio’s primary weapons for spiritual warfare in our own internal spiritual storehouse.

The chief fruit is Christ. Pray much to God like St. Padre Pio did.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Philippians 4:6

Put all of your hope and trust in Jesus and do not worry.

Trust in the LORD and do good that you may dwell in the land and live secure. Psalms 37:3

The Spirit of Jesus is working in our lives beyond our understanding:

“There’s not a single aspect of the spiritual life in which we must not be working at in some degree if we are going to obtain perfection. Either you’re moving upstream in the spiritual life or you are floating downstream.

There’s no treading water.

One of the biggest or most unfortunate things among a lot of Catholics is they like to reach a certain plateau where they are staying out of mortal sin, they might have a few venial sins they’re struggling with, they feel comfortable in their spiritual life, they might be going to Mass regularly, they’re receiving the sacraments and life just seems kind of comfy, and they know that in order to eradicate those last imperfections in their life, there’s going to have to be a lot of suffering and a lot of self-denial, and so they shy away from it.

Demons don’t let you do that.

God allows demons in your life precisely to drag you one way or the other. Obviously, God allows them in our lives so that we can grow in virtue. – F r . Chad Ripperger, Exorcist

St. Padre Pio, Pray for us. Amen +

3 Bible Verses about Staying Positive Amid Suffering

Sacred Scripture

The Bible has verses about staying positive, especially amid suffering. Staying positive in life is important. It is a difficult world we live in today, and we can often experience problems, adversity, setbacks, and suffering. What we consider to be problems can often be solutions God has given us from heaven to help us achieve our salvation.

What do you mean by salvation?

Salvation as in being judged worthy by Christ to be with Him forever in heaven. If you think about the saints, many of them suffered tremendously, and that suffering, given to them from God, helped form them into the saints we know and love today.

“The greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you.” – St. Padre Pio

What does it mean to stay positive?

Staying positive means always focusing on the good and having optimism that things will work out for the best, especially with our eternal salvation in mind.

How do I stay positive amid suffering?

Staying positive amid suffering is a recognition that the suffering is God’s will for you, and the purification from the suffering will help bring about a greater good in you.

The Paradox of Suffering

It is a mysterious paradox that suffering, when offered up to Jesus on the cross, has redemptive value, and it will help form you into the saint God wills for you to be.

Jesus Advises Us in the Gospel

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Mark 8:36

It doesn’t do you any good to “have it all” as they say: looks, talents, wealth, pleasure, power, fame, easy life, etc. if it only leads to eternal destruction in the end.

Jesus warns us in the Bible many people reject the call to walk the path of the cross:

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14

Staying Positive in Your Discipleship

Staying Positive in Christ’s Love for You

In your discipleship, stay positive in Christ and stay close to Him on the cross.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

“The cross is the Father’s will, the glory of the only begotten, the joy of the Spirit, the pride of the angels, the guarantee of the Church, Paul’s boast, the bulwark of the saints, and the light of the entire world.” – St. John Chrysostom

3 Bible Verses About Staying Positive

#1 Bible Verse about Hope in Hard Times

Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

It is good to know God is with us in the struggle. The verse is taken from a passage about God being the Liberator of Israel. In the same way, acknowledge your sufferings, offer them up to Jesus on the cross. We hope in Jesus for his grace to help us.

Q. What is Hope? A. Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it. Source: The Baltimore Catechism

#2 Staying Positive in the Book of Proverbs

A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Let this proverb serve as a reminder that staying positive will require persistent work on our part within the interior life. We have to meet Jesus in the middle of the field.

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you.” – St. Augustine

We can say ardently and joyfully with gratitude and good faith again and again:

“God is going to get me through this,” and to feel it in your whole being.

A glad heart lights up the face. Proverbs 15:13a

It can be the good you feel when you do good for another or for a loved one.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25b

It can be the joy you feel with God in prayer, Word, and sacrament. The main thing is to always strive to cultivate joy, gratitude, and the positivity within.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, forgiveness. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy…” – St. Francis of Assisi

#3 Inspirational Verse about God’s Providence

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. Jeremiah 29:11

A Future of Hope

Long before you were born, God had already established His plans for you.

Whether it was the job you wanted, the person you wanted to marry, and that kind of thing, if you thought it should have worked out, but it did not, stay positive and know it was not God’s will for you. God has better plans for you! Our hope is in Him.

Trust in God’s Providence

The human heart plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps. Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures. Proverbs 19:21

Our steps are from the LORD; how, then, can mortals understand their way? Proverbs 20:24

I know, LORD, that no one chooses their way, Nor determines their course nor directs their own step. Jeremiah 10:23

Recap

I hope this post might help you to stay positive amid suffering. Let’s review the verses one more time, and let us consider these verses are from the mind of Christ.

Staying Positive Amid Suffering

# 1 Have hope: God is with you amid suffering.

#2 Be mindful to cultivate joy within and stay positive in Christ.

#3 Trust in God’s Providence leading you in your life.

Lastly, we are called by Christ to have gratitude in all things and to keep the faith +

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

The Light of Christ and the Love of His Word

Sacred Scripture

Jesus tells us in the Gospels He is the light of the world. In our Catholic faith, we believe that without Christ, there would be nothing but darkness and chaos. Looking around at the world today, it would seem there are many problems. And without the love of God, the more darkness and chaos there seems to be: in the soul, in the family, in the country, in the battle the Church endures, and in the whole world. The antidote for darkness is light. We find God’s light in His Word.

The Word of God

Jesus encourages us to be blessed in His light by living our lives in His Word.

“…Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28

Really, the only thing to be discussed in this post is how Sacred Scripture and Jesus Himself proclaim to us that God is light. When we take in His light (the Word, sacraments, prayer, fellowship, etc.) we ourselves are illuminated by His light.

“No one who lights a lamp hides it away or places it under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand so that those who enter might see the light. Luke 11:33

The Light of the Family

While growing up, we would go to my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve for dinner, presents, and family fellowship together. My grandmother would put an illuminated candle for Christmas decoration in the window by the front door where we walked in to the greetings of family, joy, hospitality, and love. We could see the light of the candle while driving to their house. It was a joyous site to see every year.

“Our lighted candles are a sign of the Divine splendor of the One who comes to expel the dark shadows of evil and to make the whole universe radiant with the brilliance of His eternal light. Our candles also show how bright our souls should be when we go to meet Christ.” – St. Sophronius

In the darkness of a cold winter’s night, it was if the candle proclaimed to the world:

“There is love in this house!” There is warmth in this house! There is hospitality in this house! There is family in this house! You are welcome in this house!”

The Light of the Church

The light of the family candle is the same light Christ proclaims about the Church:

“There is love in my Father’s house!” There is warmth in my Father’s house! There is hospitality in my Father’s house! You are family in my Father’s house! You are welcome in my Father’s house!”

The light of the candle that illuminates the Church is the presence of Christ in the Tabernacle. It is Christ in the reading of the Word. It is the priests and parishioners who believe in God and who faithfully receive Him in the Word and the Sacraments.

The Light of the Saints

The more we receive the Word in our lives, the more we are illuminated by His Word.

“That brilliant lamp which was lit for the sake of salvation should always shine in us.” – St. Chromatius

The Light of Religious Orders

If you observe the men and women of religious orders living out their vocations, they have a certain light about them. Christ shines through them. It is God’s light that exemplifies holiness from the Word, from prayers, and from the sacraments.

The Light of Parishes

Light is also noticeable at the parish level. A few years ago, we mailed rosary books to parishes in all 50 states. It did not matter what state it was, when you looked at those people on their parish websites, they looked to be at peace. This is the light of Christ working in them and through them. They are the light of Christ in a fallen world.

The Light of Christ and the Love of His Word.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. John 3:16

This image of Jesus suffering on the cross proclaims the light of his Divine love for us.

Holy Reading from the Bible

There is reading and there is Holy Reading. These ten verses from Sacred Scripture will help give us assurance of how good reading the Word is for our souls.

God’s light cannot be contained. When you absorb the Word within you, it becomes part of you. We are disciples of Christ. We are called by Christ to shine forth His light.

1. The Lord Brightens the Darkness.

For you, LORD, give light to my lamp; my God brightens my darkness. Psalms 18:29

2. The Lord is My Light and My Salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? Psalms 27:1

3. In God’s Light We See Light.

For with You is the fountain of life, and in Your light we see light. Psalms 36:10

4. God’s Light and Fidelity are Our Guide.

Send Your light and Your fidelity, that they may be my guide; Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling, Psalms 43:3

5. God’s Word is a Light for Our Path

Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. Psalms 119:105

6. The Teaching of God’s Word is a Light.

For the command is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and a way to life are the reproofs that discipline. Proverbs 6:23

7. The Word of God is a Consuming Fire.

The Light of Israel will become a fire, the Holy One, a flame, that burns and consumes its briers and its thorns in a single day. Isaiah 10:17

8. The Word Leads Us into Christ’s Light.

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy! though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD is my light. Micah 7:8

9. God’s Light Dispels the Darkness

While He kept His lamp shining above my head, and by His light I walked through darkness; Job 29:3

10. The Word of God Illuminates Us.

If your whole body is full of light, and no part of it is in darkness, then it will be as full of light as a lamp illuminating you with its brightness.” Luke 11:36

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

God’s Peace in the Midst of Today’s Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

In today’s spiritual warfare, there are many things the world, the flesh, and the devil can despair us with in order to try and drag us down in gloom, depression, and anguish. St. Paul, certainly no stranger to spiritual warfare in his day, encourages us to combat any anxiety we may experience with God’s peace. We find God’s peace in Christ through our prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings to Him.

St. Paul provides us encouragement about prayer in his letter to the Philippians:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

What is St. Paul saying?

St. Paul is saying that if you are suffering from anxiety, fear, or any apprehensions, call on God in prayer and petition, and give God thanks for all of the graces and blessings He has given you. The apostle’s instruction is especially effective with any problems you may be currently experiencing in your life. If you go through life’s battles with the Lord Jesus, His peace will help get you through it, no matter what it is.

Spiritual Protection in Prayer

There is a greater degree of spiritual protection we receive from God when we consistently pray to Him about any problems we are experiencing in life. And that protection might make all the difference in us sleeping soundly at night, and also experiencing the peace that comes from Christ when we pray to Him during the day.

“Paul insists that if we pray about our problems rather than worry about them, God will post a guard around our minds to protect us from the doubts and disturbances that weaken our confidence in His fatherly care.” Source: Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament

Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Church dedicates the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which seems appropriate in the month of “the big June sun.” As the Son shines brightly in our hearts, let us consistently pray to Jesus and give thanks for all we have been given.

The importance of prayer and gratitude are especially important for Catholic families.

“Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise Him. For when you come together frequently, Satan’s powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch

In regards to how God answers our prayers, here is a quote from one of the mostly highly trained Catholic spiritual warfare experts in the world, Kyle Clement:

“God doesn’t give us what we want. God gives us what we need.” – Kyle Clement

If I remember correctly, Kyle went on to say in his lecture that everything that happens in our lives providentially by God is directed towards our salvation. Let us stop and give thanks to God for all the blessings and graces we have been given in our lives.

Give Thanks to God

“It is comforting to know that the Lord is at hand…. Here is a medicine to relieve grief and every bad circumstance and every pain. What is it? To pray and to give thanks in everything. He does not wish that a prayer be merely a petition but a thanksgiving for what we have received…How can one make petitions for the future without a thankful acknowledgment of past things? … So one ought to give thanks for everything, even what seems grievous. That is the mark of one who is truly thankful. Grief comes out of the circumstances with their demands. Thanksgiving comes from a soul that has true insight and a strong affection for God.” – St. John Chrysostom

St. Paul also mentions that the Good Lord is always at hand in our lives.

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5

Recap

We should find spiritual peace in Christ if we consistently pray to Him for our needs. As the Church Father St. John Chrysostom says, let us have sincere gratitude in our hearts for everything that has been given to us by God in accord with His providence.

Cast Your Worries Upon God

Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. He will never allow the righteous to stumble. Psalms 55:23

Cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Give Thanks to God

Give thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:20

In word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 7:12

CCC	Reference	Description
1078	Blessing	Adoration and surrender to the Creator in thanksgiving…
2098	Prayer	Prayer of praise and thanksgiving, intercession and petition…
2638	Petition	Every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving…
2648	Joy / Suffering	Every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving…

A Disciple’s Dependence on God

Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Luke 12:22-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil. Matthew 6:25-35