The Heavenly Jackpot

There are angels constantly around us, luckily we cannot see the worst of them.  If we could see and perceive the bad ones we would be driven mad because our fleshly brain could not handle it.  God in His mercy hides many things from us that would do us harm.  But also because of our fallen, fleshly nature we cannot really perceive many of the heavenly things (like the good angels) unless God allows it.

Sometimes He lets me perceive the presence of an angel, or many angels.  This has happened on more than one occasion.

Recently I went into St. Bertrand to go to Holy Mass and I always come in the handicap entrance. As I dipped my hand in the Holy Water Font God allowed me to perceive (not see) the angel that was guarding that Holy Water font.

I stopped in my tracks.  I was aware of him, and I could perceive that he was aware of me and as my hand hovered over the holy water font, he was looking at me.

If God allows you to perceive something, He also allows you to have some knowledge about it.  I knew this angel's job was to guard this Holy Water font for all time.  I knew it held a spear of light which it held at its side ready for battle if needed.

Now understand, I am a Mathematician.  I analyze everything.  So my first thought is, "Why did God allow this?"  God wastes nothing, and if He allows you to perceive something it is either for your good or for the good of another.

Immediately my mind was racing, "Ok, what do I know and how do I use this."  I know that the Angels (all of them) always face the throne of God, no matter where there assignment is.  So whether an angel is assigned to protect you, a church, or a Holy Water font, they always have one face toward the throne of God.

So before I dipped my hand into the font I prayed a prayer under my breath so I knew the angel would hear it.

"Angel of the Holy Water Font, pray for me."

Then God in his grace allowed me to perceive the angels answer.

The angel nodded in assent to my request.

Wow.

Angels are constantly around us, but when God allows you to perceive one (or many), you have just won the proverbial heavenly jackpot.

Using Your Angelic Legion Effectively

Q.  "Are there Legions of Angels?" 

Yes, there are Legions of Angels.  Jesus spoke of twelve Legions of Angels that were available to Him.

And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:52-53)

But never forget, the Demon has also Legions also.   Remember when Jesus went to exorcise the man of the demon that dwelt among the tombs that could not be contained with a chain?  

"Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him,
crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!”  (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.”   (Mark 5: 6-10)

So we know Legions of Angels exist, both on the side of God and on the side of the devil.  

Q.  "How many are in a Legion?"  

We are not given the number directly by God, but perhaps if we look at Roman Legions at the time, we can guess by an indirect way.  

During the time of Jesus a Roman Legion was approximately 5000 soldiers.   This would definitely qualify as "many".  Jesus could command 12 Legions which is 5000x12=60,000. angels.  

Q.  "Who get's access to a Legion?"  

Jesus was Priest, Prophet and King, and He definitely had access to the Legions of Angels, but Jesus also prayed and interceded  for his disciples.   Jesus prayed a lot for others before His Passion.  He gave us the Our Father prayer, He prayed for His disciples when they were weak, He went off alone to pray and He spent all night in prayer.    So those that act in this life as a Priest, Prophet, King, or Intercessory Prayer Warrior are those that have immediate access to a Legion of Angels.    So all Catholic Priests have access to an Angelic Legion that they can call in times of danger.   Also those that lead or rule over nations have access to aLegion.  In addition, those that pray and intercede to the Father for others through the blood and Passion of Jesus also have access to an Angelic Legion.   

Q.  "Don't those that serve the poor and the Church get a Legion?" 

We can ask God for any good thing for us, but usually those that serve out of love of their heart, their Guardian Angel is sufficient protection.  

Q. Why do Priests, Intercessors (Prayer Warriors) and Rulers need a Legion?

Priests are greatly hated by the devil because of the celebration of the Holy Mass.   Also when a Priest has his hands anointed at the time of his ordination, the Honor of God is placed on His hands and as a result, when the Priest celebrates or administers the Sacraments, no matter the state of the soul of the Priest, God will always honor the work done through the Hands of the Priest.  If a Priest obeys the Church and with good faith performs the Sacraments, they can not be invalidated.   So the devil in no way can invalidate the Sacraments, he can only try to persuade souls to stay away from them. 

Prayer warriors, snatch souls directly from the devil's hands, and even plead to God before the souls judgement at the Holy Mass and take away the accusers power to seek a soul for all eternity into hell.   If a prayer warrior is in a state of grace, and participates in the Holy Mass, and when the heavens are opened at the word of the Priest, then the warrior pleads to God in Heaven for souls not to be lost. By seeking the conversion of the blackest hearts, the devil is completely impotent and can do nothing.   

Rulers of Nations also have great enemies and if they are friends with God can seek an Angelic Legion to protect them in times of danger.

Q.  " How do we use our Legion?"   

1)  Your Guardian Angel is in charge of your Legion.   You should always respect the place of your Guardian Angel as the primary Angel chosen by God to protect, lead and guide you to heaven.  So any placement of your Legion or sending out an angel from your Legion, must be done through your Guardian Angel.  

2)  You can ask your Guardian Angel to place your Legion around you in times of danger, or when you are vulnerable, like at night when you sleep.   

3) You can send out an Angel from your Legion to one who is in danger, or whom you wish to provide extra protection.  Padre Pio did this often.  However, I have to warn you, if you send out an Angel from your Legion, do not FORGET TO RETRIEVE HIM.  God will honor your word and if you do not retrieve your Legion Angel, that angel will be with that soul for all eternity.  

Q. "When are times when I need to use my Legion?" 

1) If you are praying for the souls in Purgatory in a cemetery, (day or night) before you get out of your vehicle, ask your Guardian Angel to place the Legion around you.    It is no coincidence that ghost hunters go to cemeteries and get results.  These are not heavenly angels they are encountering, but demonic ones.  

(Article: "Demon's Don't Carry Identity Cards.") 


Also we have to be aware that souls that die in mortal sin are condemned souls and can also seek us harm.  Use your Legion.   

We are not to fear, we are to strive forward, fighting the good fight, even though we are given knowledge of the danger is around is.  God WILL DEFEND US!  Never doubt it.  

2)  When you are vulnerable, or feel uneasy.  If you are sleeping, before you go to sleep ask that your Guardian Angel place the Legion around you.    Sometimes I take a catnap in my car, I definitely use my Legion at this time.  

3) Priests should use their Legion anytime they are not on holy ground going out to administer sacraments to the sick, etc. 


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The angels are a wonderful creation of God, don't be afraid to use this gift for your protection and the good of others.  Angels are the most underused gift that God has given us.  

Conversation With My Guardian Angel

Driving Home from Work.

Suddenly I had such a feeling of appreciation of all the times that I had been protected by my Guardian Angel and Saint Michael the Archangel.  I thought I would give thanks to God. 

Me:  "..., my Angel, I know how God has allowed you to protect me in the past when I have gone to battle for souls that are lost, and I thank God and you for this gift.  For you know I will go to battle again soon, as God wills it."

Guardian: "I will be there." 

Me: "I know, and I appreciate that."

Guardian :  "It is not by your appreciation that I serve." 

This is when I realized, that my angel served first out of love for God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and then for the love for me.  

Our Guardian Angels have one of the hardest jobs in Eternity.  First they love God and then they love the soul they have been given to guide, protect and defend on the  souls journey back to God. Angels know no sorrow for they know the plan of the Creator is perfect.  But if they could wish for anything it would be to be able to suffer for those they are in charge of, and then offer this suffering to the Father for them.   Angels cannot do this, because God did it for us on the Cross.  

But God in His mercy left us the gift of offering an oblation of our suffering to God for the salvation of the lost.  "Take up your Cross and follow me."  Not to seek any suffering but by accepting the smallest to the greatest suffering without complaint, and then offering it silently to the Father for the conversion of sinners.  

The Angel can guide, protect, and defend us, but he cannot offer an oblation by his own merit for any soul on Earth.  The closest and Angel comes to offering an Oblation to God for us is when the Angels take the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass before the Throne of God for us. 

The Angels love the most Blessed Trinity so much, and they are made happy to do the least thing in obedience to God so that souls that God loves will not fall into hell.  What joy they must know at this moment........

An Angel's Joy.

The Sin of Judas or "I know best."

Judas Iscariot, a name synonymous with betrayal.  

But the question that everyone wants the answer to is "why?"  

There have been many theories over the centuries, to which I will add my own.  

I think Judas thought he had it all figured out.  He was going to be the big hero of Jesus' Ministry and get the ball rolling.  The motive wasn't the money, the money was just the means to bankroll what he thought was going to happen.  

He had it planned so perfectly. 

Judas was one of the 12, and he must have witnessed the miracles of Jesus.  He knew he was the Messiah, the prophesied King of the Jews, the new King like David to rout the Romans and set up His kingdom on the Earth.  

But there was a problem.  Jesus wasn't doing His miracles for the people that it counted to see them.  The Pharisees even asked to see a sign, but Jesus rebuked their request.  

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful* generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.  Matthew 12:38-39.  

If only they could see what Jesus was and what He could do, then the Pharisees would bow down to Him, the Jews would rise up and defeat the Romans, with Jesus leading them, and the dreamed of Kingdom would be established.  

But how to make that happen?  Maybe if Jesus was forced to perform a miracle for them, they couldn't help but believe.  

Throughout the New Testament it speaks of Jesus speaking with "authority".  I think Judas realized Jesus's authority, and thought if Jesus was among the Pharisees, this authority could not help but express itself.  If Jesus was held prisoner, it could be the catalyst for the establishment of the Kingdom.   

Yes...that would be perfect.  The Pharisees will of course question him and all will be made right.  I will sell them Jesus's location, adding to the purse and then we will have a greater stake to begin the Messiah's Kingdom.

Judas heard what Jesus said about the sign of Jonas, but Judas had another plan...because Jesus didn't really understand how to deal with the Pharisees, whereas Judas had been around them his whole life. 

Judas knew best. 

To Judas kissing Jesus in the garden was a kiss of victory.

It was later, when he realized that all his plans where not materializing as he thought they should that it hit him what he had truly done and who he had really betrayed.  

"They can't crucify Him! He is the Messiah!! NO. NO NO..this isn't what is supposed to happen!"  

His first thought was to return to the temple, to rectify the situation, make it right.   

Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver* to the chief priests and elders,
saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” Matthew 27:3-4

Imagine this.  He had betrayed the Messiah, God in the flesh, now he was rejected by the Priests of the temple.  Where else could he go?

No one on the earth ever faced such ultimate despair that Judas at this moment. 

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Judas's sin was a sin that all of us have committed.  The sin of thinking we know better than God.  We commit this sin by being disobedient, arrogant, or just trying to get our own way no matter what the cost is to others.  

The saddest thing is Judas could have been forgiven. 

You see God was still allowing Judas to breathe, and his heart to beat long after he had betrayed His Son.  God could have struck Judas down anytime he wanted.   God will give so many opportunities for us to turn to Him, no matter how black the sins.  
God was giving Judas a chance.  

The battle for Judas's soul must have been a fierce one between the demons and his Guardian Angel.

But just as Judas was shortsighted in who Jesus was, he also lacked an understanding of the mercy Jesus showed even in His ministry on Earth.

There must have been no hope in a man that had seen a man dead four days raised to life but yet despaired that anything could be done for him.     

God's mercy was with Judas, available to him up even till he threw himself from the tree with the rope around his neck.   But by his own choice and action on that choice, Judas set his own eternity.     

We should never forget that God's mercy is available to all, even the blackest of hearts, until their last breath.  Our job is to tell those farthest from God about God's mercy while there is still time.  

Fearless (Part 1)

So much has happened when I was praying the Stations of the Cross.  The demon has tried everything to scare me off.  He can't.  I won't say I haven't been scared, I have, but I have stood my ground.

On this day, I was praying the Stations of the Cross and begging God for those that were lost.  I was alone in the Church.  I had gotten to the 4th Station - where Jesus meets his Mother.  At that moment, from the back of the Church, every pew in the church sounded like there was someone pounding on it with a large sledgehammer.  It started in the back of the Church and every pew in the Church made the big "BANG!!" noise, and it moved from the back of the Church to the front of the Church in a wave, very fast - took maybe three seconds.

I wasn't afraid, like John Vianney said, you get used to it after awhile.  I know that the demon cannot hurt me unless God allows it.  I wasn't afraid, but then suddenly I felt "reinforcements".  I couldn't see them, but I knew that St. Michael was on my left, and my Guardian Angel was on my right - just behind me.  Whether I wished to continue was up to me.  I wasn't afraid, I knew nothing could touch me, no matter how mad my begging God that souls not fall into hell made the demon.

So I said, "OK, Let's go."  I finished the Stations.*

Be Fearless in face of any evil, for God IS WITH US!!

We are Catholic! We are the front line in the battle for souls...join the fight!

*Oh, and by the way, I checked the pews - there was no damage to them, which considering the noise that was made was astounding. 

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Part 2:  I am shown what was coming after me that day....

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"One Day Your Eyes Will Be Glad To See Me..."

John's Story: 

I died.  I went through the darkness to the light and was before the throne of judgement.  Looking around I saw my Guardian Angel, instantly recognizing him, although this was the first time I had ever laid eyes upon him.   I turned to my left and saw a hideously deformed creature that had nothing by hate and evil in his eyes, especially directed at me.   For the first time since I had breathed my last breath, I was afraid.  There was someone else there also, a woman, I didn't immediately recognize.  I knew where I was, I was at my judgement, and that scared me even worse. 

I hadn't lived the best life, I wasn't really nice to people, kind of selfish really, even in my own family.  Even when I was near death I didn't want to give anything to anyone, not even very many kind words.  Being given a time to die was a great gift, because, although I wasn't a perfect saint, I did have a chance to repair some damage I had done in my family and with God, but as I breathed my last I wondered if it would be enough?

Standing before the Throne of God, I could feel all of my sins in the light of that perfect love that is God.  I cannot even tell you how painful this was.  Every thing I had ever said, done or thought was before the Holy God, and how black was my sin.  Yes, some sin was not there because it had been repaired, but not all.   This is when the demon stepped up and made quite a list of my sins before God, claiming me for his kingdom because of them.  

You can't understand how painful it is to have sin on you and go before a Holy God who you know loves you so much.  The pain is so terrible, you just want to run from God with your shame of sin that is on you.  Even though I knew the demon was right, I wanted God's mercy but didn't know if I could have it.  

Then a voice spoke,  "Lord, will you be merciful to his soul? Lord, please spare him."  I looked around and saw the woman pleading to God on my behalf.  She was crying, begging God to spare me from hell.  Wait, how can that be, I thought there were no tears in heaven?  

Then galaxies collided as God spoke to me, "She is not in heaven, she is on the earth, pleading for you."   I got up the nerve to ask, "Lord, who is this woman?"  The Lord did not speak but showed me who she was.   I had met her in passing at a gas station, I had bumped into her, and even though it was my fault, I called her stupid and clumsy and as I bent down to pick up my keys that I had dropped.  I heard her whisper, "One day by the grace of God your eyes will be glad to see me."  No one else heard her but myself. I just thought she was crazy and went on my way never to think of her again. 

My thoughts were racing, "Why would she intercede for me, I was cruel to her, why would she do that for me?"

The Lord answered my thoughts, "Because she loves Me, and because of her love for Me, she also loves those I love, which includes you." 

Silence.  It seemed like eons passed.  

Then the Lord answered the questions that I still wanted answers to.  

"Because of her love, she has asked for the grace to plead for souls at their judgement that would otherwise face hell even though she is still on the earth.  She offers her tears in supplication to Me so that souls will not be lost."

It was at this moment that demon was sent away empty handed, and I felt God's mercy wash over me because of this woman's love for God, I realized what she said was right.  My eyes where glad to see her. 

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The story you have just read is a fiction, but the prayers are real.  We should pray constantly, and one great way to do it is in your normal routine.  You go to the grocery, there is an old woman ahead of you looking for her checkbook.  Instead of getting frustrated, say a prayer for her, "Lord, please be merciful to this woman at her judgement."  

The judgment is the last stop.  At this point, the soul does not have any more chances to repent, but that doesn't mean that God cannot show mercy.  We must fight for our brethren till the last possible moment so that God may show a soul mercy.   

If you saw someone hanging off a cliff, and you knew you could help them, wouldn't you?  Would it matter if you knew them or not?  What rejoicing you would have with this person after they were safe!  Later would come the exchange of names, etc.  

God is not bound by time, and even though we are, we can take God's timelessness for our brothers and sisters and seek God's mercy at their judgement.  This is no guarantee that the soul will not face Hell, for God has the final say, but we must make every effort and ask God's mercy always. 

Using Your Guardian Angel Effectively

One of God's greatest gifts to us is our Guardian Angel.  He is assigned to us at our conception, and is with us throughout our whole life.  But our Guardian Angel is more than just to protect us various mishaps or evil persons that seek to hinder or even do damage to us.  To know how to effectively communicate with and receive from our Guardian angel all that God wishes us to have, then we have to know more who our Guardian Angel is. 

Who Is He?
The Guardian Angel's back is never turned to God.  In truth, they really don't have 'backs' as such.  The Guardian Angel always has a face turned to God and always has a face turned to you.  The Angel does not turn from God to face you, nor does he turn from you to face God, it is a constant communion, the God with the Angel and the Angel with You.  As a result, there is a constant communication from God to your Guardian Angel for what is best for you in your path to the Father.  The Guardian Angel is always before the throne of God adoring God at all times, and from this constant adoration you are given strength and encouragement and benefit from this direct line to the throne of God.  This is not a free pass into heaven though, for even though we have this grace throughout our life, no angel can by their worship subject what God has given us in our own free will.  For many will face the eternal death of fire of their own free will, Guardian Angel or no.  Free will is truly the only thing we possess and the thing we will be held most accountable for.  It is truly our scariest possession for our free will has both grave and wonderful consequences. 

The Job
A Guardian Angel has three jobs, "Lead, Protect, and Defend."  

Lead:  Our Guardian Angel constantly points to the Throne of God and the path to Heaven as the right way to go.  The Angel constantly puts in the sinners path the image of the Cross of the Lord or other holy words, books, or images to prompt the sinner to choose God.  If the sinner has repented and is on the path of purification then the Angel will direct the soul to what it may need most to obtain the greatest holiness it can.  This can mean that little feeling to not speak when we have a great line to something someone may have said, even if what we may say may not be deemed very spiritual.  Little vices of the soul are put to instruction, by many different methods.  Your angel's job is to help you on your path to holiness, never forget that.

Protect:  Once I stopped at St. Martin de Tours to pray.  It was late by the time I left.  The security guard walked me to my car.  He began to show me pictures of his children.  I was impatient and wanted to leave, but didn't want to seem rude, so I talked with him for a while. When I left and turned on Broadway, a car going about 70 mph ran the red light on a cross street and flew past in front of me.  I knew that if I had not bee delayed those few minutes I would have been in a horrible car wreck.   

Another time I met a man at Church, he had never been to a Catholic Church before so I gave him a little catechism and he sat with me at Holy Mass.   He said some things that concerned me but expressed an interest in the faith.  I said I was willing to meet him for Holy Mass at the Church in his area (Dixie Hwy) and help him learn about the Faith.  The minute Holy Mass was over, I got a phone call calling me away.  Any attempt that he made to communicate with me to meet for Mass after that was garbled or full of static.   This happened several times.  I got it, I was being protected.    I prayed for the man and let it go, and have not heard from him since.  This is a very important lesson, when it is obvious we are being protected, don't run headlong into what you are being protected from! 

Defend:  Our Guardian Angel defends us, as God allows, in ways we shall never truly perceive until we are before the Throne of God.   This is the Guardian Angels last job is to accompany us to the Throne of God for our own personal Judgement.   With God there is no "defense" as there is in a court of law, for the Justice of God is perfect.  You will have no great speeches before God in your defense, for nothing is hidden from the Great I AM, He knows your rising, setting, and the secret designs of your heart for every action and thought.  Your Guardian Angel is not there to defend you against the judgement of God, but to defend you against the attacks of the devil.    Yes, the demon will be there at your judgement seeking to drag you to His kingdom for all eternity.  

Using Your Guardian Angel Effectively.
1.  Pray and ask that your Guardian Angel guide you so that God's will is fulfilled in everything that you say and do today.  
2.  Thank your Guardian Angel for what he does for your at every moment, even if you do not perceive it.  
3.  Ask your Guardian Angel to join you in prayer, (especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament!) especially if the need in the prayer is of a grave matter.  
4.  Remember that your Guardian Angel is not beyond doing tasks that are in the will of God at your bidding.  Send your Guardian Angel (briefly) to those that are in the most desperate need or are on the darkest path.