WHAT IS IDOLATRY?

✝️Statues of Mary and the Saints? 

Is it idolatry?

 “You Shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is the water under the earth; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God….” 

(Ex 20:3-5).

Many Protestant Christians will accuse Catholic Christians of making idols and quote the above text. What they fail to do is understand the above text in its context. Throughout the history of God’s people, there is always a tendency to fall away from the worship of the One, True God and adopt the pagan practice of worshipping false idols. 

In modern times those idols are: money, sex, status, etc. When the Jews were under the bondage of the Egyptians there was a temptation to worship the animal like gods of the Egyptians. Many of the Egyptian gods were made in the images of jackals, birds and other animals. In the above text God is making an direct condemnation of this practice when he says do not make a graven image of anything in heaven, the earth, under the earth and in the water.

God is not condemning the making of all images, just images that one would worship as a false god. Just 5 chapters later in Exodus 25: 17-22 God actually commands Moses to make graven images of two cherub (angels) to be part of the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.

“And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and on cherub on the other end; of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out its wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim.” 

Is God contradicting himself ? 

No, God condemns the practice of making false idols to be worshiped as gods as in the case of the golden calf, not images that are used to aid in the worship of God as in the case of the cherub on the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 32:1 the people said to Aaron “Up, make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” The above text is what God is condemning in Exodus 20, making images or statues and proclaiming them to be gods. Another good reference to God commanding man to make graven images is in Numbers 24:8-9 with the bronze serpent.

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.”

 God is working his life saving grace through a graven image. Our God is a God of materials; always working his grace through things and people he has created (prophets, priest, angels, water, mud, a bronze snake, Moses’ staff, wine, bread, oil, etc). Twice here we have shown from scripture that God commanded the creation of graven images. If a graven image is made with the intentions to worship as a false god, then this is idolatry, but if the image is made to aid in the worship of God and not be worshiped itself as in the case of the Cherub and the Bronze serpent it is actually beneficial to the Christian people.

DANGERS OF BEING CURSED BY PARENTS

 

7 DANGERS OF BEING CURSED BY PARENTS 

A mother brought her possessed child to Padre Pio. The child was howling in the Church making a commotion. He helped free the child from the demon and then told the mother "Tell your husband not to curse or the demon will return."

Children never anger your parents even his mind fails, be considerate to them. 

(STORY OF PADRE PIO)

Here are seven dangers of being cursed by parents, as noted by exorcists:

1. Fr. Gabriele Amorth: "One can be struck by evil because of a curse from one's parents."

2. Fr. Chad Ripperger : "If one is cursed by one's parents, then it can have a very serious effect upon a person."

3. Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea: "Curses pronounced by one's parents can cause serious harm to the person cursed."

4. Fr. Malachi Martin : "The curses of parents can have profound and lasting effects on their children's lives."

5. Fr. Gary Thomas: "Curses from parents can open up a person to spiritual attack and influence."

6. Fr. Francesco Bamonte: "Curses from parents can lead to a variety of spiritual and psychological problems."

7. Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia: "Being cursed by one's parents can lead to a life of hardship and suffering."

In addition to these dangers, it is important to remember the wisdom of honoring and obeying one's parents. Happy children are often obedient children, and accepting one's cross and suffering can lead to spiritual growth and maturity.

Holy Remedy:

If one believes they have been cursed by their parents and wishes to renounce this curse in front of the Blessed Sacrament, they can use the following Catholic prayer (But it is advisable that one Must make a General and Good Confession and receive the Holy Eucharist in tongue and kneeling to make it efficient) 

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I renounce any curse that has been spoken over by my parents, whether knowingly or unknowingly. I renounce any negative words, intentions, or actions that have been directed towards me. I ask for God's forgiveness and mercy for any way in which I may have contributed to these curses through my own actions or attitudes.

Mama Mary, intercede for me with your motherly love and protection. May the Most Precious Blood of Jesus wash away any curse or negativity that has been spoken against me that cause oppression in my life, my relationship, my property and my family.

Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I place my trust in Your divine mercy and ask for Your healing and protection.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle. Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May you, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Guardian Angel, watch over me and guide me. Help me to renounce these curses with sincerity and to walk in the light of God's love and truth.

I make this renunciation and prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Real Presence of my Lord Jesus Christ, asking for God's grace and protection in my life. I also resolve to make a general confession of all my sins, seeking God's forgiveness and healing in all areas of my life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." 3x

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 3x

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. 3x

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 3x

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Responsibilities to Parents*

(Sirach 3)

1

Children, listen to me, your father;

act accordingly, that you may be safe.

2

For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children

and confirms a mother’s authority over her sons.

3

Those who honor their father atone for sins;

4

Those store up riches who respect their mother.

5

Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children,

and when they pray they are heard.

6

Those who respect their father will live a long life;

those who obey the Lord honor their mother.

7

Those who fear the Lord honor their father,

and serve their parents as masters.

8

In word and deed honor your father,

that all blessings may come to you.a

9

A father’s blessing gives a person firm roots,

but a mother’s curse uproots the growing plant.

10

Do not glory in your father’s disgrace,

for that is no glory to you!

11

A father’s glory is glory also for oneself;

they multiply sin who demean their mother.

12

My son, be steadfast in honoring your father;

do not grieve him as long as he lives.

13

Even if his mind fails, be considerate of him;

do not revile him because you are in your prime.

14

Kindness to a father will not be forgotten;

it will serve as a sin offering—it will take lasting root.

15

In time of trouble it will be recalled to your advantage,

like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.

16

Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers;

those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator.

THE THREE SACRED HEARTS

FIRST FRIDAY:

1. The first Friday of each month was designated by Jesus himself as consecrated to honoring his Sacred Heart, to increase our love for Him in Holy Communion by receiving Our Lord Jesus Christ on first Friday and to make reparation for past and present offenses against His love. Those that keep the first Friday devotion receive 12 promises. 

FIRST SATURDAY:

2. “See, my daughter, My Heart surrounded with thorns with which ingrates pierce me at every moment with blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, make sure to console me and announce that all those who for five months, on the first Saturdays, go to confession, receive Communion, say five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for 15 minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to Me, I promise to assist them at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for the salvation of their souls." ~ Our of Lady of Fatima to Sister Lucia

FIRST WEDNESDAY:

3. Wednesdays are dedicated to Saint Joseph, but especially the first Wednesday of the month where you can offer your Holy Communion to his Most Chaste Heart that he would continue to intercede and protect you and your family.