Taking Courage from My Chains

A few weeks ago I read this in Philippians, I believe. St. Paul was encouraging others to increase in faith and love of Christ, to follow Christ all the way to (and beyond) the cross. St. Paul hoped the readers of his letter would take courage from his suffering for Christianity. At the time, I, too, needed to take courage from his chains.

I needed to take courage from my own chains. What are these chains? This morning at Mass, the guest priest spoke about the types of "gods" we have--some which we don't even see as gods. He mentioned "gods" such as the economy and being so dependent upon it, of thoughts, of whatever it is that takes our minds and hearts and souls and LOVE from God. He mentioned how early Romans worshipped the sun. Our "gods" aren't always that which is perceivable with the external senses. They often are thoughts which consume us and to which we become enslaved.

The only chains around us should be those which bind us to Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit: One God in Three Persons.
The links of such chains should be our thoughts, words, actions; they should be the virtues, especially the theological virtues of faith, hope and love.

I've considered the agony of the last few days in which I took time away from praying at the Tabernacle and reading, to shop for, purchase, and learn to figure out a new laptop. It is overwhelming in many ways, and at one point I felt chained in a negative way to this little machine. I much prefer life in utter simplicity, in adoration, spiritual reading, and floating upon the waters of bliss. I came to despise that our world has become so dependent upon computers. But, alas, it has.

What if I live and suffer another 30 years upon this earth? The ideas for evangelization and communication flashed before interior eyes. Ah, I could see good use of this little machine in spreading the Faith and strengthening Catholicism even here at "Arsdale." The parish is starting to become enlivened by the priest who is taking off running, flying for holiness and willing to wing us along with him. Some people can't handle the pain of change and the exorcising of complacency from their minds and souls. There are rumors that some might leave. This is equivalent to simply saying they are dropping to the ground before the ground disappears from under them. It is all right if they do; not everyone has the stomach for heights. This is a shame, in the long haul. However, they can change their minds and hang on for dear life, as it is dear eternal life which is at stake for souls.

In order to possibly be of writing use for Christ and His Church, I have decided to persevere in learning some new tricks, old dog that I am. This little machine can do amazing things if I but learn what and how. There can be much good for teaching and encouraging Victim Souls of the Sacred Heart. I pray Jesus wants me to take some time away from the Tabernacle and reading in order to read how to utilize this machine for the glory of God. It is a suffering to do so, in my case; but I am willing to suffer this being chained to technology for a greater good. I wonder if St. Paul felt chained in some ways to the slow process of dictating to a scribe or of writing on fragile papyrus?

In shopping for a laptop, the thought came to find a thrift shop in hopes of an old, manual typewriter. But then, I would have to find typewriter ribbons, and that is doubtful in today's world. I thought of how slow and tedious, how difficult to correct errors--and that notion left for good. Then when I considered the whole vista of podcasting--and what fun this could be--well, the lot was cast in favor of a laptop that can do more than I know yet what.

A couple of weeks ago I experienced hell for several days. It was terrible and in such contrast to the adventure of writing for Jesus in hopes that He might use some little part for even one soul--or for His own adoration. Writing can be a form of adoration, surely! Words are ideas and utterances painted upon His Sacred Heart, spoken silently, aloud, or visually to Him, for Him, and even within Him. Words seem to be my art form.

This little machine is now a link in the chains which bind me to the Most Holy Trinity. It is well to take the time God allows in learning and understanding how this link can be a vital part of the whole chain which ties my body, mind, heart and soul to God, in love. Giving up what was and striving on to what is before, to run the race set out in this technological world, I take courage from St. Paul's chains as well as my own.

It is well to make sure that our chains are only that which bind us to Him. Remove all other chains, such as thoughts of the vices and capitol sins. Remove chains of wanting things how they "used to be", for they are not now. The means of preaching and teaching Christ crucified have changed, and computer technology is a vital link. We must embrace this link.

While I have no idea if anyone out there even reads these blogs, I do have an e-mail: victim souls@hotmail.com, and you are free to leave comments. The web site is still a hope, as is now podcasting. The book is on hold due to the lapse in not having this tool of writing, the laptop, and so please pray that I can begin afresh with continuity and momentum renewed.