"Beware of Satan!"
“My dear children! Satan is so strong and with all his might wants to disturb my plans which I have begun with you. You pray, just pray and don’t stop for a minute! I will pray to my Son for the realization of all the plans I have begun. Be patient and constant in your prayers. And don’t let Satan discourage you. He is working hard in the world. Be on your guard!” (Message conveyed by Vicka from Our Lady)
Satan exploits our apathy.
“Dear children!” These days Satan is working underhandedly against this parish, and you, dear children, have fallen asleep in prayer, and only some are going to Mass. Withstand the days of temptation! Thank you for having responded to my call.”
Commentary on Mary's Message by Mgr. George Tutto (Author of Living the Gospel With Our Lady)
The previous week was not over yet, when our Blessed Mother, through Vicka, warned the faithful at Medjugorje, and all of us for that matter, that Satan is very active, and we should never cease to be watchful through prayer. Persevering prayer, unceasing prayer, is a very effective defence against Satan, based on our deep faith in the power of Jesus. And we should be confident, too, because our Blessed Mother is interceding on our behalf, so that her plans in us and through us may not be jeopardized by the Evil One.
A few days later, in the usual weekly message, our Blessed Mother drew our attention to a particular area of weakness where Satan is most likely to be successful: our lukewarmness and apathy in our religious activities, especially in prayer and Holy Mass. "Bad weather," "being busy," "being tired," etc., provide the usual excuses.
1st day: Matthew 7:12-14. (Thursday)
The golden rule and the two ways.
Matthew 7:12-14.
12 So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Luke 21:19, 36.
19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.
Cf. James 1:12.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.
3rd day: Colossians 4:2-4. (Saturday)
Perseverance in prayer of intercession. Cf. Romans 12:10-13.
Colossians 4:2-4.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, 4 that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.
Cf. Romans 12:10-13.
10 love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11 Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
4th day: John 10:11-15. (Sunday)
Jesus is our Good Shepherd who protects his sheep.
Cf. Psalm 23:1-3.
John 10:11-15.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Cf. Psalm 23:1-3.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
5th day: Psalm 63:1-8. (Monday)
Yearning for God and for his protection. Cf. Psalm 17:8-14.
Psalm 63:1-8.
1 O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is. 2 So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory. 3 Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee. 4 So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name. 5 My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips, 6 when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night; 7 for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me.
Cf. Psalm 17:8-14.
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings, 9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. 11 They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. 13 Arise, O LORD! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword, 14 from men by thy hand, O LORD, from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their babes.
6th day: John 16:33. (Tuesday)
Jesus conquered the world; therefore, we have nothing to fear.
Cf. 1 Peter 5:10.
John 16:33.
33 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Cf. 1 Peter 5:10.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.
7th day: Revelation 3:14-16. (Wednesday)
The danger of lukewarmness. Cf. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20.
Revelation 3:14-16.
14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Cf. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20.
18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God.
Pray at least one decade of the Rosary when you wake up during the night.