Today was a really fun day. I spent the day taking work-related courses in self-defense and scene safety. I learned how to protect myself against violent patients, and had a lot of fun in the process. It's always lots of fun to get eight or ten paramedics together in the same room, especially since we all share a rather warped sense of humour. Kinda goes with the job, I think.
It's amazing how easy it is to escape from someone who has a good hold on you, just by proper body positioning and a few release techniques that don't hurt the person who is trying to hurt you. All the same, I hope I never have to use it, but if my stalker guy comes back, at least I'll know what to do.
It was a long drive today, and since I was traveling alone, I played the Father Corapi CD's that I picked up in Seattle at his Lenten retreat last month. One story from the CD that I really enjoyed was the one of the desert fathers, who was asked by a young monk about the devil. The monk inquired if people in later times would be able to persevere in the fasting and all night prayer vigils that the desert monks subjected themselves to. The desert father said, "No. People in later times will be weak and they will barely be able to fast a day without feeling faint. They will not be able to stay awake and pray all night, for they will be too weak."
When the young monk asked why they would be so weak, the desert father replied,"It is easy for us to do these things. We are fighting Satan chained. In later times, people will fight him unchained."
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- paramedicgirl
- A paramedic who loves her job, but first and foremost, a traditional Catholic who recognizes the tremendous grace and privilege of belonging to the Catholic faith. And yes, I use Canadian spelling. Humour, centre, colour and such. If you think it's spelled wrong, it's just the Canadian way!
In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph
Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas for thanksgiving after Holy Communion
Workman's prayer to St. Joseph
Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance for the expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever recoiling before weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after your example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and in death. Amen.
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O gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the soul of your departed servant Joe. Be not severe in your judgement, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon him, and send, O merciful Savior, Your angels to conduct him to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.
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Consecrated Hands
"Because out of reverence towards this sacrament, nothing touches it, but what is consecrated; hence the corporal and the chalice are consecrated, and likewise the priest's hands, for touching this sacrament." - ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, Summa Theologica
5 comments:
I like this desert story very much. Interestingly enough, it is not the only such story from the Fathers, early Franciscans had similar stories, as well as other saints. In these later days we are said to be saved through suffering - too weak for corporal penances. And yes, the devil will be unchained.
So did your stalker guy just disappear?
That is very scary. I've worked in mental health and law enf., and people like this are nothing to be trifled with.
I can actually recommend a good book:
"The Gift of Fear" by ...um...I forget! When I bought it, it was a blue and silver paperback cover, found in the "self-help" section. I've bought the book twice and gave it away twice..it's never come back to me. It's one of those books that you will see yourself and your patients in, and it'll give you a wonderful perspective. I tend to abhor "self-help" stuff as most of it is a bunch of trite pop-psychology, but this one is for real. When I read it with a basis and background int he subject matter, I could see the truth of the author's words and the reality of his intentions.
Check it out if you can find it. Maybe your stalker is gone, but there might be others, or people you meet who will need the same information.
God grades on a curve. This also shows the beauty of the Communion of Saints.
Adoro, he pops up every now and then. Sometimes a year goes by before I see him again. I actually saw him twice in one day recently. He came over to the ambulance when my partner went into a store, and asked me what time I got off work. I had the doors locked, and only opened the window an inch. I could smell alcohol on his breath. I learned some really great escape techniques at that course I went to, and I'm not afraid to use them, either. But if he ever bothers me at work again, I will talk to the cops, for sure.
Thank you for posting the story talking about Fr. Corapi and the devil unchained. I had heard it on Catholic radio one day, and could never find the quote. Then I needed it today and did a google search and found your blog. It is so true-- We are living in the days of the devil unchained.
Sure wish I could read the original source of that story that Fr. Corapi got it from...!
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