Weapons of Choice

It is beyond any doubt that the world is on fire.  It didn't happen suddenly but in a very gradual progression of eroding moral standards, corruption of moral and religious beliefs, unrest, dissolution and redefinition of marriage and family.  Why are we so surprise to see violence in our streets?  Why are we so surprise to witness ideologies enacted in public squares and public forums?  Why are we so surprise to see mere infants turned to monsters and sociopaths?  It seems that remedies we have thought of were not sufficient enough.  It seems that the tough and violent approach breed more violence and deadly results.  I agree that laws should, must be in place, and for sure, laws must be implemented for the good of society.  But are we missing the real root cause of all these?  The power of darkness, the Prince of darkness and chaos, has broken free.  "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1Peter 5:8).  Identifying the cause and making the right diagnosis are two foundational stones in the healing ministry.  By doing so one can apply the proper remedy. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12).

If this is so then we must decide for ourselves what weapon of choice we must employ. We have the teachings of Our Lord and the Word of God.  We have the Sacraments of the Church, examples of the Saints, fasts, sacrifices, and that great weapon of prayer that rises like a burning incense before the throne of God.  We have so much treasures to draw from.  But do we truly and firmly believe that the prayer of a just man is powerful indeed?