Spiritual Battle Plan
By: MSG. Michael M. Cutone US Army Special Forces
Who will defend our faith?
"Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops, like bishops, and your religious act like religious." Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, speaking to the Knights of Columbus, June 1972 When we fail to live and defend our faith, we become POWs in the enemy camp. You cannot give what you don’t have. As lay Catholic men if we do not know the authentic teaching of our faith, how do expect to defend it? Or live it? You are in the greatest battle of all battles, the battle for your eternal soul. Our Current Situation “There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” C.S. Lewis “This dramatic situation of "the whole world [which] is in the power of the evil one" 302 makes man's life a battle: The whole of man's history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day. Finding himself in the midst of the battlefield man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God's grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity.” 303 Catechism Catholic Church St. Paul reminds us who we are up against. The fallen angels! Ephesians 6-10. You don’t get to sit this one out or stand on the sidelines. Denial is not a viable option; it only guarantees your defeat. The enemy is attacking you 24/7. The fallen angels are pure spirits, with no physical bodies. They never tire, they never rest, and their hatred for man is part of their irrevocable nature.
Your battle plan starts with:
1. Prayer (There is no escaping it. Without prayer we are lost. It begins here. Daily prayer)
2. Confession(attend frequently keeps us humble, open to God’s grace, and heals the wounds from sins)
3. Mass and Holy Eucharist(Our most powerful weapon. Understand during Mass the Paschal mystery is made present! Christ's passion, death, and resurrection are present. You are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. What could man do that is greater than receiving Christ in a state of grace?) Only in the sacraments do we receive sanctifying grace. Which is partaking and sharing in the life of Christ. Pick up your cross and get into the fight. It begins with prayer. Remember always Christ loves you.
Iraq & Afghanistan Veteran
About the Author: MSG Michael M. Cutone. A thirty-three-year veteran of US Army Special Forces (Green Berets), a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and a twenty-one-year law enforcement officer with Massachusetts State Police (retired). Mike is a Catholic man trying to live his faith each day. Mike with son Luke at West Point in front of General George Patton statue.
