Catholic Hermit Has a Helper!

This nothing consecrated Catholic hermit has read numerous biographies of Catholic hermits--saints, mystics, male and female--covering the two millennia.  Often, in the details, it is shared that the hermit had a helper.  The helper would provide assistance now and then, or sometimes more as a caretaker, living in an adjoining cell or room.  If a hermit priest, the helper would often assist at Mass as sacristan and altar server, celebrant being the hermit priest.  Often there would be no others present.

It has crossed this hermit's mind now and then, the thought of a hermit helper.  Why did not God provide a helper here--someone sharing the Catholic faith, with a sweet soul, loving God, and desirous of being a helper.  So a few weeks ago the hermit cast the net again toward the local parish, which the hermit does about once a year.  Not expecting a return call from message left on voicemail, a call did come but not from the office manager.  No, it was a woman who was filling in and heard the message and realized the office manager had neglected to respond.  

So the hermit explained to her that it is seeking a young person who might want a little job being a second pair of hands and an additional back to help the hermit with some lifting, carpentry, and whatever other tasks around this hermitage--bounteous tasks!  (Of course, the hermit did not say "hermitage" nor explain any of its circumstances vocationally: not necessary then.)  In the course of conversation, the woman realized she has a son, age 14, just out of middle school and might just enjoy this as a first job, learning some skills and working just 3 hours in the mornings with much leeway if something in his schedule comes up as well as leeway for the hermit due to the pain unpredictability.  The mother said she'd call back in a day or two.

No call, so the hermit figured God was not going to put a fish in the net.  But two weeks later, unexpectedly came the phone call in which the mother said yes, her son would like to try the job.  We made arrangements to meet; that went well so we set a start date.  On the first morning, the mother stayed the full time as she and her husband were being wisely careful, considering they really did not know much about the person their son would be working with.  And it was providential that the mother stayed, as we needed help heaving up a couple of huge sheets of drywall, as well as carrying in several sheets of green board for drywalling a bathroom....

Then the mother recognized the hermit from the first summer the hermit was here and went to Mass a few times before persecutions began and the ecstatic state during Mass was registering within alarm with what was occurring during the Mass at the altar.  Regardless, the mother recognized the hermit as that person who was relegated to the cry room, and seemed as if not aware during Mass--just silent and there.

So the hermit said it would lay out the situation, as we may as well get it over with, and then the parents could decide if they still wanted their son to be the helper here.  And at that point, the hermit explained its vocation and a few aspects of mystic existence.  Perhaps since we'd been working together for a couple or more hours when the recognition occurred, there was a sense of assurance and a rapport developed even in that short time.  The mother asked questions, and she felt fine about her son returning.  

The hermit and helper worked at various tasks.  Soon the hermit was realizing that the hourly pay and what ever we accomplished (albeit slowly as the lad had no experience and the hermit only what it had learned through study, youtube videos, and observing men workers) was not the point of our efforts together.  No, it has to do with the spiritual life, and what the hermit might impart of its life and what little it is learning of construction skills, and the helper would share his perspective and rather fine spiritual insights, as well as his everyday life.

Thus far we have hung green-board in the downstairs hermitage bathroom, leveled part of the floor in there, hung some drywall on the stairway wall, prepared the rest of the porch for completion, put some insulation in the crawlspace (about one-fourth of the effort completed thus far and messy, dirty job it is) and put most of the house wrap on the last two, short exterior walls needing yet to be sided.

Last Friday, the mother brought the father to meet the hermit.  Yes, he, too, had some questions of the hermit's life and vocation as well as its being a Catholic mystic.  So the hermit discussed and probably said even more than necessary, sharing a couple profound experiences and revealing some of the progression of its existence.  The dad asked about having someone bring communion, for he, too, had recalled the hermit and seemed now to understand better the situation.  This is an exile, and God knows what He is doing.  

[So we shall see if the priest agrees, as another has asked with no success. The hermit prays for the priest, but accepts the exile as willed by God and its spiritual father, for a time.  There is more to the situation at the parish, but it has been touched upon previously and no need to repeat.]

The mom, dad, and the hermit's young helper all left, seemingly all right with the hermit being a Catholic hermit mystic with the incumbent mystical experiences.  That's just how it is for a mystic.  One is born that way and nothing to be done about it but accept and offer oneself to God's will and way.

Over the weekend the hermit wondered if its helper would not be back.  Not sure why the thought was brewing, but it seems as if most Catholics (priests included) have difficulty coping with that kind of reality in someone.  The hermit used to never say a peep, not answer questions, but that did not work out well.  Caused more misunderstandings, and made the hermit seem withdrawn and odd.  For things would occur that others would see or experience, and the hermit would not or could not explain.

The result was a stoved-up hermit trying without success to live a double life, and people misunderstanding and then persecuting, shunning, gossiping, and making up untruths about the hermit.  No, it drew more attention in the wrong way, to what is simply a mystic who is also a hermit.

___________________


A long-time friend called on the Fourth of July.  We discussed the dilemma.  "It has just come to a point," explained the hermit, "that leading a double life is not working.  It did not work with its own children, it did not work in parishes, it is not working insofar as being fully open to God's utilization in its mission and vocation."

"So you are 'coming out'?" asked the friend, guffawing heartily.  

"Well, yes--but only mostly to self and in the rare situation that it is necessary to 'clear the chickens off the street.'  Just get it over with--just answer the questions and explain the situation, and not prolong the reaction, such as if these people decide to also judge and don't want their son working here.  Just lay the cards out on the table, and let them decide, and be done with it."  

Then the friend and the hermit discussed how the gay population and the transgender population are allowed to be as they are.  If people persecute or bash, they are called out as bigots and can get law suits for bullying....  We reviewed the life of Glen Campbell who is stricken with Alzheimer's and deciding to come forward with his illness, to lay it out as it is, and perform for a final "goodbye tour" for as long as his mind could possibly do it.  A documentary is now released, titled, I'll Be Me.  His family was concerned that some concert attendees would laugh or ridicule the errors and confusion the great singer and guitarist would make with his memory issues--could be quite embarrassing.  But people valued and had compassion for his contribution as well as his courage in being himself, in sharing his reality.

"Yeah," the hermit commented after we discussed these examples,"it just seems time to stop using so much energy in trying to be what am not and in trying to sublimate the spiritual and the mystical real self, and it is just not working.  It is not working,  We Catholics ought to grow in acceptance and maybe after centuries of mistreating them and feeling it necessary to interrogate and persecute people who happen to be mystics, and downright abuse them emotionally, mentally and sometimes physically.   But not that they will ever stop.  But it is worth a try to stop the judging and bullying."

The friend brought up how priests and bishops--and there are always those Catholics in the pews and religious life, as well--feel a need to take matters into their own hands and decide if someone is valid or not, especially when it comes to spiritual experiences that mystics tend to have without the asking nor expecting.  

"Those who are deceived or are termed 'false mystics' will be sorted out by God.  Those who are deceived or shamming do not really pose a problem to the Church or others; they are not given power to alter the Church or up-end Her.  The genuine mystics will be sorted out by God, as well.  They do not seek to alter the Church or up-end Her.  They do not seek power.  The only problem they pose is when they are given tasks by God to reveal what St. Paul terms 'blemishes' in the Church or in souls, including a mystic's own soul.  Mystics tend to be very hard on themselves...."

This was agreed upon by the hermit and the hermit's long-time friend.  Yes, those who are deceived by themselves or the devil, get sorted out by and by, by God.  They unravel in due course.  No one needs to wrought up about it, and certainly they nor genuine mystics need to be interrogated or mistreated any more than people who are gay or transgender or suffer from Alzheimer's!

_______________________

Surprise, surprise--the hermit's helper showed up for work Monday morning. The hermit apologized to the mother for having doubted they would handle the hermit's spiritual reality, what is it's "affliction", odd that it may seem.  The hermit had tested this couple, forced out the cards and also showed its own hand.  This couple passed with flying colors.  God is allowing the hermit this helper!

We really cannot be what we are not--and that includes trying not being what we are: how God made us.   Sometimes we just have to lay it out in the open, in certain circumstances, and not be ashamed nor afraid of consequences, of criticism or judgment by others.  Perhaps, too, there is a holy purpose in writing (for this weary mystic hermit: anonymously) of matters that can uplift others and inspire to more faith.

My, oh my, the hermit's young helper has a magnificent testimony to share of how his guardian angel saved him from a horrible, impending accident and revealed his name and gave a marvelous sign that would assure the lad that he had been visited by a heavenly messenger.  Maybe we can get that written this summer and sent off to a publication, for others will be uplifted by his encounter....

Warning and Blessing: Detraction

Detraction of others in any shape or form is a pernicious sin.  Like pine gum on the fingers, removing detraction from one's thoughts, words, and actions requires more than soap and water.

Detraction belittles, denigrates, lessens, smears, puts down, besmirches, diminishes, deprecates, depreciates, condemns, mocks, disparages, slanders, libels, and bullies others.  Most often, the poison of detraction trickles or erupts from anger, envy and malicious criticism.  Detraction serves to lower another's self-esteem and standing as a person among peers, as a child of God.

Wrongful judging occurs in detraction.  Rightful judging is that which derives from thoughtful observation, wise and holy discernment, by those whose position is to rightfully judge.  The intent of rightful judging is to discover truth and desire justice.  There are few occasions other than in the legal profession, in which we are likely to be called upon to rightfully judge.

Discernment is more a personal matter of which we are to make critical judgments regarding ourselves, our actions, our thoughts.  Discernment of self is necessary for spiritual growth; discernment of others is not so necessary.  If we honestly discern our own thoughts, words, and actions, we will have enough information to make changes in our lives. Self-discernment, thus, will replace the temptation to deceive ourselves that we are only "discerning" others, when in fact we slip into judging them.

For example, a young man came to do some plumbing when this hermit was yet ill.  He ruined some plumbing parts, made vital errors in placement of holes for pipes, and misspoke about code.  The hermit detracted the young man by discussing his wrong-doings with others, as well as slipped into anger over the wages paid and costs to replace parts and redo the project.

Holy discernment would have provided the hermit with all the truth it needed--without detraction of the plumber.  Had this hermit privately recognized the young man's errors, that would have been enough to know what actions to take in remedying the plumbing.  If the errors had amounted to great sums, there is legal recourse via the law of the land.  In this situation, prayer for the young man, privately letting him know he had erred, and giving him opportunity to make right his wrongs, is the correct course of action--not detraction.

A key element in rightful judging and wise discernment is factual truths and what we do with factual truths.  If the facts upon which we base our judging and discerning are not true but more our opinions, then we slip into wrongful judging and wrong discernment.  We next can slide on and into detraction if we think, write, or speak based upon our inaccurate facts or upon our opinions.

Jesus is clear on how to avoid the sin of detraction (which does include wrongful judging--and best to avoid judging unless by profession a judge in the land's justice system!).

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
       a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and                overflowing, will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you"  (Luke 6:36-38).

[Yesterday while consolidating grains of rice from one container into another, the marvelous image of a good measure came clear.  While pouring the rice it seemed the canister could not possibly hold all the grains.  The nothing Catholic hermit tamped the rice, shook it down, and what seemed impossible for the canister to hold, poured in with space remaining!  How pictorially metaphoric, Jesus' words!]

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Little children, let us love one another!  Refrain from any temptation to detract others. Let our judging and discerning be of ourselves, for therein is the greatest opportunity for growth--and blessed gifts--of remaining in His Love!

Detraction: A Turn-Off

Detracting others is such a turn-off.  Above all, God does not like it.

This nothing Catholic hermit has done it, surely.  Detraction is one of those vices of which a person can so easily convince him- or herself that it is not really detraction.  No, it is only being honest; it is being discerning, using wise discretion and critical thinking skills.

And sometimes it is one of those, but often we are deceiving ourselves.  Bottom line:  a lot of the time we criticize or debunk or judge or put down others, it is simply and honestly detraction.

Usually, at least for the nothing Catholic hermit, it has come out of frustration, or upset in something not properly done.  Or it comes down to not having perspicacity of vision, of tolerance, of letting others do as they do and say as they say, for often enough, it is not going to matter in the full spectrum of life.

Of course, when it is something of note, of vital importance to another, of an ultimate charity to speak or write, we do so.  But we need to be so very careful in discerning these fine lines that can trick us into falling into detraction.  When anger is added to it, or envy and pride, it becomes what today is known as "bullying" or being "abusive."  

Recently when so very ill, this Catholic hermit watched some YouTube videos and read some writings of the Eastern Church.  Some went back prior to the schism between the Latin and Eastern Church; some were after.  Of those after and of the past century up to current times, an undercurrent developed in speech and writing.

One speech by a Blessed of the Orthodox Christians, developed what was no doubt quite believable and reasonable to those of the Orthodox faith, the Eastern "lung" of the Church.  The subject was Francis of Assisi, and the Blessed wrote the various reasons and gave examples, as to why Francis of Assisi is not a saint but was rather a deceived person--deceived by the devil--and not someone to emulate.  The content had numerous points made, all backed up by what the Blessed (one highly esteemed of the Orthodox Church much as a Blessed in the Catholic Church is esteemed) purported.

And in reading it, this nothing Catholic hermit could see how easily one could think it rational and true about Francis--as the very statements and events in his life could be totally taken in another context and with other implications than holiness.  Yes, nothing Catholic hermit could totally understand, for it has itself been accused of this or that--from emotional and mental condition, to a fraud Catholic, to imposter Catholic hermit, to its spiritual experiences being from other than God.

And, truly, the jury is still out on this nothing Catholic hermit.  Only God knows for sure, the inner reaches of His created souls.  As for Francis of Assisi, other than what people have written of him, and the short rule of life he wrote under pressure by eager friars (Francis did not want to formalize his evolving spiritual way of life), there is nothing else--no video footage, no tape recorded talks, no photographs of his stigmata.  And, if there were such "proofs", people would insist they were photoshopped or doctored, or embellished.

Yet repeatedly, in what amounted to a full-scale detraction of Francis of Assisi, it was obvious that the holy Orthodox Blessed truly believed Francis' life was not valid in a spiritually good sense.  There was a sense of pity for him, that he had been so deceived by the evil one, but it only stood to reason since Protestants and Catholics are frequently termed "pseudo-Christians" by the Orthodox.  Found it stated repeatedly in comments and writings.

And, we all know of Protestants who think Catholics are not Christians or are not "saved", and we know of Catholics who think Protestants are not "saved", and of Catholics who no doubt think Orthodox are cut off and not to be heeded.

Frankly, it was quite humbly to have read what the Eastern Orthodox think of someone like nothing Catholic hermit and of Catholics and Protestants.  Had never considered that, probably because don't think of others as saved or not, except those who are doing evil deeds without repentance and who do not believe in God or in Jesus or the Holy Spirit.  And even then, must not judge because how does this nothing Catholic hermit know about the inner reaches of their souls?  And what is known of the next moments, hours, days and years of their life on earth, and of their judgment?  All could change in an instant, and someone thought to be this or that, could be entirely something else!

We really can only go by what is current, written fact, as far as discerning what we are and who we are, and if our lives are valid in His Divine Sight, Mind, Will, and Heart.

It is always good, and humbling, to realize that others can convince themselves based upon what someone has written about someone else, such as the many who have written about Francis of Assisi, and then decide upon a person based upon the ability to interpret what someone has done or purportedly said, or even written, from an entirely different viewpoint of the beholder.  Thus, the Blessed holy man of one wing of the Church, could write and declare Francis deceived and a false mystic and not a saintly man.  (The followers of Francis of Assisi thought otherwise, and the Western wing of the Church declared him a saint--obviously a differing view.)

So is it detraction to debunk Francis of Assisi?  Possibly and probably.  Detraction has a lot to do with the intent of the person writing or speaking, trying to put down the other.  It can be detraction even if he or she truly believes what he or she is writing is correct, or thinks is saving others from being duped, or thinks it is to warn them not to follow or emulate such a misguided or deceived or wrong person.  Is it detraction for any of us to build a case against another?

Well, a lot depends upon motive, and that is so very hard to discern in ourselves, especially if was are proud of our intellects and proud of our positions and presence and status in the world, even if but a small world in actuality.  The internet has done us a disservice, encouraging us to think we are quite the voices of authority just because what we write or say can be viewed by a few or many.  It is public.  And that make detraction all the worse, in some respects.  It is just out there, visible, readable.

Some say that public figures are fair game when it comes to pointing out wrongs (or conceivably rights) they have done.  Detraction deals with the wrongs, as its modus is negation, is putting down, debasing another's actions or words, or personhood.  And sometimes the truth is the truth, but yet again, as Jesus said, "He who is without sin may cast the first stone"

Even if St. Francis of Assisi was a total fraud, a false mystic, had no stigmata, his followers having cast fabrications about him--it then would seem rather ineffective to state all these deceptions unless one had valid proof, had known him, talked with him, observed in person, and was qualified to make a diagnosis.  Only people in Francis' time could truly do that, for anyone can twist what others have written about a person.  Even Padre Pio had doctors examine him and come away with quite different diagnoses of his stigmata than what other doctors verified.

We have the current internet flurry of people who see a blue and black dress and silver and gold.... But of course, that is not detraction to call it silver and gold when it is actually blue and black.  All that has to do with physiology in the way people's eyes functions with seeing certain colors.  However, detraction does have to do with viewpoints, with the way we view others, when viewing wrongly--putting another down, casting aspersions--even if we think we are right.

So, dear friends in Christ Jesus, filled with His Real Presence and loving God Almighty--let us not detract others.  There really is no need to do it.  Yes, we get angry and frustrated.  We are convinced our ways are the right way, our views the right and only views, the way we see things is the correct way to see.  And in some cases, particularly if we can weigh it with the right of the Gospel Rule, we might be right, or at least striving to be right.  

Yet how wrong it is to detract, to put someone else "down", to bully and make statements either in thoughts, words spoken or written, or in deed, that suggest someone else is less than what we think we are.  It is truly pointless in most any way we can rationally think of it.  Detraction does not help others nor ourselves.

And this nothing Catholic hermit knows it, as it becomes frustrated with such as a young man who came to do some plumbing--a young man the electrician was convinced could help when the hermit was so very ill.  No, the "plumber" ruined parts, did things incorrectly, and lied about codes.  It is all fact; the electrician felt terrible; the hermit has had to replace parts and re-do the plumbing, now feeling better enough to do it.  Lost $210 plus the costs of new parts and its own time and effort.

But why put the young man down?  Why detract?  Why hold anger?  It is pointless.  At most, the electrician is going to point out to him what he had done and the trouble and expense, and only so that the young man will hopefully not try to pull the wool on others--and will do a better job for others.  But detraction is not holy, is not good, is not right.  Never ought detraction be part of our action.

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Little children, let us love one another!  God Is Love!  Remain in His Love, and remember we are all His children.  The jury is still out on all of us as to how good of children we each may be.  We have the potential to all be very, very good children by His grace and mercy!

Catholic Hermit's Thoughts on Detraction and Bullying

The elderly aunt, living in a retirement center that is lovely in ambiance, has shared with the nothing Catholic hermit some terrible bullying she has received. (Ironically, shortly before, the hermit had read a NY Times article in which a columnist exposed some bullying her grandmother had suffered in a nursing home, meted out by other residents.)

Yes, people never grow too old to bully others and to detract.  The hermit's aunt had held it in for over a year and a half, and only did the nasty events subside when two elderly women told lies in order to have her moved from their dining table--and the aunt realized to stay clear of these women.

O happy fault, it could be said.  Nothing Catholic hermit asked some key questions.  Describe these two women's appearances, please.  Very heavy, not aging well, rather negative in dispositions.  Oh.

But the elderly aunt had tried so hard to befriend them, to get them to have conversation with her during meals and at the other times she encountered them.  All efforts were to no avail.  The one would put her ancient hand up to her wizened face as it to block site of the aunt.  The other would turn her head so as to only speak to the cohort in rudeness, with put-downs of the kindly aunt.

If the aunt would mention something pleasant in nature (which is her nature, anyway--a very positive person), the others would snap something negative...if and when they were of a mind to respond at all.

Try as she might, the aunt made no progress with the two.  And then, yes, that day came when they concocted ridiculous lies to report to the facility manager, and he asked her about it, to get her side. The aunt admitted the  lies were so shocking and inane, that to respond and defend herself was quite exhausting and upsetting.   She said she started to explain the truth of the matter but soon realized it all was so ridiculous as to not be worthy of dignifying the situation. She decided it better to just take the unjustice.  If others believed such lies, then they were not worth further effort.  

But these women go to church!  They are Christians!, the aunt exclaimed.  That makes little difference when the devil is involved, responded nothing Catholic hermit.  More devious for the devil, as who would think Christians would be so vile?

The aunt was moved to a table with a woman who used to teach at the same school in which the aunt taught, years ago.  Her new table mate is losing her memory and realizes it.  (She does have occasional, brief moments of lucidity.)  In  one of those clear spots, the woman thanked the aunt for sitting with her and being patient.  The aunt responded that is was her pleasure to dine with her--and far better than what she had gone through for over a year and a half.

Humility!  That is the best virtue to respond to bullying and detraction.  Humility and gratitude!  And for the ordeal of getting through it, she has lovely, long-time friends outside the retirement home, who listened and prayed and helped her endure.   For one does feel shocked and hurt and confused when others gang up to bully and detract; the good souls attempt to make amends and bring peace to detractors for that is their loving and gracious nature.

The nothing Catholic hermit said it was very good, the humble way in which the aunt had simply kept silence when the personnel told her of the silly but painful charges that these two women had concocted.  She said she started to explain the truth of the matter, but she soon realized it all was so ridiculous as to not be worthy dignifying the situation.

So into our conversation came what Jesus recommends when one offers his or her peace to another, and that peace is not returned.  Shake the dust from the sandals as a testament against them, and move on to the next "place."  And so that is just what happened; but the aunt could have saved herself a lot of torment for month after month, had she realized to do that within short order.

Also, the nothing Catholic hermit mentioned that darkness does not like the Light.  The aunt is noted for her loveliness, her graciousness, and her encouraging, positive attitude.  She is increasingly spiritual, prayerful--all the more into her nineties.  She has had tragedy in her life--plenty--and has risen above.  Such virtue in a person can really irritate the devil who loves to move into those others in vicinity who have any bit of envy or pride or tendency to be mean-spirited.

People bully and detract other people for a variety of reasons.  Underneath it is always the devil using them in some weakness of virtue or downright vice, or plural of these.  The bullies usually do not realize they are being used by darkness, making them prone to nastiness that can be hurtful and damaging in tangible ways, but most often is just downright ridiculous.

It means the bullies and detractors suffer from insecurity in their own personalities and appearance, or they have great pride which always goes before a fall, as is said.  They can talk themselves into feeling justified, at times, such as they are protecting others...or making sure justice is played out...or that "right" is defended--that is, their notion of justice and right.  Usually the bullies and detractors are blinded to what they are doing and what in themselves is hurting or lacking, to cause them to act as they do.

A news commentator recently spoke on bullies and detractors.  What to do when people are mean to you?  He answered his own query in simple terms:  Get away from them.  Yet sometimes we cannot, such as the aunt cannot always avoid these women since they live in the same facility--but she tries her best.  She no longer attempts to cheer them or greet them.  Rather, she smiles as she would to any human being.  Then she makes her way past the detractors, pushing her walker with which she lives a purposeful life even if slowed down.  She is a gracious survivor!

When one cannot get away from bullies or detractors (and journalists and internet writers cannot just disappear, either), then the best recourse is to ignore it.   Pray for those who persecute, love one's enemies, but mentally walk away.  However, in some cases when the detraction is downright slander and/or libel, one should set the record straight for the audience (newscasts, readership).  At times a law suit is necessary to make the bullies and detractors cease curb their assaults.

A person who is a journalist, for example, or politician or such, has to realize that people will have their own opinions and differences of thought, or even think their view is the right and only way to be.  Accepting their rebuffs with humility and yet persevering in one's goals and efforts, is most often all one can do.  Get away in one's mind from the bullies and detractors.  Remove oneself and move on to the next "place":  Keep on by keeping on.

The devil's utilization of persons who offer an entry point into their own weak spots and who have been bullying and detracting is evidenced all the way back to the fall of Adam and Eve.  These people can range in age from babies pestering other babies to professionals sniping at professionals all the way into the very elderly.  Until our last breaths, we can be utilized to say twisted thoughts and try to make them seem as facts, to be nasty, to envy and resent others, to feel insecure, and to manipulate for supremacy in power, prestige, and position.

It matters not if religious.  Again, the devil loves infiltrating someone who thinks he or she is not at all a bully or detractor as he or she is a Christian (or other religion), and others know the person goes to church.  With such visible claim to faith, who would know to praying urgently for them?  Who would know other than their victims, that they are bullying and detracting--their own souls in peril?

So we must take it all very seriously in as much as praying for souls as well as knowing the very crevices in ourselves.  We must persevere in the virtues and batten the hatches against the evil one gaining entrance through any of our own weaknesses and vices.  None of us are foolproof to slipping into bullying and detraction.

God bless His Real Presence in us!  Little children, let us love one another! God Is Love!  Do not let us have space in our souls for other than His Real Presence and to remain in His Love!