Don’t get distracted from the gift of God’s love as revealed in Jesus 

by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

At the time I write this column, it appears that Satan’s Grotto of Leavenworth will be allowed to conduct some form of satanic worship, during which they promise to desecrate a Bible, a crucifix and probably other symbols of Christian devotion. We have sworn testimony from their leader that they do not have the Eucharist, contradicting his earlier claim to be in possession of a consecrated host. If it is proven that he lied under oath about this, he could be convicted of perjury — a felony resulting in both monetary fines and jail time.

One media source claimed that I had reached an agreement with the Satanists. The only agreement that we reached was that the Satanist admitted to being a liar when he claimed to possess the Blessed Sacrament. I still believe that it is a travesty of America’s core values to allow this satanic group to engage in hate speech on the grounds of the Capitol by denigrating and mocking Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.

The devil wants to distract us with bizarre claims and offensively provocative language. Wherever Satan reigns, there is inevitably confusion and chaos. The best protection against the devil is prayer through which we praise and glorify God. This is why I have invited Catholics throughout the archdiocese for a eucharistic Holy Hour and Mass at Assumption Church in Topeka. I also encourage every Catholic to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary.

Lent is a time to ponder the miracle of our baptism when we received the very life of Jesus and were given a destiny to live with him and the saints forever. We need to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, receive the Eucharist frequently, spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, pray the rosary daily and, in general, turn more frequently to God in prayer. This will drive the devil crazy and throw him into confusion and the depths of despair.

There is so much good happening on a daily basis in the church.

This past weekend was a great example. On Saturday morning, I preached at the annual anointing of the sick Mass that is planned and sponsored by the Knights and Dames of Malta.

Bishop James V. Johnston was the principal celebrant with priests from Kansas and Missouri concelebrating and assisting with the anointing of the sick. Our Catholic faith allows us to recognize meaning even in our suffering. Even as we prayed for their healing, we honored our sick who have been called to be configured more closely to the crucified Christ.

Saturday evening, I was in Atchison celebrating Mass for presenters and participants from all over the United States at Benedictine College’s annual Symposium on Transforming Culture. The focus of this year’s symposium was on the importance of Christian marriage and Christian family life in the transformation of society. Christian married couples, in living their vows of faithful, fruitful and forever love become icons of God’s love in the world.

On Sunday morning, I celebrated Mass in the Kateri Tekakwitha Chapel at Prairie Star Ranch for the Rural Catholic Youth Conference. It was beautiful to share the Eucharist with a couple hundred of our young people from our rural parishes. Their love and devotion for the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was edifying.

On Sunday afternoon, I baptized the fourth child of a beautiful couple from Holy Spirit Parish in Overland Park. I thanked the parents for their marriage and their generous openness to new life. I encouraged them to do their best to help their baby daughter know the importance of her baptismal day, when she received the very life of Jesus, became a temple of the living God and was given a destiny to live with Jesus and the saints forever.

The entire Lenten season is a time to ponder the gift of our own baptism. At the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass, we will be invited to renew our baptismal promises and our faith in the risen Jesus’ victory of life. I hope you will take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation during the Lenten season to renew the grace of your baptism and experience again through a fresh encounter with God’s mercy our liberation from the dreariness and sadness of sin.

What a gift is our Catholic faith!  The devil has no power over us. Do not permit Satan and his disciples to distract you from the truth of God’s love for you revealed in Jesus. Let us throw the devil back into his natural state of confusion and despair by celebrating the beauty and joy of God’s merciful, faithful love.