My April 3rd blog, Part 3 of the Fatima “Secret", brought a strong reaction from my brother. Like everyone in my family, my brother was born and raised Roman Catholic. He was educated in Catholic schools, and at one point studied in a seminary and we all thought that he contemplated on becoming a priest. Somewhere along the way, he had a change of faith and is now an active member of his congregation. Nothing wrong with that. It’s a free world and anyone can worship in the church of their choice.
Below is my brother’s e-mailed comment on my Fatima posting:
I read your blog about the 3rd Secret Of Fatima. It came from the Papal Office, the 666 or the anti-Christ or The Beast. As far as I know, Mary herself acknowledged her need for a Saviour (Read the Canticle of Mary found in the gospel of Luke in the Catholic Bible). The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY Mediator between God and man mentioned in the Bible. St. Paul warns about the devil masquerading as an "angel of light" in order to deceive many people, even the righteous. Mary cannot make any apparitions because she is still asleep or "dead." She will only rise again together with the other dead in Christ when Christ returns during what is known as the rapture of the saints. This will happen at the tail-end of the Great Tribulation prophesied by our Lord Jesus Christ (Gospel of Matthew 24-25). After that an era of 1,000 years of peace on earth (Jesus Christ ruling and reigning with His saints) will begin which shall culminate in the Armageddon and the destruction of the heavens and the earth by fire. The current heaven and earth will disappear and then God will raise the rest of the dead in what is known known as the Second Resurrection (the First Resurrection is when Jesus Christ returns and raises the dead in Christ and those still alive in Christ will be transformed from mortal to immortal during the "rapture") to judge the rest of the dead. It is only during this time that man will be judged and sent either to hell or heaven depending on his/her earthly sojourn. You might hate me for this but this is the TRUTH. There won’t be a nuclear war as foretold in the Fatima apparitions because the destruction of the earth by fire will be providential and not man-made as aforementioned. And this will happen only after the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ and His saints. Instead of a World War lll, what will take place will be the "Great Tribulation" caused by natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, economic depressions, famines, wars (not a world war) and rumors of war, religious deception and persecutions. Satan is working overtime and using Mary as an instrument (within the Catholic Church because she is most beloved and popular) to deceive many people and bring them to hell…
Saint Paul admonished those particularly within the Roman Catholic church (and other false religions) to "get out of there" so as not to share in her impending judgment and destruction. Incidentally, although hell is in existence, it is still closed, therefore contrary to what was mentioned in the so-called Fatima apparitions, nothing is there yet. It will be opened only when Satan and the False Prophet and the Beast followed by those who were deceived by Satan after the final judgment of the dead are thrown there. God's kingdom is ruled only by God and Jesus Christ. There is no queen. The "queen of heaven" does not exist. You will be surprised on judgement day if you aren’t convinced now. While there is still time, begin to search the Scriptures (start with your Catholic Bible) and start asking questions regarding your own salvation. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Jesus Christ is the ONLY Savior of mankind. It is but right to listen ONLY to Him and to no one else. After crossing-over, there will be no turning back. Man will just be awaiting the great judgment day.
That should cause enough fear and trembling to anyone's heart.
My response:
I have always been a Roman Catholic, growing up worshipping, not only Jesus the Savior, but God the Father and the Holy Spirit, and honoring His Blessed Mother. Fortunately, the Good Lord has blessed me with an open mind, accepting and not questioning other people’s religious beliefs even if a few border on the realm of "controversially questionable." If The Virgin Mary is missing in the other religions, it's the faithful's loss, not mine. As far as I’m concerned, praying to Jesus’s Mother has always brought me solace and peace. Little miracles in my life happened through her spiritual intercession. If, indeed, there is a valid reason to question the Heavenly Queen’s existence, I have no cause to be convinced based on my personal relationship with Jesus's Mother. My faith remains unshattered because as far as I know, Mother Mary has always been there to comfort me! Non-Mary believers might think that my positive and hopeful thoughts might have been instrumental in the flow of good things becoming my reality (and not the consequence of the Blessed Virgin's intercession), but I stand by my faith and will breathe my last honoring my Mother in Heaven.
After more than half a century believing in a Divine Mother, sending her a multitude of prayers and simply basking in the knowledge of her being, erasing her existence from memory now might drive me to a shrink for some serious psychological and emotional repair. Quite honestly, I’m not up for such nonsense! I have been so abundantly blessed and the sheer thought of considering the notion of Mother Mary's non-existence is for me a shameful act of ingratitude. Call it an act of divine treason. (Sorry, bro!)
After more than half a century believing in a Divine Mother, sending her a multitude of prayers and simply basking in the knowledge of her being, erasing her existence from memory now might drive me to a shrink for some serious psychological and emotional repair. Quite honestly, I’m not up for such nonsense! I have been so abundantly blessed and the sheer thought of considering the notion of Mother Mary's non-existence is for me a shameful act of ingratitude. Call it an act of divine treason. (Sorry, bro!)
While we're on the subject, my BFF (best friend forever) recently forwarded the e-mail below. Thank you, Josie!
CARRY YOUR ROSARY EVERYDAY
When you carry a Rosary, Satan has a headache.
When you use it, he collapses.
When he sees you praying it, he faints.
Let us pray the rosary every time, so that he'll keep fainting.
Maybe one day, he'll have a stroke and never be able to work.
Did you also know that when you are about to forward this message,
Satan will try to discourage you?
Forward it anyway and help hasten the triumph of Mama Mary!
Send this to your prayerful friends and see how the Holy Spirit works!
There is a great deal to gain and absolutely nothing to lose!
Hi Everyone,
Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world would pray a Rosary on the same day! We have an example in October of 1573, when Europe was saved from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the praying of the Rosary by all Christians!
So, on Good Friday, let us all pray a Rosary for peace in the world and the return of moral values into our communities. If possible, please pray your Rosary between Noon and 3:00pm.
When you carry a Rosary, Satan has a headache.
When you use it, he collapses.
When he sees you praying it, he faints.
Let us pray the rosary every time, so that he'll keep fainting.
Maybe one day, he'll have a stroke and never be able to work.
Did you also know that when you are about to forward this message,
Satan will try to discourage you?
Forward it anyway and help hasten the triumph of Mama Mary!
Send this to your prayerful friends and see how the Holy Spirit works!
There is a great deal to gain and absolutely nothing to lose!
Hi Everyone,
Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world would pray a Rosary on the same day! We have an example in October of 1573, when Europe was saved from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the praying of the Rosary by all Christians!
So, on Good Friday, let us all pray a Rosary for peace in the world and the return of moral values into our communities. If possible, please pray your Rosary between Noon and 3:00pm.
Also, please e-mail this message to every Catholic on your address list, and ask them to pass it along to every Catholic on their lists. Let's unite in praying one of the most powerful prayers in existence, for these intentions, on one of the holiest days in our Church year.
God bless us all!
