WOSF Episode 64

This one is bittersweet. The experience with the flock of little birds, and my continued interest in their nesting habits and seeing them raise their little families around the Shrine, brought me joy and enhanced my writing and learning and spiritual growth all summer long! But the way things turned out with this rental house has been deeply unpleasant and cast an uncomfortable shadow over the otherwise beautiful time that we've been having here.

Any kind of holy place is naturally going to be a big magnet for both good and evil. One thing my recent studies led me to, in a deep dive of obsession with angels in general and Saint Michael the Archangel specifically, is the sad understanding that not only are genuinely dark-influenced people present in the Catholic Church just as they are everywhere else, but we are in fact in a worldwide season of trial when diabolical influences have been permitted increased power over those who open themselves to such influences. We are fortunate to have had practice with setting strong boundaries and protecting ourselves - but that sort of behavior, especially in a woman, can lead to social difficulty if the expectation is to be "nice" at any cost - even the cost of one's virtue.

Death before sin! Or in our case, homelessness and social ostracism before sin, which is very nearly the same thing!

Jesus and Mary can be our friends, just as they were to Saint Dominic Savio whose quote about death I've just nicked above.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!