Religion Q & A – Seeing Spirits?: More points

How timely that last night I was at yet another talk by Dominic Berardino (president of SCRC – Southern California Renewal Communities). He spoke at my home parish in Buena Park about the topic “Overcoming the Works of Evil Spirits”. I just wanted to share a few points that stood out to me, relevant to the last Q & A entry about seeing spirits:

• Don’t get too caught up in the forces of evil. It’s good to know what they are, how they work in our lives, and how to combat them, but placing too much emphasis on them tends to attract them even more.
• DO focus on Jesus and all things holy as much as you can. Staying close to the Lord through His Word, His Mother, and the Sacraments and remembering everything He has done for us is just what we need to keep us on the straight and narrow path to Heaven.
• DO learn more about the lives of the saints whose simple and humble spirituality helped them through the greatest spiritual battles.
• DO pray this short prayer if you are ever in a situation where evil may be lurking: “Lord Jesus, protect me from all that is not of you.”

On my way to Meleana’s doctor’s appointment, my mom and I were listening to another talk on CD that he gave on “Ghosts and the Catholic Tradition”. There were some really great stories I can’t wait to share with you. What caught my attention the most was:

• There is no joy greater this side of heaven than being in purgatory. Some have portrayed it to be somewhat like Hell, but the souls at least know for sure that they are going to Heaven.
• “Ghosts” – or souls in purgatory – usually are found to “haunt” or linger in places where they committed their greatest sins. God allows us to see them at times so we can know that they are there needing our prayers (especially those souls who were not Catholic – they don’t have family members praying or lifting up Masses for them after they have died).

Good stuff. I must say – things like this make me love being Catholic. There’s always so much to learn!