The Catholic Defender: Baseball is right around the corner, are you ready

I grew up playing little league baseball in Blue Springs Missouri beginning in the 1960's. That would continue through high school and college. It was a great opportunity as I was able to play semi-pro for a little while. To play ball is the dream that countless people have.

I still use some of my baseball lingo in my faith. As a first base coach we are working to help batters get on first base and send them on to second where the priest guides the runners to third and to home.

How great it is when Athletes use their gifts for the Lord being good role models. Heaven has the most important Hall of Fame as the Saints are the Lord's Role Models. There is no second string on the Lord's team, there are no bench warmers. All it takes if for the young and old, the small and large, all peoples to desire the great relationship with God.

Easter Vigil is when we receive a lot of rookies, some as children, some who needed Confirmation, some who converted to the Catholic Faith from Protestantism, and others from non-Christian and non-believing groups. All are welcome to the Catholic Faith that teaches God's truth revealed to His Church.

Many people do love God with all their heart, mind, and soul and we must keep a watchful eye. Satan does not play fair. He will throw pitches at you that looks really good, but until you get on base, your caught in the batters box. The Devil seeks to destroy you and he brings in his environment to wear you down. Demonic oppression is a far greater concern because how his environment has deceived so many enticing people with the appearance of what tastes good. Like Eve taking that very first bite, peoples eyes are opened making themselves their own gods. That becomes the worst form of idolatry. Heaven has given us a peace plan beginning with the coming of Jesus, the establishing of the Catholic Church, the devotion to Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, the Sacraments, the true gospel handed down for 2,000 years. Jesus is Lord, He came in the flesh, and he has power over the powers of darkness. As Catholics, the bible tells us to “fear not”, “be not afraid” over 500 times. St. Pope John Paul’s inauguration as Pope, the 265th successor of the Apostle Peter, on October 22, 1978, stepped out on to the balcony in St. Peters Square and said: "Be Not Afraid" Be confident in the batters box, “Be Not Afraid"! Open up your heart, open wide are the gates to Christ. Open up to his saving power. As the crowds were amazed when Christ cast out demons know that the world will try and blind your vision of your liberation. The more you cling to your faith, the more you cling to devotions such as the Rosary and the Divine Mercy, the reading of scriptures, the lives of the Saints, the teachings of the Church, the more you will see the work of the devil in your midst. I am reminded of Ephesians 5:11, “Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them.” O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because in revealing them you can neither deceive nor be deceived. Post not marked as liked