In the story of David and Goliath it is clear that given what was at stake for the Israelites, killing the giant opponent was the only way to survive the threat of the Philistines. Incredibly, David alone stepped up to Goliath’s challenge in a remarkable act of heroism. Let us consider the circumstances surrounding his act. In comparison to Goliath everything about David was small: his stature, his ego, his rock and sling, and his experience in warfare. Yet in all his ‘littleness,’ David emerged victorious. This was possible only because of his total commitment to God who he knew to be the true victor. When Jesus came roughly 1000 years later, His message was of peace, but do we realize that this peace also involved a kind of warfare? For example, He said we are not to judge others and to always forgive, but this did not mean we are to take abuse or that we should a turn a blind eye to ‘difficult’ things so as to avoid ‘unpleasantness.’ He taught his followers to use spiritual gifts, especially love, as warfare against the evil of the world. Jesus was clear that those who believe will have crosses to bear and we will experience spiritual warfare, but that in the end the faithful will prevail: that is, in Jesus is victory. 

The events of the last few weeks have been disturbing, to say the least. Therefore, I would like to highlight some of Jesus’ teachings that may help us keep in mind that He did warn of difficult and evil things to come. There is much more, but let us reflect upon just a few teachings. First, we must remember that Jesus said He did not come "to establish peace on the earth, but rather division. From now on a household … will be divided; … a father will be divided against his son… a mother against her daughter, ….” (Luke 12: 49-53) He knew that there would be division because of the forces of the world which would powerfully thwart the Truth He taught. Indeed, from the beginning of the Church there were many pagan parents who turned their own children over to the authorities who subsequently martyred them because they refused to denounce their Christian beliefs. Not much has changed: the forces of the world continue to oppose the Kingdom of God.* 

Secondly, Jesus said numerous times in various circumstances that we are to take up our cross and follow Him. (Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) In each of these, Jesus indicated that there is a cost to discipleship and that each disciple would suffer something for the faith. Jesus suffered intensely during His Passion; prior to this, (throughout His ministry), He was clear that if we became His disciples, we should expect some form of suffering also since “no servant is above the Master.” (John 13:16) It is also interesting that Luke placed Jesus’ Transfiguration right after He outlined the conditions of discipleship. I wonder if he was trying help us understand that suffering can transfigure us into holy disciples. (I suggest prayerfully reflecting upon this possibility to see what the Lord reveals to your heart about it.) No matter, the fact remains: Jesus gave great meaning to suffering when He chose it as His way to save us. Hence, if we have committed to discipleship there will always be danger from detractors, a danger that is becoming more visible in the suffering that comes as the evil one is trying to silence our voices and our actions.

Finally, and perhaps the most important point to consider is that Jesus said, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more.” (Luke 12:4) He goes on to say that who we should fear is the one who has the power to cast into Gehenna: the evil one with his temptations and seductions. There is much power there, but Jesus reassures us that His power is greater: “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid…. I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God….” (Luke 12: 4-9) In this concise teaching Jesus said “do not be afraid” twice. (verses 4 and 7) Thus, we should take Him at His word and cling to it.

It is obvious that values are topsy-turvey these days. There are many voices clamoring for our attention in the media, social media, and in manipulative, seductive pressures everywhere. However, even with advanced technology, nothing is really all that different than it ever has been. Even so, there are (increasing) acts of vandalism against Christian churches, bodily attacks on worshippers and on those who live the faith openly as a true disciple of Jesus. Truth is attacked, Christian faith is mocked, and worst of all, it seems to be socially acceptable to do so. But we must always remember that in Jesus is victory. We must pray all the more and allow that prayer to move us to whatever action the Lord is calling us to undertake, but always by first prayerfully discerning what that call is. We do not have to be miracle workers; with the Lord our small acts can have great consequences for the good. Remember, not all Saints worked miracles while alive: neither St. Carlo Acutis nor St. Pier Giorgio Frassati worked even the smallest miracle (during life), yet both clung fearlessly to the cross of Christ and did so much good.** Let us be like them and always remember: no matter what, in Jesus is victory.

May we steadfastly put our faith in Jesus and in the power of His Cross! May we rely upon the Holy Spirit for the courage to live faithfully and to withstand spiritual warfare! And may we always remember that in Jesus is victory! Jesus, I trust in you! Peace!

                  ©Michele L. Catanese

NOTE: I am taking a blog holiday for the next couple of weeks, so there will not be a new post on October 6. However, I suggest the post from October 23, 2016 (revised for length) which is remarkably applicable after today's entry. It is a bit longer than my current posts, but perhaps that will tide you over till my next new post which will be October 20, 2025. Here is the link to the 2016 post: www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/st-john-paul-ii-be-not-afraid

* Remember that by the’ kingdom of the world’ I am referring to the Pauline notion of the difference between the flesh, (all that is not of God), and the spirit (all that is of God). This concept was best explained by St. Augustine in his monumental book, “The City of God.”  In it he describes the city of the world which is all that opposes God (the lures of fame, wealth, self-aggrandizement, idolatry, power, lack of the morals laid out by God, and an adherence to what today we would call 'my own truth.') The City of God is unity, humility, compassion, forgiveness, good works of selflessness and charity, and adherence to the teachings of Jesus and to The Truth as revealed by God, something which is not subjective.)
** St. Pier Giorgio stood up to the Blackshirts of Mussolini as fascism with its anti-church sentiment was growing. And he tirelessly worked to help the poor through his efforts at feeding and bringing medicine to them as needed. St. Carlo spent hours cataloging Eucharistic miracles so that the faith of others would be strengthened. He was also a ‘normal teenager’ and yet was known for his ‘lived faith,’ expressed whether he was speaking of it or exemplifying it through his actions.  For both of these men, their love for Christ and subsequent actions arose from the hours they spent in Eucharistic Adoration and at Mass, in addition to their other ways of praying daily. ~ In my last entry I wrote about St. Frassati and offered links, so in turn here are some links to St. Carlo Acutis. https://carloacutis-en.org/ and also https://www.carloacutis.com/en/association.

Images:
1. Painting; David and Goliath, by Titian (1542-1544)
2. Icon; Saviour of the Fiery Eye, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at fineartamerica.com/featured/saviour-of-the-fiery-eye-227-william-hart-mcnichols.html 
​The Fiery Eye icons are variations of the Christ Pantocrator image, (Sovereign of All Things). The fiery eyes symbolize God's all-knowing and purifying power, a gaze that penetrates falsehood to reveal truth and holiness. I suspect now you may understand why I chose this icon. I have paraphrased from this article: ​https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/105508/are-jesus-eyes-like-a-flame-of-fire-in-revelation-meant-to-be-interpreted-lit#:~:text=John%201:9%2C%203:,holiness%2C%20and%20judgment%20(cf.
3. My photo; rocky path up Copper Mountain, in Copper, Colorado.
4. My photo; a lone plant kept alive in the waters of a stream in Krka National Park, Croatia. Do not be afraid!
5. Photo in the public domain; Exhibition of Carlo Acutis' relic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
6. Icon; Resurrected Christ Victorious, St. Constantine and Helena Orthodox Church in Bruges. iStock.com/sedmak 

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.

​A number of years ago I participated in a pilgrimage that was “in the footsteps of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,” now a Saint, (canonized yesterday). Having never been on pilgrimage before, there was much to learn. We began in Rome and then traveled to many places where St. Frassati had either lived or which had connection to his Dominican spirituality. The culminating event of the pilgrimage was a climb up Mt. Mucrone, not far from where the family villa is located, in homage to Pier Giorgio’s love for mountain climbing. Part of the Biellese Alps, Mt. Mucrone is 7,661 feet in elevation,* so we took the funicular about halfway up the mountain and then began our ascent on foot. It was quite a workout, but by the time we made it to the top I understood better why St. Frassati adopted as his motto “Verso l’alto,” (“to the heights,” a phrase which was a reference to attaining the heights of holiness). The climb was one of the most challenging things I had ever done, physically or spiritually. It presented the realization that growth in the spiritual life requires embracing struggle, a lot of hard work, persevering through fears and whatever obstacles are encountered, and above all else, totally relying on and trusting in God. It is utterly impossible to do those things without Him.   

Pilgrimage is an important spiritual experience, and to be clear, one does not necessarily have to travel abroad to go on one.** Pilgrimage is a process which includes many aspects. The first is to realize pilgrimage actually begins before the travel; it is essential to be praying in the spirit of the pilgrimage before leaving home. Second, pilgrimage is not a vacation even though the travels can include places which are also typical of tourists. Third, it is essential to pack light, because with pilgrimage comes the discovery that we bring plenty of emotional and spiritual baggage which will be revealed by the Lord during the process, and of which we can expect healing to begin if we work with Him. Remaining open to the Lord, that is, to be in a spirit of prayer throughout, is essential to the experience. Finally, is the importance of remaining flexible; there are always surprises which emerge during the journey, not just in the externals of the trip, but in what God might reveal to a pilgrim who is traveling in this prayerful way. There will be many gifts, some of which may be apparent during the pilgrimage, and others of which will become manifest after the trip is done as one continues to reflect upon what took place during the experience.

St. Pier Giorgio Frassati often said that he felt an intimate closeness to God while climbing. Those who accompanied him attested to how he was almost as recollected during the rigors of a climb as he was during the long hours he spent in front of the tabernacle at adoration in a church. Interestingly, one of my other spiritual ‘heroes,’ St. John Henry Newman, (who as far as I know never climbed a mountain), wrote a passage that captures Pier Giorgio's attitude and sounds as if it was something St. Pier Giorgio Frassati could have written! Newman wrote: “Holy souls take a separate course; they have risen with Christ, and they are like persons who have climbed a mountain and are reposing at the top. All the noise and tumult, mist and darkness at its foot; but on the mountain’s top it is so very still, so very calm and serene, so pure, so clear, so bright, so heavenly, that to their sensations it is as if the din of earth did not sound below….” ***

It is not difficult to recognize spiritual parallels in both what is required for making the climb and in what Newman identified with arriving at the top of a mountain; the journey would make little sense if we did not keep the goal in mind. We have great resources such as Scripture and the Sacraments to help us in attaining our goal, and of these, the Eucharist is most special since it is Jesus who we receive into our bodies and souls. Even when nothing discernable happens, the greatest gift of all still takes place: we will have entered into the death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus by truly becoming filled with His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Encountering the living God in such a way, does change us, but what is most wonderful is the reality that the Eucharist is both food for the journey and a glimpse of the goal.

It is good to enter into prayer with the resolve of one making a pilgrimage or climbing a mountain. The process is the most important part, so my suggestion is to read and pray with the Scriptures and also read a book about or written by one of your spiritual heroes, a Saint or Blessed perhaps, so that it might inspire you to make the journey. We are made for relationship with God: He loves us and has given us the capability to attain the greatest intimacy with Him. By reading and praying daily, by receiving the Sacraments as often as possible, and exposing ourselves to things that encourage thoughts of God, we will find every day to be part of the great spiritual adventure of pilgrimage. Indeed, those on the journey are attracted to it because they know that at its goal is holiness, not for one’s own glory, but rather to enter with humility into the glory of the Lord and adore.

May we embrace the rigors of pilgrimage in order to come closer to the Lord! May we ask the intercession of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Henry Newman, and the saints that are our spiritual heroes! And may we find our home in the Lord when we come to the end of our pilgrimage! Verso l'alto! Let us meet in the heights! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

Note: For those unfamiliar with St. Frassati, he never went by Pier; he is called Pier Giorgio. For more on his life, you can find wonderful book suggestions about him at FrassatiUSA. https://www.frassatiusa.org/
 
*  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Mucrone
https://frassatiusa.org/mt-mucrone-pix-video
** In fact, we do not have to travel far; we can go on a retreat to experience a type of pilgrimage. Highly encouraged is making pilgrimage or retreat with a spiritual director who will guide and help in the discernment process along the way. Committing to a holy hour of prayer daily is also a type of pilgrimage.
*** Hidden From the World, a sermon by St. Cardinal John Henry Newman found in his Sermons Bearing on Subjects of the Day. This sermon is found on page 331 of The Heart of Newman, A Synthesis Arranged by Erich Przywara, SJ.

Images:
1. My photo; Mt. Mucrone from the point where the funicular stops, about midway up. If you look closely, you will see one of the members of our group tying his shoe in preparation for the hike. Even though this climb took place on St. Pier Giorgio's feast day, July 4, the white stuff barely seen on the mountain is snow.
2. My photo: Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragosa, Spain. I was on another pilgrimage, this one a Marian pilgrimage.
3. Photo from a prayer card; St. Pier Giorgio climbing a mountain with his motto printed on it. That is his handwriting.
​4. Painting; Disputation of the Holy Sacrament by Raphael (1509-1510). This painting is in the Stanze di Raffaello rooms in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. For more, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disputation_of_the_Holy_Sacrament
5. Icon; Our Lady of the Lake by Fr. William Hart McNichols. Our Lady's entire life on earth was a pilgrimage of total trust in God. Since her death, Mary has appeared in many places to which the faithful now make pilgrimage. Zaragosa, (depicted in image 2 above) was the first place she appeared, though it must be noted that she was still alive and living in Jerusalem when her appearance there took place. I love this icon because she seems to be beckoning the viewer to enter into pilgrimage with her. If you wish to purchase a copy of this icon, go to https://fineartamerica.com/featured/our-lady-of-the-lake-201-william-hart-mcnichols.html
6. Photo; St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.

7. My photo; our group arriving an 'extension' of the peak of Mt. Mucrone. I did not go to the cross because I volunteered to be the photographer. That turned out to be a good choice for me because I ended up with about 20 minutes of alone time at the other end of the peak area in which I had one of the most profound prayer experiences of the Lord in my life! It was as St. John Henry Newman described it in the quote above.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time.