Just read Marks latest post on his blog. Im a huge fan of his and have been reading his blog for a long time. I was struck by a sense of concern for him at his latest post; wherin he speaks of how difficult his ministry is sometimes, losing touch with friends, family and now hes hinting at a tough financial situation due to lower than expected sales of his new album. I'll pray for him a lot tonight and over the coming days - he is such an inspiration, and I hope "time to take a rest" as announced on his twitter feed tonight, will just mean a short break before continuing on his fantastic ministry.
I will pray for him too, he should take a rest, even reading of his doings exhausts me and with a large family....
Here's his blog The Watchman’s Song IF I may recall briefly here a powerful experience eight years ago when the Holy Spirit drove me to a church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament… I had been sitting at the piano in my home, singing “Sanctus” (on my album Here You Are). Suddenly, this inexplicable hunger rose up within me to visit Jesus in the Tabernacle. I hopped in the car, and a few minutes later, I was pouring my heart and soul out before Him in a beautiful Ukrainian Church in the town I was living in at the time. It was there, in the Lord’s presence, where I heard an interior calling to respond to John Paul II’s call to the youth to become “watchmen” at the dawn of the new millennium. One of the Scriptures the Lord led me to at that time was Ezekiel Chapter 33: The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: When I bring the sword against a land… and the watchman sees the sword coming against the land, he should blow the trumpet to warn the people… I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear a word from my mouth, you must warn them for me. (Ezekiel 33:1-7)Such a task is not one a person would choose. It comes with a great cost: ridicule, segregation, indifference, the loss of friends, family, and even reputation. On the other hand, the Lord has made it easy in these times. For I have only had to repeat the words of the popes who have enunciated with perfect clarity both the hope and the trials awaiting this generation. Indeed, it was Benedict himself who said that the rapid departure from any kind of moral norms in our times has now put the “very future of the world at risk.”1 And yet, he also prayed for a “new Pentecost” and called the youth to be “prophets of a new age” of love, peace, and dignity. But that Scripture of Ezekiel does not end there. The Lord goes on to describe what becomes of the watchman: My people come to you, gathering as a crowd and sitting in front of you to hear your words, but they will not act on them. Love songs are on their lips, but in their hearts they pursue dishonest gain. For them you are only a singer of love songs, with a pleasant voice and a clever touch. They listen to your words, but they do not obey them… (Ezekiel 33:31-32)On the day I wrote my “report” to the Holy Father,2 a summary of what I have “seen” and “see” coming in the years and decades ahead, my new album of “love songs”, Vulnerable, was being set for production. I confess, it seemed to me to be more than coincidence, for it wasn’t planned that way. These just happened to be the songs sitting there that I felt the Lord wanted recorded. And I also ask myself, has anyone really heard the cries and warnings? Yes, a few to be certain. The conversion stories I have read as a fruit of this ministry have brought me to tears at times. And yet, how many in the Church have heard the warnings, have heeded the message of Mercy and hope that awaits all who embrace Jesus? As the world and nature itself free-falls into chaos, it almost seems as though people cannot hear. The competition for their senses and time is almost indomitable. Indeed, on that day the Lord called me before the Blessed Sacrament, one of the Scriptures I read was from Isaiah: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am”, I said; “send me!” And he replied: “Go and say to this people: Listen carefully, but do not understand! Look intently, but do not perceive! Make the heart of this people sluggish, dull their ears and close their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and their heart understand, and they turn and be healed.” “How long, O Lord?” I asked. And he replied: “Until the cities are desolate, without inhabitants, Houses, without people, and the land is a desolate waste. Until the Lord sends the people far away, and great is the desolation in the midst of the land.” (Isaiah 6:8-12)It is as if the Lord sends His messengers to fail, to become a “sign of contradiction” as it were. When one thinks of the prophets in the Old Testament, of John the Baptist, of St. Paul and of Our Lord Himself, it indeed seems as though the spingtime of the Church is always effected in that seed: the blood of the martyrs. If the word has not converted, it will be blood that converts. —POPE JOHN PAUL II, from poem “Stanislaw”I have tried to be faithful, tried to always write what I felt the Lord was saying—not what I wanted to say. I recall the first five years of this writing apostolate, carried out in sheer terror that somehow I would lead souls astray. For my part, I ask forgiveness from the Body of Christ for in any way that I have failed to convey the joyful hope and gift that is the message of salvation. I know some have categorized me as a person of “doom and gloom.” Yes, I understand why they would say that, hence the reason I have always deferred to the stark warnings of the popes. But it is not all warning. I am in absolute awe and wonder at the Holy Pontiff that God has raised up for this hour. Pope Francis is pointing us again to the very essence of our doctrines, catecheses, encyclicals, dogmas, councils and canons… and that is a profound and personal relationship with Jesus. The Holy Father is teaching the Church once again the simplicity, authenticity, poverty, and humility that must become the character of the People of God. He is showing the world once again the true face of Jesus through a mission of love and mercy. He is teaching the Church that her essence is to become a people of praise, of hope, of joy. Yes, these are all things I hope to become in the rest of the days allotted for my life. As I have said repeatedly: this is not the time to build cement bunkers, but cement our lives in the refuge of the Sacred Heart. To put our whole trust in Jesus, to obey without compromise all His commandments, to love the Holy Trinity with all one’s heart, soul, and strength. In this Way, which is the Truth, we find that Life that brings light to the world. I cannot help but feel that my album Vulnerable is somewhat of a “bookend” to the past eight years. Not that I am finished writing, speaking, or singing. No, I don’t want to presume anything. But I am also living the words of Ezekiel and Isaiah in a profound way at this moment, such that it calls for a time of silence and reflection. What is Jesus asking of me now? What does He want of me personally? How am I to provide for my family (for I remortgaged my farm to finance my album and ministry the past year, and we are utterly broke. My office informs me that since my CD was released, we have barely sold enough to pay the electric bill… my CD’s being to me what tents were to St. Paul.) What next… what next Lord? And so I need to take a few days, and perhaps longer, to reflect and pray, to rest… if just for a moment. This ministry, like most ministries do, has taken its toll. The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:30)Every day, I pray for the readers here, and continue to carry all of you in my heart. Please remember me too in your prayers. May Jesus always and everywhere be loved and glorified.
I think someone called to a great ministry like his will always hang on a Cross, we have only to look at the Prophets in Scripture to see this. I sorry he seems to be going through a terrible time at the moment. I hope the ridicule and indiffernece he speaks of does not come from our fellow Cathilcs, but very sadly I suspect at least some of it does, how sad, but not unexpected. I rember they ued to treat Padre Pio the very same way. I used to be very surprised that they did for it was so very celar he was a great saint and I could never understand how our fellow Catholics, especially in the Vatican could not see that. When he writes of, 'sheer terror that somehow I would lead souls astray.' I very much sympathise. I have prayed over and voer again to check and recheck if I am doing and writing the right things on this forum and have several times though of closing it down. But each time in prayer from Mary get the graces and light to carry on. Its not often I wish I had money for if I had I would send him some. But I have better than money, I ahve prayer and will pray to the Lord to help hi in this great hour of need. I will see if I can rsutle up a few pennies too. Much prayer.
The question of the 'sign of contradiction' is really worth meditating upon in depth; my sense is that Mark is touching on a deep spiritual dynamic concerning vocation (particularly prophetic vocation) which is so contrary to the thinking of the world that it is only visible to the eyes of faith. If you follow what he's saying in relation to Isaiah 6, God provides the prophetic inspiration - but also in some mysterious way sets it up to fail (because of human hardness of heart)in the short-term. That sounds schizophrenic, but God's dealings with the Biblical prophets - and supremely with His Son during his life on earth - show clear examples of this pattern. He doesn't actively will the prophets' rejection (nor excuse those who refuse to hear the message as if they weren't responsible), but He certainly permits it. Why should God do this to someone when it would seem so much simpler and more 'logical' for the prophet to 'succeed'? Well, taking a stab at possible reasons besides spiritual opposition a) there is an element of personal sanctification through rejection, as it is a mystical participation in the Cross and b) there is some evidence that an injustice undergone voluntarily and offered up sacrificially to God is used by Him not only for the spiritual benefit of others on earth, but also for that of the Church suffering in purgatory. Again, Christ is the pattern, but Christians are called to 'make up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions', to quote Paul. Not a popular message but definitely a Biblical one. Gotta feel for Mark and his family - time to buy some of his music!!
Nothing ever makes me more suspicious than a popular saint/seer/ prophet. If I don't see the shadow of the Cross I run for cover. I suppose this goes to a greater or lesser degree to the rest of us Catholics.
As a father of 6 kids and an obsession with the Blessed Mother, Christ, and His church I feel the pain I believe Mark is experiencing. The movie "It's a Wonderful Life" has a scene where Jimmy Stewart asks Clarence the angel to pay for the drinks. Clarence responds "well we don't have money in heaven" and Jimmy replies, "well it comes in pretty handy down here bub." Mark has a wife and 6 or 7 kids and like Peter B said, it's time to buy some of his music. Pray, hope, and don't worry (the hard part), St Padre Pio
Padraig, I was just thinking of your comment above the other day. You need to know that not everyone will gain from your web site forum. However, I for one, have found it a great blessing in my life. I have learned many many things from those on this forum that years of reading books could not provide and I want to thank you personnaly for this. If you ever give it up I will loose my ability to chat with like minded Catholics from around the world, and that my friend is not easy to find (and I will send Glenn to Karate chop you one). I can chat with my family, friends church-goers.... but it is not a conversation about developing faith understanding. It is a one way discussion between my self and a "sound board". Thanks for all you have done for us on this fourm. Your my hero!
Thanks, I'm blushing. I think with something like this I have to keep checking in with the boss (who happens to be the Queen of Heaven) to see I am not going off the rails. I think that's one thing I appreciate with Mark Mallet , that he is so clearly doing this. But his is not a small little thing like this, his is huge so I suppose the bigger the apostolate the bigger the trial. He certainly seems to be going through the fires. It reminds me of Mother Teresa walking out into Calcutta in the ghetto's for the first time.... is so polite, which sounds small but is a kind of exquisite charity, I think.... Many prayers for him and for yourself ,Fatima for your kindness.
Thanks, I'm blushing. I think with something like this I have to keep checking in with the boss (who happens to be the Queen of Heaven) to see I am not going off the rails. I think that's one thing I appreciate with Mark Mallet , that he is so clearly doing this. But his is not a small little thing like this, his is huge so I suppose the bigger the apostolate the bigger the trial. He certainly seems to be going through the fires. It reminds me of Mother Teresa walking out into Calcutta in the ghetto's for the first time.... also he is so always polite, which sounds small but is a kind of exquisite charity, I think.... Many prayers for him and for yourself ,Fatima for your kindness.
Marks latest series of posts are very interesting. Looks like he will be focusing more on his blog/TV/book ministry from now on.
Mark's latest blog Prowling for Pray Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Pet 5:8-9) St. Peter’s words are frank. They should awaken every single one of us to a stark reality: we are being hunted daily, hourly, every second by a fallen angel and his minions. Few people understand this relentless assault on their souls. In fact, we live in a time where some theologians and clergy have not only downplayed the role of demons, but have denied their existence altogether. Perhaps it is divine providence in a way when movies such as the The Exorcism of Emily Rose or The Conjuring based on “true events” appear on the silver screen. If people do not believe in Jesus through the Gospel message, perhaps they will believe when they see His enemy at work.1 But Peter does not panic. Rather, he says, be “sober and vigilant.” In fact, it is the devil who is the frightened one, stalking at a distance from any soul who is in communion with God. For such a soul is empowered through Baptism to not only counter-attack but crush the enemy: Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:19-20)Yet, the wisdom of the Apostles comes through when Peter warns that even Christians imbued with divine power are not impenetrable, not invincible. The possibility to not only fall back, but to lose one’s salvation remains: …a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him. For if they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of [our] Lord and savior Jesus Christ, again become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. (2 Pet 2:19-21) STEALING YOUR PRAY To destroy a sincere Christian—that is, lead him into mortal sin—is a more difficult task. I remember meeting with Monsignor John Essef, a priest, exorcist, and friend of St. Pio. He paused at one point, looked deeply into my eyes and said, “Satan knows he cannot take you from a 10 to a 1. But he only needs to take you from a 10 to a 9—to distract you enough that you are no longer hearing the Lord’s voice.” Those words described the spiritual battle that surrounds me 18 hours of the day. And it applies to most of us, I believe. In the wild, a lion often comes and steals the prey of another predator. In the spiritual life, the devil comes to steal your pray. For once a Christian stops praying, he becomes easy prey. One priest relayed that his bishop once said that he did not know of any priest in his diocese who left the priesthood without first leaving his prayer life. Once they stopped praying the Office, he said, the rest was history. SAVING GRACE Now, what I am writing here is the most important thing I could ever say to you at this time in the world—and it is straight out of the Catechism: Prayer is the life of the new heart. It ought to animate us at every moment. But we tend to forget him who is our life and our all. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2697Simply put, if a Christian is not praying, his heart is dying. Elsewhere, the Catechism states that: …prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father… —CCC, 2565If we aren’t praying, we have no relationship with God. Then who do we have a relationship with but the spirit of the world? And what fruit does this begin to produce in us but the fruit of death? I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. (Gal 5:16)To live by the Spirit is to be a praying person. Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty said: Slowly, we begin to understand that the Catholic faith is not only a matter of attending Mass on Sundays and doing the bare minimum the Church requires. Living the Catholic faith is a way of life that embraces every minute of our waking and sleeping hours and permeates our lives at work, at home, in school, on a date, from the cradle to the grave. —from Dear Parents; in Moments of Grace, July 25th I love my wife and I think about her all the time because she loves me and has given her “yes” to me. The decisions I make, then, involve her, her happiness, and what her will is. Jesus loves me infinitely more and gave His “yes” to me on the Cross. And so I want to love Him with all my heart. This is what it means to pray, then. It is to breath in the life of Jesus this moment, and exhale Jesus the next. To make decisions moment by moment that involve him, what makes Him happy, what is His will. “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,” said St. Paul, “do everything for the glory of God.”2 If I don’t understand this radical gift of self, it’s probably because I am not praying! For it is precisely in prayer, in relationship, that I learn to love God and let Him love me—just as I have fallen more and more in love with my wife over the years because we have a relationship. And thus, prayer—like marriage—takes an act of the will. This is why the Fathers of the spiritual life… insist that prayer is a remembrance of God often awakened by the memory of the heart: “We must remember God more often than we draw breath.” But we cannot pray “at all times” if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it. —CCC, 2697So you see, Satan prowls like a roaring lion looking to steal your pray. In doing so, he begins to starve you of the grace you need to do God’s will. For, Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions. —CCC, 2010When you no longer “seek first the kingdom of Heaven,”3 Satan has now taken you from a 10 to a 9. From there, a 9 to 5 is not so hard, and a 5 to a 1 becomes dangerously easy. I will be blunt: if you are not cultivating a sincere prayer life with God, you will lose your faith in these days of tribulation. The spirit of the world—of antichrist—is so intense, so prevalent, so all-encompassing in nearly every facet of society today, that without being firmly rooted on the Vine, you risk becoming a dead branch that will be pruned away and thrown into the fire. But this is not a threat! Never! It is, rather, an invitation into the Heart of God, into the Great Adventure of becoming one in love with the Creator of the universe. It is prayer that has saved me—I who, in the beginning of my ministry, found it so difficult to sit still, let alone pray. Now prayer is my lifeline… yes, the life of my new heart. And in it, I find Him whom I love even though, for now, I cannot see Him. Sometimes prayer is still difficult, dry, even repulsive (as the flesh opposes the Spirit). But when I let the Spirit, rather than the flesh guide me, then I am preparing the soil of my heart to bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, patience, kindess, self control…4 Jesus awaits you in prayer! Stay sober, be vigilant—watch and pray. And that prowling lion will keep his distance. It is a matter of spiritual life and death. So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. (James 4:7-8)
wow...this statement, especially what I underlined, stands out like nothing else: I will be blunt: if you are not cultivating a sincere prayer life with God, you will lose your faith in these days of tribulation. The spirit of the world—of antichrist—is so intense, so prevalent, so all-encompassing in nearly every facet of society today, that without being firmly rooted on the Vine, you risk becoming a dead branch that will be pruned away and thrown into the fire. No wonder our lady at Medj always says, pray, pray, pray
Yes, a lot to think about there. Not only about the importance of a deep prayer life but also about the severity of the times we are entering. I know we are to be prepared, not scared, but... I can't help trembling at least a little when I think about it.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
'2732 The most common yet most hidden temptation is our lack of faith. .... Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned.40.' The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Marks latest post seems to keep the tend of increasing urgency: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/reaping-the-whirlwind/#more-15587 I could read his stuff all day.
I admire Mark so much for putting so much effort in to his posts. I agree with every word of it; it is exactly what we have been writing on the forum. I am so sad because I suspect this forum and Mark are effectively preaching to the converted. I wish the Bishops, the Cardinals and dare I say it, the Holy Father would speak out frankly and to the point. Warn people. Call them to prayer and fasting. I don't mean in shadowy hints, I mean open and forthright like Mark. of course it will scare many people, it will scare many of them half out of their senses , but they need scared.
