Teaching of William Kamm - Moderator

1st February, 2004

LET OUR “YES” BE “YES”

OUR “NO” BE “NO”

Saint Francis of Assisi says: “Perfect joy does not lie in science or in different things But in doing the will of God - to be able to suffer afflictions and sorrows patiently out of love for God”.

When one suffers punishments for sins committed, it is only expiation of a debt that must be settled. But when, without having committed sins and having been good, it is granted to you to suffer, it is a great Grace, which shines in the Eyes of God.

Many people believe that because Mary had no Original Sin, and was Full of Grace, She could not sin: this is not so, because Adam and Eve were perfect – Full of Grace – yet they sinned. That means that even for us there is no reason to sin.

We can be full of Grace from the time of Baptism – so why are we not? Did not God say we would have sufficient Grace to be pleasing to God at all times, as God never allows us to be tempted or tested beyond our means?

So why do we sin?

One is not a true Catholic and a real Christian when one practices only external, formal worship; when one does not seek to practice virtues when called to completion of the law, in charity. So that we do not sin, then, we must practice living virtuously - and it seems our Community is struggling to live virtuously.

The devil is winning at this time, not only in the world, but also in our Community. Why? Because we let him enter our lives and we then compromise our faith.

Is there a solution to this endless battle for our souls? Yes, there is! Let our yes be “YES”, and our no be “NO”!

Truthfulness: faithfulness to God, and to each other. To understand God’s Will for us is simple – it is found in recollection.

To be able to follow God’s Truth is to be sincere, for sincerity is the light that brightens our road towards the goal of our purpose. The main characteristic of Jesus and Mary - and His followers - was sincerity. That is why your yes must be “YES”, and your no, “NO”.

So let no man be a liar, as untruths are like leprosy. Sincerity is the very key to happiness, for when you have a sincere heart it is always truthful; it never hides behind lies, and therefore can always be trusted. Sincerity is trust and faithfulness. Therefore, be merciful to your neighbour - and forgiving.

Here are those virtues you must practice, daily - and to help you achieve this perfection, there are corresponding Angels:

VIRTUES AND CORRESPONDING ANGELS

FAITH:

 It must be practiced; it is not merely a gift planted in our soul and intellect. It must be nurtured with acts of faith and prayers, and spiritual reading with continuity, intensity and intelligence.
HOPE:

It compliments faith; also it relies upon the Promises of God. Both faith and hope are like two wings of a bird that raises us to Heaven.
CHARITY:

Charity is the “Queen of Virtues”. It gives life to all other virtues. Saint Paul says: “If I had the eloquence of Angels and could teach and sing, and do all kinds of things, but did not do it with charity, it would be empty sounds – like clanging symbols; just noise. What then is charity: kind, patient, and meek, without emulation, without envy, without offensiveness.
PRUDENCE:

It is directly related to our will, understanding and intellect. I give you an example: speeding! Prudence governs all reason; it has docility, reasonableness, cleverness, circumspection, and caution. Passion impedes prudence, resulting in disorderly sorrow, excessive enjoyment, precipitation in actions and inconsistency, and hasty judgements.
JUSTICE:

 It is the exercise of the Love of God and man. Justice is truthfulness; expressing thankfulness.
FORTITUDE:

Conforming to reason – not anger. Patient endurance; humility.
TEMPERANCE: Regulating all natural appetites. Moderates passions by denying them expression. Modesty in words and actions. Acts always according to reason, and for the Glory of God in all things. Eating, sleeping, speaking, hearing and desiring.

THE ANGELS THAT HELP AND DEFEND
 THESE VIRTUES AGAINST THE SIN

SAINT LECHITIEL:

Prince of the Angelic Hierarchy – great comforter – was present at the Garden of Gethsemane. Angel against discouragement.
SAINT ORIPHIEL: Also one of these Angels.
SAINT ORPHAR: Angel for drug addiction; Angel of the night.
SAINT MICHAEL: Is against pride, arrogance.
SAINT GABRIEL: Is against mammon – evil spirits of covetousness and greed.
SAINT RAPHAEL: Medicine of God! Is against lust, impurities, unruliness, licentious-ness – words of complaint; (useless words) words of wrath. Too much wine leads to lust.
SAINT URIEL: Fire of God! Is against anger, hatred and impatience.
SAINT JEHUDIEL: Is against envy; jealously.
SAINT SEALTIEL: Prayer of God! Is against gluttony; drunkenness.
SAINT BARACHIEL: God’s Blessings! Is against idleness, indifference, half-heartedness.

Jesus Most Holy said: “In My Father’s House there are many places”. But to occupy them one single character is required – that of charity! One will possess his place in Heaven by having been:

bullet

A master of souls on Earth;

bullet

Another, by having been a Disciple;

bullet

Another, by suffering;

bullet

Another, by wisdom;

bullet

Another, by preaching;

bullet

Another, by a hidden life;

bullet

Some by remaining in the world, but as good citizens, children, husbands and fathers;

bullet

Some on the other hand by renouncing everything for a cloistered or monastic vocation;

But all those who dwell in the House of God – children or old people, rich or poor, learned or illiterate – must possess one single character: that of charity, which is “patient, beneficent, not envious, insolent, factious, or selfish” – the charity that loves its own brother in its neighbour and does not do to others what it does not want for itself.

The charity that checks:

bullet

Concupiscence;

bullet

Fosters faith;

bullet

Sustains hope; and creates, like a powerful tree, multiple branches from its trunk -- these are:

bullet

Fortitude;

bullet

Justice;

bullet

Prudence;

bullet

Temperance;

bullet

Humility;

bullet

Obedience;

bullet

Sincerity

Whereby the one possessing it may enter the Heavenly Jerusalem, from which the pusillanimous, (cowardly or mean spirited) incredulous, abominable, homicidal, fornicator, venomous, idolater, and liar will, be excluded – and wherein nothing impure enters.

Finally, O souls of mine, charity by itself puts the devil to flight, for:

bullet

Charity is light, and the devil loves the darkness;

bullet

Charity is wisdom, and the deceitful words of Satan are belied by Wisdom;

bullet

Charity is truth, and the evil one hates it;

bullet

And Charity is God of whom Satan cannot bear the sight.

Every disturbance which the Adversary may create by recalling past faults or suggesting present temptations, is annulled by charity, which is merciful, and exceeds the merits and desires of the creatures that love it, granting – in addition to liberation from the evil one and his disturbing acts – even what the humble, loving, creature dare not presume to obtain with his prayer.

 

Send mail to mwoa@shoal.net.au with questions or comments about this web site.
The Order of Saint Charbel Copyright © 2001 MWOA Pty. Ltd.
Last modified: January 25, 2003