Jesse's thoughts on the consecration of Russia
Todays consecration done by Pope Francis was something I never expected him to do, it was a proud to be Catholic moment, it was a watershed moment for the entire Church. He mentioned ‘Russia’ by name, that’s the key to this consecration prayer. Some people say that the evidence for this consecration being done properly and accepted by heaven is if the war in Ukraine stops. I would propose that this is not a good litmus test. Why? There has always been war and there will always be were (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:1-9). The first war erupted in heaven at the beginning of time (cf. Rev 12:7), the world will end when Christ comes back and makes war against the unbelieving people and nations (cf. Rev 19:11-19). Our Lord clarified the constant tribulation we would find in the world when he said: “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Notice, the peace he promises is internal, the world which is external brings you tribulation, suffering and affliction.
I believe the promise of peace from Our Lady of Fatima doesn’t necessarily mean the end of war. The definition of those who scream “make peace not war’ and hold up their first two finger in the shape of a ‘V’ comes from the 1960’s hippy Woodstock movement. The definition of peace for Catholics comes from the Hebrew ‘shalom’ (O.T.) and the Greek ‘irene’ (NT), which means ‘reconciliation with God through his Son Jesus Christ.’ This peace is internal, not necessarily external. This can be a universal pricking of the conscience where there is mass repentance, mass conversion and people turn toward God (ad orientem) and turn their back on satan like the people in Ninevah did at the preaching of Jonah. I hope this is a ‘wake up America’ moment, don’t hit the snooze button.
John 21:25 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." This peace was internal, reconciliation with the Father through the Son. These apostles went out and preached into a world full of hate and war, just like our world.
Finally, do not let the devil steal your peace. St Thomas Aquinas teaches that the human person has eleven emotions, demons have access to our emotions which are connected to our memories and demons are attracted to those people who cannot temper these emotions. Two of those emotions are ‘anger’ and ‘sadness’, don’t let Satan get you angry or sad, today is a day to thank God for this consecration.
Phil 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is most efficacious when it is done by someone in: Authority, the merit of your prayer depends on your ‘state of grace’, and the Precision of prayer, “pray begets what it signifies.”
1.The Pope’s office is the highest office in the world, he has FULL, PLENARY authority. By virtue of his ‘office’ his prayers are the most powerful and efficacious.
2. He went to confession right before he dd the consecration prayer, therefore he was in a ‘state of grace’ so his prayer was meritorious.
3. 'His prayer was precise (cf. Matt 7:7), he mentioned ‘Russia.’