As Eric Voegelin rightly observed, “a man is not obliged to participate in the crisis of his times.” Yet far too many of us do exactly that, by our apathy, inaction and ambivalence. Yet, Christian men, facing the war raging all around us, in both the spiritual and worldly realms, are called to put on the whole armor of God in defense of their families, their Church, their Christian civilization and their immortal souls. But we’re not just talking about a defensive battle, for this war to save a civilization in decline requires us to go on offense, using the weapons from God to vanquish the forces of evil. Pope St. Pius recognized this need to take the battle to the enemy, in identifying the great need for “shock troops”, a well-trained military unit of devout warrior saints who take the fight to the ancient enemy on his turf. Jesus in establishing His Church promised that the gates of hell will not stand against His Church, meaning that we’re the ones that should be on offense taking the fight to the very gates of hell, which will surely fail before a united Church.

      Yes, the odds are great, and we are humble and small, but our smallness and weakness is actually our advantage, for when we are weak, then we are powerful (2 Corinthians 12:10). This is just as true today as it was for a young shepherd boy named David when staring down an invincible giant named Goliath, except that instead of a teenage shepherd chosen by God it’s actually you, and the giant Philistine smugly standing over you represents the evil culture bent on destroying us and all we hold dear.  Like the soon to be man after God’s own heart, the future King David who chose as his weapon of choice, five small stones, we too have to choose and use five spiritual stones, to fell this infernal beast whose hold on the current culture seems secure. “For the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4,5) What are these other-wordly weapons-these Five Stones to Victory, which we need not only for ourselves, but to teach and give to our families?

First Stone: Daily Prayer- St. Augustine told us how essential prayer is: “Man lives if he breathes; prayer is the breath for the Christian.” We need to talk and listen to God, every single day, which conforms us unto Him and enables us to fully receive His powerful graces.

 
Second Stone: Weekly Fasting- To those who are able, bread and water fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays (Didache 8.1) supercharge your prayer, and enable you to conquer evil, as some spirits can only be driven out with prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). To those who can’t, practice other types of fasting and acts of self-denial, sacrifice, and delayed gratification.
 

Third Stone: Frequent Reception of The Holy Eucharist- As the Eucharist is the very heart of our faith, frequent and worthy reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, at least every Sunday and Holy Day, must be the center of our lives, as it elevates our very nature helping us to become what we receive.

 
Fourth Stone: Daily Reading of Scripture- Every day we should spend time reading sacred scripture, even the daily Mass readings, as it is the very word of God. We should also place the Holy Bible in a place of honor in our homes, and prove that Catholics not only own, but actually read the Bible.

Fifth Stone: Monthly Confession-Humility leads to confession which leads to conversion, transforming us into the people God created us to be. Being in a state of grace, and filling our purified souls with His blessings and graces which we receive from the other four stones, qualifies and equips us to go out and change the world.

Please know, these Five Stones were not just pulled out of thin air, but have been called for by none other than the Mother of God, as the divine antidote for our decaying families and culture. Which reminds me that a healthy devotion to our mother, is the surest way to be led into an intimate relationship with her Son.