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Friday, December 13, 2013
Does A Priest Need Conversion ?...Fr Elija Vella OFM Conv - and some of his missions around the world to spread THE TRUTH
http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn1103/g10.htm
Fr. Elija Vella OFM, the Official Exorcist of the Archdiocese of Malta, tells his faith story and how he came to a deeper conversion to Christ through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
After being a priest for 15 years, the Lord called me to follow Him in a new way, a way that would change my life forever. The first time I came into contact with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was when we invited a Jesuit priest, Fr Bob Faricy SJ to Malta to lead a retreat. One of the many things he said that touched me deeply was his remark that “the most difficult people to bring to conversion are priests”, and then he added “especially Jesuits”. After many years I can confirm that what Fr Bob said is true. As a priest I had reached a point in my life when I had come to believe that I had learned everything I needed to know and had fulfilled the aim of my calling. Then in 1978 God showed his mercy to me and showed me this was not true and saved me from myself.
I was sorted!
It was the year 1978 when there was a big Catholic Charismatic Renewal(CCR) international meeting in Dublin, Ireland. A group of young friends insisted that I should accompany them and I agreed. To be honest at this time I did not believe in the CCR because of the exaggerated emotions that I had seen many times being manifested by those who participated in these meetings. At the time I was teaching theology and I didn’t want anything to disturb my quiet and comfortable life. I was a member of the Provincial council of my order in Malta. I was leading retreats all over the world. I was called to speak on various TV programmes. I was writing books… I felt I was doing pretty well and didn’t feel the need of anything else. I was, so to speak “sorted” as far as my life was concerned.
Although I wasn’t keen, these young friends insisted so much that I changed my mind and decided to accompany them. They had paid the air fare for me already so I felt I couldn’t say no. As we arrived at the meeting place there were 800 priests and religious there and 2000 nuns. The programme of the conference was varied and we were divided into small groups according to our state in life. I was part of a group led by an Irishman who gave us a simple question to start with. The question was “Why are you here?” My answer was obvious I thought. “I am a theology teacher and I want to know more of this reality and have more information about it to share with others.” I never thought for a moment that I was there to receive something myself! Those who answered before me gave me what I thought were amazing and strange answers. I remember one priest said, “I am here to meet the Lord”.
Personally I could not relate to this kind of answer and I wondered how can a priest who has served the Lord for so long still need to encounter Him? His answer was thus incomprehensible to me. Even more shocking was the answer given by another priest who said, “I am here to ask the Lord to convert me.” I was deeply scandalized by such a response. I thought “how can a priest who celebrates Mass every day ask for conversion?” I started asking myself “where am I?” When my turn to answer came I replied that I was there to learn something more to teach my students. I remember the priest who was leading the group looked at me and almost ordered me to kneel down as I was in need of prayer! His invitation sounded like an order and took me so much by surprise that I obeyed and found myself kneeling down with all the other priests surrounding me, praying for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Everything went so fast that I do not really remember what happened after that except that I started crying and I realized that something inside me was being unblocked. Anyway, after this first session we all gathered together with the rest of the participants. When I met my young friends they asked me why I seemed so perturbed. I tried to change the subject because I felt embarrassed by the event that had just taken place. But they insisted so much that I confessed what really happened. They listened to me very attentively and afterwards confessed to me that they had all been praying for me for a while that I might experience conversion in my life. I felt a real change after that prayer. I was still doing the same things as before but I knew that something was different. I had the Holy Spirit in a new way and He was bringing more joy to my existence.
We have constant need of Him
We all need to open our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit. We are all called to co-operate with God in furthering His Kingdom. We can only do that when we acknowledge that we are sinners and that we have a constant need of Him and His love to be changed, transformed and converted so that we can become perfect witnesses.
Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical “Evangelii Nuntiandi” said “The world does not need theologians, but if they are needed, they have to be witnesses as well.” When I studied Dogmatic Theology we did not consider mystical experiences. as gifts of the Holy Spirit for us theologians. We saw these as belonging to spirituality and not to dogmatics. The Holy Spirit was something to be understood rationally rather than experienced mystically. For me my experience has been like someone who has lived all his life underground, talking about the sun, but who finds it difficult to believe the words of those who see the sun every day and who enjoy its light and its warmth. My real conversion consisted in trying to look at the sun rather than only speak about it. It consisted in beginning to let the Word of God flow from the mind to the heart. Remember that Mary kept all in her heart, not in her mind. It consisted in meeting Jesus rather than only speaking about him. It consisted in living the liturgy rather than doing it. It consisted in experiencing Jesus as mystics do rather than discussing the mysteries as most theologians do. I really thank God that he made me meet the Charismatic Renewal in my life. It was through this movement that Jesus met me, distracted on my road...
... and yet again Fr. Elija Vella's same testimony in one of his produced programmes - God, Ocean of Love - Missier Ocejan ta' Mhabba - on Radio Marija Malta - 11, April 2016 either --- http://radjumarija.org/april-gunju/missier-ocejan-ta-mhabba/11-04-2016/ or --- https://soundcloud.com/radju-marija-malta-581567819/il-missier-ocejan-ta-mhabba-11042016 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> More on some of the missions to spread THE TRUTH from FR ELIJA VELLA OFM CONV. Found in Youtube
Fr Elija (Elias) Vella OFM Conv.
- CCR - Catholic Charismatic Renewal
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Fr Elija (Elias) Vella OFM Convhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC13779646740AC91
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PRAYERS by Fr Elija Vella OFM Conv.
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Published on 28 Oct 2019
How does the devil attack a person? What are the weapons a Christian has against the powers of darkness? Listen to renowned exorcist Fr. Elias Vella, OFM, sharing about the many battles he has won against the forces of darkness in this Special Interview. Watch his testimony about the journey from ignorance about the existence of the devil to become a powerful exorcist and man of prayer.
========================= ========================= 12 ta' Mejju 2021 - Programm fuq TVM - L-Erbgħa fost il-Ġimgħa Konversazzjoni mal-eżorċista internazzjonali Patri Elija Vella OFM Conv. Part 1 - https://www.facebook.com/lerbgha/videos/3836973719744599 Part 2 - https://www.facebook.com/lerbgha/videos/1115687265603514 Part 3 - https://www.facebook.com/lerbgha/videos/476491753440726 Part 4 - https://www.facebook.com/lerbgha/videos/310025824039304 . |
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
GOD'S WORD on Enchantments - Witchcraft - Sorcery - Divination - Wizardry - Necromancy - Charm - Star Gazing - Astrology - Soothsaying - Prognostication - Observing Times - Magic --- & --- THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 6:24-34
John 8:44b ... the devil was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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Mt 6:24-34 -- Do Not Worry - Alla u l-flus; L-inkwiet u t-tħassib
Alla u l-flus (Lq 16, 13) [Mt:6:24] "Ħadd ma jista' jaqdi żewġ sidien; għax jew ikun jobgħod lil wieħed u jħobb lill-ieħor, jew jintrabat ma' wieħed u jistmell lill-ieħor. Ma tistgħux taqdu lil Alla u lill-flus. L-inkwiet u t-tħassib (Lq 12, 22-31) [Mt:6:25] "Għalhekk ngħidilkom: tinkwetawx ruħkom għal ħajjitkom, x'se tieklu jew x'tixorbu, anqas għal ġisimkom x'se tilbsu. Jaqaw il-ħajja m'hijiex aqwa mill-ikel, u l-ġisem aqwa mill-ilbies? [Mt:6:26] Ħarsu lejn l-għasafar tas-sema; la jiżirgħu u lanqas jaħsdu u lanqas igeddsu fl-imħażen, u madankollu Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet jitmagħhom! Intom ma tiswewx aktar minnhom? [Mt:6:27] U min minnkom, bl-inkwiet kollu tiegħu, se jseħħlu jtawwal għomru mqar b'jum wieħed biss? [Mt:6:28] U għall-ilbies għalfejn tinkwetaw ruħkom? Ħarsu lejn il- ġilji ta' l-għelieqi, kif jikbru! U la jitħabtu u lanqas jinsġu. [Mt:6:29] Madankollu, ngħidilkom, anqas Salamun, fil-glorja kollha tiegħu, ma kien jilbes bħal wieħed minnhom. [Mt:6:30] Mela jekk Alla jlibbes hekk imqar ħaxixa selvaġġa li llum hawn u għada tinxteħet fil-forn, kemm aktar lilkom, nies ta' fidi ċkejkna! [Mt:6:31] Għalhekk toqogħdux tinkwetaw ruħkom u tgħidu, "X'se nieklu?' jew 'X'se nixorbu?' jew 'X'se nilbsu?', [Mt:6:32] għax dawn huma kollha ħwejjeġ li jfittxuhom il-pagani. Imma Missierkom li hu fis-smewwiet jaf li dan kollu teħtiġuh. [Mt:6:33] Mela fittxu l-ewwel is-Saltna u l-ġustizzja ta' Alla, u dan kollu jingħatalkom ukoll. [Mt:6:34] Mela toqogħdux tħabblu raskom għall-għada, għax il-jum ta' għada jħabbel rasu hu għalih innifsu. Biżżejjed hu għall-jum it-taħbit tal-ġurnata." |
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http://christianaction-org-za.win07.glodns.net/GDL/articles/God's_Word_witchcraft.htm
1. ENCHANTMENTS: The act of influencing by charms and incantations the practice of magical arts.
God spoke, and these were His words (Exodus 20:1-6):ENCHANTER: A sorcerer, magician, one who uses the voice or music to bring another under psychic control. Leviticus 19:26 - Do not practise any kind of magic. Deuteronomy 18:10-14 - Don't sacrifice your children in the fires on your altars; and don't let your people practise divination or look for omens or use spells or charms, and don't let them consult the spirits of the dead. The LORD your God hates people who do these disgusting things, and that is why he is driving those nations out of the land as you advance. Be completely faithful to the LORD. Then Moses said, "In the land you are about to occupy, people follow the advice of those who practise divination and look for omens, but the LORD your God does not allow you to do this. 2 Chronicles 33:6 - Manasseh sacrificed his sons... as burnt-offerings. He practised divination and magic and consulted fortune-tellers and mediums. He sinned greatly against the LORD and stirred up his anger. 2 Kings 17:17 - They [Israel and Judah] sacrificed their sons and daughters as burnt?offerings to pagan gods; they consulted mediums and fortune?tellers, and they devoted themselves completely to doing what is wrong in the LORD's sight, and so aroused his anger. Isaiah 47: 8-11 - The LORD says to Babylon: "Listen to this, you lover of pleasure, you that think you are safe and secure. You claim you are as great as God ? that there is no one else like you. You thought that you would never be a widow or suffer the loss of your children. But in a moment, in a single day, both of these things will happen. In spite of all the magic you use, you will lose your husband and children. Jeremiah 27:9 - The LORD Almighty... told me to tell them... "Do not listen to... anyone who claims he can predict the future, either by dreams or by calling up the spirits of the dead or by magic. Jeremiah 29:8-9 - I the LORD, the God of Israel, warn you not to let yourselves be deceived by the prophets who live among you or by any others who claim they can predict the future. Do not pay any attention to their dreams. Daniel 1:20 - No matter what question the king asked, or what problem he raised, these four (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) knew ten times more than any fortune?teller or magician in the whole kingdom. 2. WITCHCRAFT: The practice of dealing with evil spirits, the use of sorcery or magic. Deuteronomy 18.10-12; 2 Chronicles 33:6; (as above) 1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion against [the LORD] is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry. Because you rejected the LORD's command, he has rejected you... Galatians 5:19-21 - What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn. you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God? 3. SORCERY. The use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits, especially for divining. Jeremiah 27:.9; Isaiah 47:.9 (as above) Revelation 21:8 - But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practise magic, those who worship idols, and all liars ? the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death? 4. DIVINATION: Fortune-telling. Deuteronomy 18.10-14; 2 Kings 17:17; Jeremiah 27:8-9; Jeremiah 29:8-9Acts 16:16-24 - One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a young servant-woman who had an evil spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you how you can be saved! " She did this for many days, until Paul became so upset that he turned round and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I order you to come out of her!" The spirit went out of her that very moment. When her owners realized that their chance of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the authorities in the public square. They brought them before the Roman officials and said, "These men are Jews, and they are causing trouble in our city"... And the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas. 5. WIZARDRY: The art of practices of a wizard, sorcery. WIZARD: One skilled in magic; sorcerer; witch. Deut. 18: 11; 2 Kings 17:17 (as above) Exodus 22:18 - Put to death any woman who practises magic. 6. NECROALANCY: Communication with the dead, conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events. Deut. 18:11 (as above) I Samuel 28:1-25 - ... Saul had forced all the fortune?tellers and mediums to leave Israel... When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified, and so he asked the LORD what to do. But the LORD did not answer him at all... Then Saul ordered... "Find me a woman who is a medium, and I will go and consult her." "There is one in Endor," they answered. So Saul disguised himself,... and after dark he went with two of his men to see the woman. "Consult the spirits for me and tell me what is going to happen," he said to her. "Call up the spirit of the man I name."... 'Whom shall I call up for you?" the woman asked. "Samuel," he answered... Samuel said, "Why do you call me when the LORD has abandoned you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you what he told you through me: he has taken the kingdom away from you and given it to David instead... He will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will join me..." Isaiah 8:19-20 - People will tell you to ask for messages from fortune?tellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, "After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living." You are to answer them, "Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums - what they tell you cannot keep trouble away." I Chronicles 10: 13-14 - Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD. He disobeyed the LORD's commands; he tried to find guidance by consulting the spirits of the dead instead of consulting the LORD. So the LORD killed him and gave control of the kingdom to David son of Jesse. 7. CHARM: Put a spell upon someone; to affect by magic. Deut. 18: 11 (as above) Isaiah 19:3-4 - I am going to frustrate the plans of the Egyptians and destroy their morale. They will ask their idols to help them, and they will go and consult mediums and ask the spirits of the dead for advice. I will hand the Egyptians over to a tyrant, to a cruel king who will rule them. 1, the LORD Almighty, have spoken. 8. STAR GAZING / ASTROLOGY: The divination of the supposed influence of the stars upon human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects. Daniel 1:18-20(as above) Isaiah 47:12-15 - The LORD says: "Keep all your magic spells and charms; you have used them since you were young. Perhaps they will be of some help to you; perhaps you can frighten your enemies. You are powerless in spite of the advice you get. Let your astrologers come forward and save you - those people who study the stars, who map out the zones of the heavens and tell you from month to month what is going to happen to you. They will be like bits of straw, and a fire will bum them up. They will not even be able to save themselves..." Jeremiah 10:2-3 - The LORD says, "Do not follow the ways of other nations; do not be disturbed by unusual sights in the sky, even though other nations are terrified. The religion of these people is worthless." Daniel 2:1-49 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream. God shows Daniel what the Dream means. - Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed to the ground... [and] said, "Your God is the greatest of all gods, the Lord over kings, and the, one who reveals mysteries... Then he gave Daniel a high position. Daniel 4:1-37 - Nebuchadnezzar's second Dream. Daniel explains the Dream. - At last the king says: "And now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honour, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just, and he can humble anyone who acts proudly."Daniel 5:7-15 - [King Belshazzar] shouted for someone to bring in the magicians, wizards, and astrologers. When they came in, the king said to them, "Anyone who can read this writing [on the wall] and tell me what it means will be dressed in robes of royal purple..." but none of them could read the writing or tell the king what it meant... The queen mother... said... "There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him... so send for this man Daniel ...... 9. SOOTHSAYING: The act of foretelling events; prophesying by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit. Joshua 13:22 - Among those whom the people of Israel killed was the fortune-teller Balaam son of Beor. Micah 5:12-15 - The LORD says: "I will destroy the magic charms you use and leave you without any fortunetellers." Acts 16.16-18 (as above) 10. PROGNOSTICATION: To foretell from signs or symptoms; prophesying without the Holy Spirit; soothsaying. Isaiah 47.12-15; Joshua 13:22, Micah S. 12-15; Acts 16.16-18 (as above) 11. OBSERVING TIMES: Astrology. Lev. 19:26; Deut 18:10-14; 2 Chron 31:6 (as above) 2 Kings 21:4-6 - Manasseh also worshipped the stars. He built... altars for the worship of the stars. He sacrificed his son as a burnt-offering. He practised divination and magic and consulted fortune-tellers and mediums. He sinned greatly against the LORD and stirred up his anger. 12. MAGIC: Witchcraft. Deut 18.10-12; 2 Chron. 33.?6; 1 Sam 15.23 (as above). "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves. Worship no god but Me Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals I bring punishment on those who hate Me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. But I show My love to thousands of generations of those who love Me and obey My laws. |
Friday, December 06, 2013
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