Little Fortresses
One
In Act 2:42, we are given the founding principles for how the faith was lived out in the early community: “And the disciples devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, to prayer, to the breaking of the bread (Eucharist and Sacraments) and fellowship.” (Acts 2:42.) The first Christians did not until a few generations later build churches. Instead, they gathered in each other’s homes for their Eucharistic meals, praying and living under the same roof. Despite the beautiful tradition that has since developed of worshipping in dedicated Churches, the home is still venerated and respected as the space where we pray, live, work and encounter God every day. Our homes are fertile ground for encounters with the living God. When we make our homes places of prayer coupled with living and growing in virtue with one another, we will enjoy the peace and security of a home that is now a refuge for growth in faith. Notice: the early disciples had no right to free speech or practice of religion; no financial plan; no military; no parishes; no technology! They possessed one key transforming ingredient, the only ingredient that matters: their living faith! The early Christians made no distinction between “Where I live” and “Where I worship”. They exhibited a beautiful unity of life and faith. And this faith conquered the world! And you, are you a conqueror?
Two
Monasteries were built in the Middle Ages to be refuges from a world of violence, sin and bloodshed. Within the walls of these monasteries, prayer, study, community, and mission flourished. These monasteries were often built like fortresses to offer safety and protection from bloodthirsty raiders, thus offering protection from spiritual and physical harm. When the Roman empire collapsed, it was the monasteries that people looked to for protection and learning. The work of the monks became the seedbed for the new civilization that emerged after the pagan culture collapsed. Where do we find these fortresses and seedbeds today? Proverbs tells us, “whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26.) We can make our home a little monastery, a place of prayer and refuge. The rosary, meditating on the Sacred Scriptures and the writings of the saints, studying teachings of the Church and other good spiritual reading should take priority. Studying the truths of our faith strengthens our skeptical tendencies enabling us to develop a God-centered worldview that changes structures and habits of sin in our lives. St. Theresa of Avila encourages us to bless our house often with holy water to chase the demons away (yes, this really works!) Christ, not the T.V., should be the center of our living and family rooms. Consider this Christmas investing in a beautiful work of sacred art as a present for the home. This will transform the household, bringing its appearance closer to the sacred reality of our little monasteries. Lord, teach us to make our homes places where we cultivate love of you and growth in the truth.
Three
But as Acts of the Apostles reveals to us, prayer, study, and devotion are important components, but not the only components of a happy, holy life that transforms. The early Christians devoted themselves to growing in virtue by living close to each other, and by taking on this mission of spreading the faith. In so doing, they were able to ‘hide in plain sight.’ It would be another 300 years before the Catholic Christian faith would be allowed to be practiced publicly. But their holiness of life and dogged determination enabled the Church to flourish despite Roman persecution. Therefore, we can also fearlessly follow the instructions of Jesus. But how do we live boldly as Christians in a world that hates Religion? “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34
Fourth
St. John of the Cross offers this advice to novices in the monastery, but it is fitting for family life as well: “Understand that you have come to the monastery so that all may fashion you and try you. Thus, to free yourself from the imperfections and disturbances … and to draw profit from every occurrence, you should think that all in the community are artisans - as indeed they are - present there in order to prove you; that some will fashion you with words, others by deeds, and others with thoughts against you” (St. John of the Cross. The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross . ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.)
When you’re in a community, whether it is a family, team, club or friend group, any and every person can be the hammer and chisel God uses to help us grow in virtue. Most of us are spending a lot of time at home these days and this offers the greatest opportunity to grow in virtue. If we’re not growing in virtue, then perhaps we are too used to relaxed behaviors at home. We should allow our homes to be places of rest, but we must be diligent to also see our homes as the workshops where we are purified into masterpieces of virtue and beauty.
Five
St. Paul tells us, “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6: 11-13.) We are called to be soldiers, to fight and rescue souls, not just be complacent or inactive. When Jesus tells us that the gates of Hell will not prevail against us, he is telling us to be on the Attack, gates do not move, they block attackers. This means that we are the ones to press the battle forward, not our enemies. If our enemies seem to have the upper hand, its because we either don’t see the whole truth, or we are not fighting hard enough! Onward Christian solder was an Anglican hymn from the 19th Century, and the second verse goes like this, “At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; On, then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!” Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart is the sign of this Triumph, as our Lord has prepared her to be our holy Ark of the New Covenant. (cf. Rev 12.) So, let us shelter under Jesus’ cloak of peace and Mary’s mantle of victory, and cease worry and fear, but keep on at the task of transforming society through our family. Let us make our homes into little monastic fortresses, and from them, we will rebuild the culture and save souls!