Cdl. Robert Sarah Gives 5 Pieces of Advice in the Realm of 'Crisis of Faith' in the World

Photo by: François-Régis Salefran, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In Mexico, Cardinal Robert Sarah, the former Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, presented valuable guidance amidst the prevailing crisis of faith faced by the world today.

The Cardinal presented the magisterial conference Witnesses of the truth in a world of crisis to La Salle University, Mexico City campus on Monday, June 26.

In todays world, according to the African Cardinal, there is an overwhelming amount of confusion, ambiguity, and uncertainty prevailing in doctrinal and moral instruction in both external society and within the Church itself, specifically concerning Christs identity and the salvation He offers.

𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝

He emphasized the importance of immersing oneself in the teachings of the Bible, as it provides guidance and strength to resist the temptations of evil. The Cardinal encouraged the participants to delve deep into the scriptures, studying and meditating on its verses regularly.

Quoting Matthew 4:1-11, he reminded everyone how Jesus, despite being led into the desert by the devil, triumphed over temptation by using the Word of God. This passage served as a powerful example of how knowing and applying scripture can help individuals overcome spiritual battles.

Cardinal Sarah stressed that in today's world, where evil seems to be prevalent in various forms, it is crucial for believers to arm themselves with the Word. He urged them not only to read but also to internalize and live out its teachings in their daily lives.

Furthermore, he highlighted that familiarity with scripture enables individuals to discern between truth and falsehood. Just as Jesus responded to Satan's temptations with scriptural truths, Cardinal Sarah encouraged everyone to do likewise.

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2. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫

The Cardinal continued, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a fundamental weapon in our lives. He acknowledged that Pope Benedict XVI had set a remarkable example during the last decade of his life, demonstrating the transformative power of prayer.

The Cardinal urged everyone not to cease their prayers. He stressed the significance of attending Mass regularly and going to confession as essential practices that help us reestablish our connection with God. These divine gifts, he emphasized, are crucial for our spiritual growth and well-being.

The Cardinal recognized that in today's fast-paced and chaotic world, it is easy to overlook or neglect these spiritual practices. However, he reminded everyone that now more than ever, we urgently need to reclaim these divine gifts. Through prayer, attending Mass, and seeking forgiveness through confession, we can find solace, guidance, and strength amidst the challenges we face.

He encouraged individuals to make prayer a priority in their lives and to seek solace in the presence of God.

𝟑. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞

The African cardinal cautioned that as we retreat into the desert of our inner lives, we come to realize the undeniable conflict between creation itself and mankind's attempt to restore harmony in ecology and environment, while simultaneously endorsing practices such as euthanasia and homosexuality.

𝟒. 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Cardinal Sarah emphasizes the importance of silence for entering the presence of God in our hearts. In this silence, distractions are minimized, and we can reflect on the teachings of the Gospel. He believes that modern society has engaged in a destructive battle against God and humanity, which he describes as a "satanic war." The cardinal also criticizes the Western world for forgetting God and valuing only temporary pleasures, resulting in a widespread sense of emptiness and loneliness.

𝟓. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞

"The current and daily struggle is in our hearts and it is, as St. Paul says, against the spirits of evil. The demons seek at all costs my ruin and my estrangement from God.. It is imperative today to discipline the mind and heart by fixing our gaze on the Cross.. human being struggles to protect nature, but at the same time destroys man, marriage, life and rejects accepting his own identity as man or woman... God has created us male or female and today we say that each one can choose whether to be male or female.."

The Cardinal asserted that "with transhumanism we want to augment man, to make man a machine, a superman, perhaps deluding ourselves with the idea of becoming immortal, invincible, super intelligent, super powerful, of making man a God".