Elija Mission

Consequences of self-deception in recognizing and defending the truth.

As we have reflected on in the last three meditations, self-deception can negatively impact spiritual discernment. Even in the natural realm, we observe that when people overestimate their abilities, overlook their weaknesses, and refuse to accept limitations, their ability to judge correctly becomes clouded or disappears entirely. They are blinded by a false image of themselves.

Just as they struggle to see themselves as they truly are, they also struggle to view others and the events and circumstances that arise with a sober and clear perspective.

Remember that we are called to examine ourselves and everything around us in light of God and act accordingly. This also applies to the events taking place in the world. Next, I would like to point out two examples of practices that have become commonplace in the world—and are even encouraged—but which cannot stand before God. The tragedy is that much of the ecclesiastical hierarchy no longer provides the faithful with the support they need to navigate the confusion they encounter in the world; rather, in some cases, it even contributes to that confusion.

In Reflexion

GREAT DECEPTIONS: “Self-Deception (III)”

Elija6th July 20264th July 2026

With regard to self-deception, we have pointed out that this is indeed a dangerous state that can also make one susceptible to the deceptions that occur in the world and in the Church. Before I go into more detail on this tomorrow, I would first like to explain what other circumstances can lead to self-deception.

It is important to consider that some blindness regarding self-knowledge is also partly caused by emotional wounds. For example, if someone was disproportionately harshly reprimanded by his father for every mistake or excessively physically disciplined during his upbringing, he will find it more difficult to recognize God as a loving Father to whom he can open himself unreservedly to confess his faults and sins. In this case, a path of inner healing is necessary because unprocessed wounds can trigger subconscious resistance to God as a benevolent Father. Experiences that have not yet been sufficiently overcome hinder this essential recognition of God.

In Reflexion

GREAT DECEPTIONS: “Self-Deception (II)”

Elija5th July 20263rd July 2026

Starting yesterday, we have been reflecting on an important topic for our spiritual life—one that will help us fully awaken to the truth, so that our following of Christ may be free from illusions and our witness may shine more brightly in the world. It is crucial not only to put these teachings into practice to shield ourselves from self‑deception, but also to identify and overcome all kinds of deception more easily.

The psalmist exclaims: “But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12) In several New Testament passages, Jesus points out the blindness of the Pharisees and scribes (cf. Mt 23:13). God knows the human heart, and nothing is hidden from Him.

In Reflexion

GREAT DECEPTIONS: “Self-Deception (I)”

Elija4th July 20263rd July 2026

As I have done in recent years, I will occasionally use the daily meditations to explore important topics for our spiritual journey. In this case, we will begin a series on the topic of self-deception, though I will expand on it later, since we are currently facing so many deceptions in the world—and, unfortunately, also within the Church—that we cannot ignore them.

To address the topic of self-deception, I will draw on some passages written by Father Paulus Sladek, OSA. After true knowledge of God, self-knowledge is an indispensable pillar on the path of following Christ. Father Sladek’s texts highlight important aspects that can help us personally and help others who are living in self-deception or are blinded by it, at least in part. In any case, we must be clear that this is no easy task, as many obstacles seek to prevent us from awakening from self-deception.

In Biblical Meditations

THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: “The Magnificat” (II)

Elija3rd July 20261st July 2026

Luke 1:46–55

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm,
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
he has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his posterity for ever.” Read More

In Biblical Meditations

THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: “A Glimpse of Saint Elizabeth! (Part 1)”

Elija2nd July 202630th June 2026

NOTE: According to the traditional liturgical calendar, today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will therefore hear the Gospel account of her wonderful encounter with Saint Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-47

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechari′ah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

In Biblical Meditations

SOLEMNITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LORD: “Purified by His Blood”

Elija1st July 202630th June 2026

NOTE: According to the traditional liturgical calendar, today the Solemnity of the Most Precious Blood is celebrated. We will therefore hear the Gospel reading designated for this day.

Jn 19:30-35

When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished”; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth—that you also may believe.

In Biblical Meditations

Faith can calm storms

Elija30th June 202630th June 2026

Mt 8:23-27

Then he got into the boat followed by his disciples. Suddenly a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But he was asleep. So they went to him and woke him saying, ‘Save us, Lord, we are lost!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith?’ And then he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. They were astounded and said, ‘Whatever kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’

“Whatever kind of man is this?” In the light of faith, it is easy for us to answer this question, “This man is the Son of God, therefore He has authority over everything created, even over the winds and the sea.”

In Biblical Meditations

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul: Completing the Race

Elija29th June 202626th June 2026

2 Tim 4:6-8.17-18

‘As for me, my life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to depart. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord, the upright judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his appearing. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed for all the gentiles to hear; and so I was saved from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’

In Biblical Meditations

Dying to sin

Elija28th June 202624th June 2026

Rom 6:3-11

You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glorious power, we too should begin living a new life. If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his; realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin. Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin. But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. For by dying, he is dead to sin once and for all, and now the life that he lives is life with God. In the same way, you must see yourselves as being dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus. Read More