The last week of Lent is often an intense time for reflection on purification. Is it the devil who carries out "chastisement," or angels -- or both? What about a word of knowledge recently made available to us that says "he is authorized to act," without saying who and for what, but leaving a sense of foreboding?

At Medjugorje a seer said in the early days that it is the "hour of the power of darkness" and that "Satan has been authorized to act with all his force and power."

Can we take anything from these putative revelations?

In the diary of Saint M. Faustina Kowalska of Poland are visions of angels sent to chastise -- something we don't usually think about, the role of angels -- some any way -- to purify. There are many kinds of angels: guardian, healing, prophetic, warring, and, apparently, chastising ones.

On one occasion, an angel appeared to St. Faustina with a sword drawn and was ready to strike a terrible blow to the earth. On another occasion she saw an angel about to strike with lightning and thunderbolts.

At Fatima, the third secret revealed a vision granted to Sister Lucia dos Santos of "an angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire."

In both cases, the Blessed Mother shielded the world from chastisement. Sister Lucia said the flames "died out in contact with the splendor that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his hand." Sister Faustina said the Lord was set to "inflict terrible punishment on us, but He cannot because the Mother of God is shielding us."

This is a manner of speech (the Lord can do whatever He wants), but the point is the role of angels in purification -- which is seen so vividly in the "bowl judgments" in the Book of Revelation.

The point is also fire: many mystics (including St. Padre Pio) saw a fire coming. Is something imminent in our own time? A recent convert from the dark world of Santeria saw a fire coming from the sky and terror when he went through visions that led to his return to Christianity.

There also is the 1990 prophecy -- which asserted that prayers marshaled by the Blessed Mother had put off major chastisements (but also said that mankind had to go through another test like abortion, and depending on our response, we would see chastisements on a regional scale).

More to the point, an "addendum" to that anonymous prophecy in 2004 included the lines:

"The angels have their instruction from east to west, and now a timetable has been set in motion. When the huge light is seen, I will act in a way I have not acted before."

Does a flaming sword mean actual fire, or it just a representation?

For some, fire and brilliant light may bring to mind a nuclear event or something like a comet, and in this regard is also non-Catholic Christian prophecy from folks like Timothy Snodgrass, a widely known alleged evangelistic "prophet" who reports that:

"On the early morning of February 18 in the Philippines, at exactly 1:11 a.m. (Manila time), I was awakened by a vision, which began with a bright star falling over the nation of Iran. As the star approached a city in the desert, there was suddenly an explosion resembling a super-nova, and every building in the region was flattened as far as I could see. I was then taken in the Spirit to Tel Aviv, and observed trucks filled with soldiers, alarms sounding over the city, confusion; but in the midst of the confusion, I saw Michael standing on the shores of the Mediterranean, with ten thousand angels – not missiles – descending from heaven. 

"After I awoke from the vision at 1:11 a.m., I began to intercede for the nation of Israel and the Lord began to release direction for our next prayer assignment to the Mideast, with the target date March 15 highlighted. I saw much more in the vision than I am allowed to share publicly. I would highly encourage the Body of Christ to intercede for Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama during March and April, whereas every decision they make involving Iran needs to be initiated by Heaven – not by man – because we cannot afford even the smallest miscalculation."

He calls that "a vision of a falling star over Persia." We recall from Daniel the angel who struggled with a demon known as the Prince of Persia.

A Catholic seer in Australia recently relayed this supposed message: "I tell you, I don’t keep silent. I speak out through My prophets and they will tell you My Holy Cross will never be removed. I will make My Holy Cross appear in the sky for all mankind to see and know that I exist. I wish all my faithful children to pray for this intention and defend Me in public from this malicious enemy." This relates back on St. Faustina.

We would disregard much of this (for example, March 15 has come and gone, if he meant an event occurring on that day; these dates!), but at the same time we often recall that Scripture tells us not to despise prophecy, and we have this from the great Church father Tertullian (160-220 AD), who when it comes to gifts of the Holy Spirit said:

"What nobler than to tread underfoot the gods of the nations -- to exorcise evil spirits -- to perform cures -- to seek Divine revealings -- to live to God? These are the pleasures, these the spectacles that befit Christian men -- holy, everlasting, free."

The question of the month: why then is casting out evil spirits such a rarity in our modern Church, and by "revelations," was this major Church father referring to prophecy?

[resources: Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of Sister Faustina and The Final Hour]

[Maryland-D.C.-Virginia retreat, May 8]

[Further note: In Brazil, a seer of recent interest, Pedro Regis, remains focused on the earth -- in particular, quakes. His latest message (3/23) that has been translated: "Dear Sons and Daughters, all that you do in this life for love of God and neighbor will not go unrewarded. Open your hearts to charity in this time of lent. Pray and do penance. Dedicate part of your time to silent prayer, and listen to the voice of The Lord Who is calling you to holiness. Give a good example to all. Show all with your words and deeds that you belong only to Christ. Happen what may, trust in My Son Jesus. He alone is your All, and without Him you can do nothing. Seek strength in the Eucharist and in the words of My Son Jesus. Humanity is heading towards a sorrowful future. The earth will shake and abysses will appear. My poor children will carr y a heavy cross. The earth will lose its equilibrium and frightening phenomena will appear. I suffer because of what awaits you. Be firm in prayer. Only by prayer will you find strength to bear the weight of the trials. Courage. I am your Mom and I love you. This is the message I transmit to you today in the name of The Most Holy Trinity. Thank you for permitting Me to reunite you here once more. I Bless you in the name of The Father, of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. Amen. Be at peace."

As for fire, on March 9 he quoted Mary as saying, "Dear Sons and Daughters, you are heading towards a future of great trials. I suffer because of what is coming to you. From the depths of the earth will come immense rivers of fire. Many regions will be completely devastated and the destruction will cross over many countries. Bend your knees in prayer. This is the only way you will find strength to give testimony to what will come. I am your Mom and I come from heaven to console you and tell you that you are the chosen people of The Lord. Return, for The Lord is still waiting for you."

For your careful discernment]