Why I Created the United States Grace Force Challenge Coin
This goes to the heart of “Why we are losing in this battle of spiritual warfare in our times, and how do we stem the tide and begin to reclaim surrendered ground.”
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem …
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” -Luke 19:41-45
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace …” What does make for peace? Notice Jesus goes on to point to the impending destruction of Jerusalem. In essence, Jesus was noting that Jerusalem was “vulnerable to attack”… they had become weak, and their enemies were ready to take advantage of this opportunity. Of course, Jesus was not referring to their cache of spears, swords and arrows … but their “spiritual weakness.”
We know that rarely, if ever, will evil seek compromise or sit down for negotiations, as it is, literally, “hell bent” on conquering new territory; seizing control. So, evil looks for “weaknesses” … “breaches in the wall.” Jerusalem had become spiritually weak and, therefore, vulnerable to attack. Jesus wept because they did not understand that, as Ronald Reagan once said, “We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.”
Make no mistake about it, Jesus weeps over our own spiritual weakness in our times. Why? Because He knows we have made ourselves vulnerable to attack. Countries around the world (British Isles, Ireland, etc.), including the USA, are awakening to this understanding … the more spiritually weak we have become, the easier it is for a radical secular force of evil to move in and seize control. We must become strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! (Eph 6:10).
This is why the motto of the United States Grace Force is “Per Virtutem Pax” (Peace Through Strength). We have actually produced an amazing Challenge Coin that captures the essence of the United States Grace Force.
Find out more about the United States Grace Force HERE.
US Grace Force Challenge Coin
Challenge Coins date back to WWI (some say as far back as the Roman Empire) and were usually given to soldiers by a commanding officer, and were meant to be a sign of camaraderie in facing the demands of some particular challenge. In most cases, it would be military units during a wartime period. We are in Spiritual Warfare!
“The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” -Psalm 29:11. And, as I said, President Ronald Reagan once said, “We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.” The “Peace Through Strength Challenge” is about our resolve to become strong in God’s supernatural power; the only power capable of defeating the satanic forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-12). Carry this coin as a constant reminder of your resolve to accept the call to become supernaturally strong, as you say, “I’M GOING IN!”
On the front of the coin, the image of Our Lady comes from a famous sculpture entitled, “Regina Pacis” (Queen of Peace) found at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. The sculpture was commissioned in 1918 by Pope Benedict XV during WWI. The titles for Mary, inscribed on the Challenge Coin, are both Regina Pacis (Queen of Peace) and Virgo Potens (Virgin Most Powerful). Fr. Chad Ripperger has asked all of us to call out to Mary under this title of Virgo Potens, as we face this fierce spiritual battle in our times. Together, the two titles for Mary point to “Peace Through Strength” which is inscribed in Latin on the Challenge Coin: “Per Virtutem Pax” (Peace Through Strength).
On the reverse side of the coin is the image of St. Michael the Archangel. The image comes from a very famous 6th century painting of St. Michael, which hangs in Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome. In this spiritual battle, we call out to St. Michael the Archangel. The inscription, “defénde nos in proélio,” which is Latin for “Defend us in battle,” comes from the St. Michael Prayer which is prayed after all Low Masses in the Extraordinary Form.
On the side of the coin, at twelve o’clock, is the first word the priest prays as he approaches the altar to offer the Traditional Latin Mass: “Introibo,” which translates to “I will go in.” At six o’clock, on the side of the Challenge Coin, are the words, “I’m Going In,” which is the battle cry of every warrior who accepts the challenge of putting their very life on the line in battle.
You can find US Grace Force Challenge Coins at RomanCatholicGear.com
Join the United States Grace Force FB group HERE
I’m Going In!
ENLIST IN THE UNITED STATES GRACE FORCE
(Please recruit family and friends to enlist!)
