"Make 90 copies of this prayer and distribute 10 each to 9 different churches immediately...you will surely get your wish, guaranteed!"
Or some such drivel.
As usual, I tossed them in the trash. Where such garbage belongs.
I happen to consider Saint Jude a very good friend.
And as such, it pains me to see him used as a baal.
It is a good thing to ask for this good saint's intercession, particularly in situations which seem hopeless.
It is a bad thing to think that he's a magician.
It's a terrible thing to think that one can manipulate what is, after all, God's domain.
If you are facing what appears to be a hopeless or desperate situation, three things:
1) You're not, really. You're just facing a situation that you, personally, can't see how to handle.
2) This is a good reason to ask Saint Jude to intercede on your behalf. Let him do it. Don't muck it up by adding your own brand o' witchcraft to the mix.
3) Remember that you're asking the good saint to pray for you! You're not asking him to wave a magic wand (he doesn't own one) and you're not helping matters by spreading idolatry around.
Okay? Thank you. When I approach Saint Jude, I often ask him to pray for folks who misuse his love this way.
Because sometimes it seems like a hopeless cause.
