1 Cor. 2:10-16, Ps. 145:8-14, Luke 4:31-37
“And in the synagogue, there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Luke 4:33-34)
We Christians today must realize that we have an enemy that is, by all means, angry with us. Can you try to picture the annoyance of the man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue? “What have you to do with us?” meaning: “Why did you come here? What is your business with this place? Why not allow us to do our thing while you stay on your side?” Take it from me, Satan is not smiling at all oh!
It was the time of year when kings go to battle and David was not in battle but in his house relaxing. David sought pleasure. When he discovered he had just fathered a child, he used the enormous power he had to eliminate Uriah. When we forget that we are supposed to be in battle, we begin to place so much importance on pleasure and power only to end up falling flat like David. If you underestimate the anger of the devil, you might end up asking him out for lunch only for you to become meat on the devil’s plate.
As we struggle to make progress in our spiritual lives every day, let us realize that every step we make in the right direction pisses off the devil more and more. This is a truth clearly hidden from the worldly-minded; a truth which St. Paul says in our first reading, always sounds like mere gibberish to the unspiritual man.
As Bishop Barron would say, “now is the time of battle” not the time to be strolling about in our palaces, not the time to be looking at people taking their baths (online pornography, illicit movies, music, sensual entertainment, etc.) Now, is the time for us to wake up to the fact that Satan can possess even those who come to church and appear as most holy. Now is not the time to become scared but to get dressed in our armor and face Satan squarely standing upon the victory of our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, open my eyes to see the battle in front of me. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: 1 Cor. 2:10-16, Ps. 145:8-14, Luke 4:31-37).
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu