Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The chilling voice of the speaker from in the Book of Wisdom is reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ famous novel, The Screwtape Letters, which presents a series of letters from the seasoned demon “Screwtape” to his inexperienced nephew Wormwood, and offering guidance on how to tempt a human person away from Christianity and towards damnation. It reminds us that we have God’s angels on our side and many graces, but there are also forces in this world who seek about our destruction. Jesus experienced the plotting of the religious authorities and the eventual betrayal from a friend.
If we are experiencing resistance and struggle in pursuing God, that’s a good sign. The evil one is not threatened by the lukewarm or those people drifting further away from their faith. Rather, evil is threatened by those who sincerely seek to serve God and build up His kingdom. We should let our struggles and our discouragement move us to trust in God more completely. St. Paul observed this about the spiritual battle waged around and against us, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). But, no matter what we are experiencing or enduring, St. Paul’s advice is also very important: “Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:11).
The Lord will come to save us. We only need to rely on Him and remain steadfast.
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections