Church of ST JOSEPH Plentong

https://www.catholic.sg/
28-january-2019-monday-
3rd-week-ordinary-time/

*St Paul in writing to the Ephesians said, “our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  (Eph 6:12)  Indeed, many of us do not recognize this fact and we think that the evils in the world are caused solely by man alone.  All the wickedness, crimes, injustices and immorality in this world are often attributed to the selfishness and greed of man.  This is only the partial truth.  However, the real battle, as St Paul says, is against the power of darkness.*

*Truly, the ministry of Jesus and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God cannot be understood except in the background of the Kingdom of Satan.  Exorcism and spiritual warfare against the Evil One is one of the most important tasks in the mission of our Lord.  In the gospel we always find Jesus battling against Satan.  What makes this spiritual warfare against the Devil more difficult is the fact that the Evil One works in, through and with man to wreak evil in the world.  We are unwittingly minions at the service of the kingdom of darkness. If we are not alert, we too will be made use of by the Devil to do his work of destroying peace and love.*

*To win this battle, we must, as Jesus advised us, bring a strong man to fight with us against the Evil One.  The devil as spirit is more powerful than us.  We cannot do it alone using our own strength because we cannot match his power. That is why we need to bring in the strong man, Jesus Himself.  Only He alone can win victory for us over the Evil One and his angels. St Paul himself exhorted us, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”  (Eph 6:13)*

*This armour entails the Word of God, the Sacraments, unceasing prayer, a life of faith, righteousness and witnessing.  “Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”  (Eph 6:14-18)  Only with this armour can we protect ourselves from the temptations of the Evil One. Indeed, the battle against the evil spirits is won only with Jesus’ victory over sin and death.*

*Secondly, victory is won by the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Thirdly, we read that Jesus as our High Priest is always interceding for us in the presence of God, unlike the priests of the old covenant. Finally, if we are to win this spiritual warfare, we must support each other in prayer and in fellowship. This is what the devil desires for us because his strategy and that of the world is divide and conquer. Many church organizations want to work in silo rather than synergizing together.  Many Catholics who walk alone in their faith are certainly putting their faith at risk because they are alone in their faith.  Without someone to encourage them, to edify and inspire them, they will lose faith in God during times of stress and challenges.   Let us, therefore, support each other in faith and in our apostolic activities because we have a common vision to build God’s kingdom.*

A Blessed, Joyful and Peaceful Monday morning to all of you.