Don’t Get Caught Off-Guard

Tuesday, 5th September 2023. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Luke 4:31-37

“When people say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

The book of Proverbs teaches us: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior.” (Proverbs 6:10-11). If a little sleep can reduce me to poverty, what would a little relaxation of my spiritual practices do?

If we work daily to put food on our tables, we must likewise pray hard and obey God to keep our spirituality afloat. Do not form the habit of skipping praying only to say: “God understands.” Think of how often you went to work when you didn’t feel like leaving your bedroom. Why do you wait to feel like praying before you do? The reason you seem not to have time to pray is because it is not important to you.

The best time to pray is when you don’t feel like praying. In that way, prayer becomes an act of training in self-discipline. It tames the beast within you. If you can afford to pray when you don’t feel like praying, you can say “No” to temptation when your body craves it.

Satan hates it when he sees us praying. This is why he has filled our world with everything capable of distracting us from prayer. A typical example is our smartphones. Surprisingly, not even the Church, the house of God, is left out. Jesus went to the city of Capernaum. In the synagogue, there was a man with an unclean demon! Did this man go there in search of deliverance? Or was he there to distract others? Have you ever felt so distracted while inside the church before?

We will be playing the ostrich if we deny the presence of demons in our churches. As Pope Francis said, the church is like a hospital. Be careful. Don’t get caught off-guard. St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13-18 “Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit.”

Remember, a little sleep can cause poverty. A little relaxation in our spiritual life can give room for the devil and his agents who seek candidates for spiritual destruction. St. Peter would say: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Do you know that pornography is not harmless entertainment? Every time you feast on it, you are not only corrupting your mind, but you are also giving room for the demonic manipulation of your heart. Many of these actors and producers have dedicated themselves to worshipping the devil. This is why the more you consume pornography, the less you feel like praying. Start praying the rosary when you feel the urge to tap on that site or open that video file. You would be fighting a fierce spiritual battle.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, renew my spirit within me. Bring back that fire in me to be closer to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Luke 4:31-37).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu