To Attack the Enemies of the Soul

December 14, 2023

Memorial for St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of di Church

Readings for Today
Readings for Thursday of di Second Week of Advent

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“From the days of John the Baptist reach now, the Kingdom of heaven dey face violence, and people wey dey use violence dey take am by force.” Matthew 11:12

You dey among those wey dey use “violence” and dey take the Kingdom of Heaven “by force?” I hope say you dey!

Sometimes, Jesus words dey hard to understand. This passage above na one of those cases. About this passage, Saint Josemaría Escrivá talk say those wey dey use “violence” na Christians wey get “strong mind to stand firm” and “boldness” when the place wey dem dey no welcome the faith (See Christ Dey Pass, 82). Saint Clement of Alexandria talk say the Kingdom of Heaven belong “to those wey dey fight against themselves” (Quis dives salvetur, 21). This one mean say those wey dey use “violence” to take the Kingdom of Heaven na those wey dey fight with all their strength against the enemies of their soul so that dem go gain the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wetin be the enemies of the soul? As Church tradition teach us, we dey talk about the world, the flesh and the devil. These three enemies don cause plenty violence inside the souls of Christians wey dey struggle to live inside God Kingdom. So how we go fight for the Kingdom? Na by force! Some translations talk say na the “attackers” dey take the Kingdom by force. This one mean say Christian life no fit be life where person no dey make any effort at all. We no fit just smile enter Heaven. The enemies of our soul dey real, and dem dey attack with force. So we too must fight with force, as we face these enemies directly with the strong mind and boldness of Christ.

How we go do this one? We dey face the enemy wey be the flesh through fasting and by denying ourself wetin we want. We dey face the world by standing firm for the Truth of Christ, the Truth of the Gospel, and refusing to follow the “wisdom” of this age. And we dey face the devil by knowing about im wicked plans to deceive us, confuse us and lead us astray for everything, so that we go rebuke am and reject wetin e dey do for our life.

Today, reflect on how God dey call you to grow for strong mind and boldness so that you go fit fight those enemies wey dey attack you from inside. Fear no get any use for this battle. Trust for the power and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ na the only weapon we need. Depend on Am, and no give in to the many ways wey these enemies dey try to rob you of the peace of Christ.

My Lord wey get glory and victory, I trust You to pour out Your grace so I fit stand strong against di world, di temptations of my flesh and di devil imself. Give me courage, boldness and strength to stand firm, so I fit fight di good fight of faith and no ever shake as I dey seek You and Your most holy will for my life. Jesus, na You I trust.