6:30 AM
St Augustine Monastery, Nova Scotia, Canada
MT 13:36-43
Luke 8:30
SOMETIME AFTER we reach the Use of Reason....we begin to learn that our Lives are a continuous struggle to be GOOD. This is what we heard many times from our Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Teachers...& even Friends. The struggle to be Good is a daily effort we all must make...to remain in the Grace of God. AND this struggle is not always easy!
There are THREE SOURCES which effect our Daily effort to grow in Virtue...& to keep close to God. Spiritual writers point out that we are Tempted to Evil (Sin) by the WORLD, the FLESH & the DEVIL. LET’S CONSIDER EACH ONE.
OUR LORD HIMSELF said that...”we must be IN the world...but NOT OF the World.” St. Augustine.....(+430 AD) writes about the City of the World...& its clash with the City of God. They can be compared to WATER & OIL. The Two really don’t MIX.....no matter how much we want to or try. The WAYS of the World...its Thinking, Pursuits, Desires, Material Concerns...All Exclude or Reject God...& God’s Ways.
BEING CREATURES Of FLESH & BLOOD...with Fallen Human Nature due to the Original Sin of Adam & Eve....we are prone to be Tempted to Evil (Sin) when presented to us. Our Wills need to be strengthened by God’s Grace. IF WE SAY YES to God & Virtue...& say NO to the Temptation,...we can OVERCOME. We can WIN! If we run the OTHER WAY......WE FAIL & WE FALL!
THE DEVIL & HIS EVIL SPIRITS can also Torment & Tempt us. Jesus asked the Evil Spirit LK 8:30...”What is your Name?” The Spirits replied “My Name is Legion because many Devils had entered into him.” HOWEVER, THE DEVIL or SATAN & FALLEN ANGELS are very REAL..& they DO EXIST We need to be Aware of this...& NOT Frightened.....for Our Lord will always protect us if we only fly to Him for Refuge, Strength, Guidance & Grace.
OUR MODERN WORLD tries to be so sophisticated...& tries to make the Devil into a Fantasy of our Imagination...& makes fun of Church Teachings.....& even of simple Faith. The Old Testament Book of Daniel (DAN 12:3)..tells us...”the Learned & the Righteous shall shine like the stars for all Eternity.” Our Lord is VERY VIVID in describing the Pains & Sufferings & Eternity of Hell...which you will NOT find in modern Catechisms...& Religion Study Textbooks...for BOTH Child & Adults ALL SHOULD KNOW ALL the Truths of the Gospel...Joys & Sorrows, YES....but also WARNINGS from the Lips of Christ Himself.
MT 13: 36-43...The Disciples asked Him...”Explain to us the Parable of the Weeds. The Lord replied “The Harvest is the End of the World, & the Reapers are the Angels. Just as the Weeds are gathered up & burned with fire...so it will be at the end of the World.
THE SON OF MAN WILL SEND FORTH HIS ANGELS....& THEY WILL GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM SCANDALS & THOSE WHO WORK INIQUITY & CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE..
WHERE THERE WILL BE WEEPING & GNASHING OF TEETH. THEN THE JUST WILL SHINE LIKE THE SUN IN THE KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR!”