2nd Sunday after Easter 26.4.20 Adversaries
There is an adversarial element to our faith. We are opposed
to something, and something to us.
Who or what is the adversary? He might be like a wolf, or a
snake, or a roaring lion but it is the same Evil One who seeks to destroy us.
From such cunning and ferocious malice we are protected. We
need protection more than real sheep need it from their enemies.
That protection comes from the Good Shepherd. Our Lord
Himself.
The fact that we have an enemy trying to destroy us would be
missed by many in today’s Church, where there is a determination to see only
the positive side of things. We ascribe only good motives to what others do; we
refuse to condemn anyone or anything. We are ‘inclusive’ and ‘non-judgmental’.
In this approach we do not need protecting, as there is nothing
worse to encounter than human frailty.
Unfortunately, this approach does not match reality. Evil
does still exist, with the Devil himself and all his followers, spiritual and
human.
We need protecting from that evil – the wisdom to distinguish
good from evil; the strength of will to follow always the good.
We are positive when we can be. Indeed we seek to include
others, to be reconciled with them, as long as we are first in union with
Christ.
Human unity is greatly to be desired, but it can be achieved
only if we each have unity with Christ. (One could be united in evildoing, for
instance.)
We must not forget the most important person around, which
is God.
There is a battle raging around us – light versus dark, good
versus evil; Christ versus Satan.
The modern mind seeks always to balance out the two views.
Maybe we can have a little of both – good and evil! Not to be too extreme, you
know.
There is no middle ground here: we are either for Christ or
against Him (Lk 11,23).
We cannot just average out good and evil; we must choose
which side we are on.
We learn to see through falsehood even when it presents
itself as something good. For example when people advocate for abortion,
euthanasia, same-sex marriage etc.
We gather close to the Good Shepherd. This means, in
practice, that we believe Him, we obey Him,
we trust Him.
Christians must be as wise as serpents (Mt 10,16) without actually
being serpents. We believe in the good; but we also recognize evil.
Safety is much emphasized at present with the Corona virus.
This is physical safety only.
Who is worried about safety of the soul? Sadly, many
Christians think that is no longer an issue.
We need to sharpen our awareness of crucial distinctions. We
call a spade a spade, and continue to do that.
Even if everyone around seems to be losing their grip, we
hold on tight (to the Good Shepherd)
Faithful Christians today are likely to experience isolation
from others around them – family, friends, work colleagues. You might be the
only person in your family, circle of friends, workplace who thinks as you do.
If you are holding to the Catholic faith do not give way, do
not despair.
Your endurance will gain you your lives (Lk 21,19).
God does not change, nor His holy will for us. He keeps a
steady course, and so do we.
We choose the right side, and push that as far as it needs
to go.
We will not be too harsh with others - which is the great
fear - because we will be Christ-like, and give others every possible chance to
join the right side.
And if we here now can be strong it will bring others in.
At the very least let us be aware of what is going on. And
of the adversity we face.
Like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5,8). No dialogue there!
But He that is in us is stronger than he that is in the
world (1 Jn 4,4).
Our side is winning; His will be done.
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