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TODAY’S WORD…

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Be alert and of sober mind.

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.

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– 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

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REFLECTION…

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The devil exists.

Scripture speaks of him from the first to the last of the revealed books,

from Genesis to Revelations.

In many passages of the Gospel, Our Lord warns us against the devil,

He also shows Himself overcoming the devil,

freeing many people from his diabolical possession..

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The devil never seems to give up on us.

He is constantly prowling around us,

checking out for potential weaknesses

and trying to select the opportune moment

to deviously get us to lose our guard.

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He even acted that way with Jesus, in the desert.

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain

and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.

‘All this I will give you,’ he said…

Then , Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan!’ (Matt 4:8-10)

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So many times the devil lays the bait to catch us.

So many times he tempts us

and tries to persuade us that there’s nothing really wrong with what he is suggesting;

That we deserve to be happy in this one life of ours;

that so many others are doing the same and are more than satisfied;

that not to do what he suggests is a useless and undeserving self-punishment.

He even goes as far as to try to convince us

that God Himself will be understanding and accept our decision.

Sadly, so many take the bait and fall into his trap!

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The devil is a personal, real and individual being,

of a spiritual and indivisible nature,

who separated himself from God forever through his selfishness and pride,

and he wants us to do the same.

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The devil, whose sole purpose in the world is our perdition, is a liar.

He is the father of lies,

and of sin, discord, affliction, hatred,

and of all that is inappropriate and evil on earth.

Every day he will try to achieve that purpose through all the means at his disposal.

He is the only being we are to fear if we are not close to God.

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But God has given us His Beloved Son,

who became one like us in all things but sin.

He freed us from the power of Satan

and as a result of Christ’s redeeming work,

the devil can only cause harm to those who freely allow him to;

to those who disregard Christ’s warnings and teachings,

and consent to the devil’s promptings

thereby separating themselves from God.

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When you embrace the True Faith with all your mind, heart, soul and strength,

and when you place your full trust in Jesus,

He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out

so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)

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QUOTE…

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“If you call upon your Guardian Angel at the moment of trial,

he will protect you from the devil

and will bring you holy inspirations.”

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– St. Josemaria Escriva

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, my Saviour, I trust in You.

Lord, protect me from all evil and guard my soul.

… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.