Spiritual battle is something that is real and cannot be forgotten. Cartoons have used this imagery of spiritual battle through the use of a demon on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The demon moving an individual to enter into sin and the angel fighting to keep one from falling into its grasp.
It was once accounted that a man was given the ability to see demons for one day. He observed that those at the bar had grown tired and fat while those found at the monastery were active and full of energy. This is a glimpse into the reality of spiritual warfare. The closer that we get to God, such as those in a monastery, the harder the devil must work to get us to turn away from the Lord.
In the midst of this spiritual battle we cannot forget the assistance of the angels. On October 2nd the Church came to celebrate the Memorial of the Guardian Angels. In our modern world we forget not only about demons, but also about the angels. Each of us have been entrusted with a guardian angel. It is the role of the guardian angels to lead us to the kingdom of Heaven. It is this kingdom that we must set before our sight and strive with God’s help to enter.
The angels are not just some fairytale, but their important role has been sprinkled throughout Sacred Scripture. As is shown at the Annunciation through Saint Gabriel’s message to Mary of the Incarnation. At the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we profess their presence among us as these Sacred Mysteries unfold. We cannot forget about the importance of the angels in our daily life for to do so would put us at a great disadvantage in the spiritual battle that has been set before us. As we were instructed in our Epistle concerning this spiritual battle, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.”
We should take this spiritual battle seriously, but we should realize that God has already won. The devil holds no power over God. As we are told in the Book of Revelation, “Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battle against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.”
Not only should we foster devotion to the angels, but also follow Saint Paul’s advice to this spiritual battle by taking on “the armor of God.” It is this armor which assists in battle as it would assist a solider in battle. This armor should take us back to the Book of Isaiah which tells us of six pieces of armor. (1) Gird your loins with the truth, (2) Put on the breastplate of righteousness, (3) Shod your feet in the Gospel of peace, (4) Take the shield of faith, (5) Take the helmet of salvation, and (6) Take the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).
Let us stand firm in this spiritual battle and entrust ourself to the fullness of faith that we profess and may all the angels and saints come to our aid that we may faithfully run this race which leads towards Everlasting Life.
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