At the first Lent, Jesus routed Satan by overcoming three temptations. In the final three years of His life, Jesus continued His total mastery of the devil. He healed "all who were in the grip of the devil" (Acts 10:38) and destroyed "the devil's works" (1 Jn 3:8). Finally, Jesus totally and definitively conquered the evil one when He hung three hours on the cross, died in perfect love, and rose from the dead on the third day.
When Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert, He won one of His major victories over Satan. As we imitate Jesus' forty-day fast this Lent, we also can claim a major victory over Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. We can break out of sins which have plagued us for years. We can demolish Satan's strongholds, sophistries, and pretenses (2 Cor 10:4-5). In Christ, we can triumph over Satan and his demons, lead them off captive, and make "a public show" of them (Col 2:15).
This Lent we are called to resist the devil, attack the gates of hell (Mt 16:18), and force Satan to flee (Jas 4:7). Repent! Obey! Charge!
| PRAYER: | Father, make this Lent like the first one. |
| PROMISE: | "Just as through one man's disobedience all became sinners, so through one Man's obedience all shall become just." –Rm 5:19 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Who allowed Himself to be tempted by the "Father of Lies" (Jn 8:44) so that all may "come to the know the truth" (1 Tm 2:4). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College