The Lord has poured out His love on us this Christmas (Rm 5:5). We are now called to take this love and give it to a hurting, broken world. His love is stronger than death (Sg 8:6, JB), covers a multitude of sins (1 Pt 4:8), and will never fail (1 Cor 13:8). Nothing can separate us from receiving and giving the love of Jesus (Rm 8:38-39). Satan will try to stop us but can't, unless we let him. As Jesus encountered the devil at the beginning of His public ministry, so shall we (Mk 1:25). As Jesus rebuked the evil one, we too can, in Jesus, quickly crush Satan under our feet (Rm 16:20).

Our battle this year, and every year, is not primarily against human beings (even ourselves), but "against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above" (Eph 6:12). Don't give the devil any foothold in 2008. Don't tolerate even his most subtle influences. Don't let him get away with anything. Don't wait for him to provoke you. Charge the gates of hell (Mt 16:18). Despoil and disarm the robber (Lk 11:22). Bring down the strongholds of the evil one, demolish his sophistries and proud pretensions (2 Cor 10:4-5). "Bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007

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