THE DEVIL AND INTELLECTUAL PRIDE

“Many prophets and kings wished to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” –Luke 10:24

Mass Readings: October 1
First: Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17; Resp: Psalm 119:66,71,75,91,125,130; Gospel: Luke 10:17-24

Because we are Jesus’ followers, “demons are subject to us” (Lk 10:17). We can shoot down Satan to fall from the sky like lightning (Lk 10:18). We can “tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy” (Lk 10:19). We can “quickly crush Satan under” our feet (Rm 16:20).

However, few Christians are aware of their authority over the devil or even of their need for that authority. Our authority, as well as other aspects of God’s plan of salvation, is “hidden from the learned and the clever,” but “revealed to the merest children” (Lk 10:21). Therefore, the learned and the clever sometimes laugh at the supposedly primitive ideas of the common people about the devil. Expect to be scorned if you talk about the devil as if he were real.

The devil is “a liar and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44). He lies about his own existence. He spreads confusion by promoting intellectual pride. This pride is shown in the rejection of traditional Christian teaching and a snobbish attitude toward the way common people think and talk. Nonetheless, what the Church and the Bible have taught for centuries concerning the devil will always be true.

PRAYER: Father, I humbly submit myself to the traditional teaching of the Church.

PROMISE: “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones.” –Jb 42:12

PRAISE: St. Therese was a zealous and dedicated intercessor, and especially devoted herself to pray for priests.