Lent is a period of 40 days traditionally marked by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and to prepare ourselves spiritually for the celebration of His resurrection. 

However, Lent is also a time of spiritual battle. During Lent, Christians are called to fight against the forces of darkness. Yes, in the shadows of darkness, a powerful force is at work – we have a spiritual adversary who seeks to prevent us from doing God’s will. This adversary is Satan himself, who seeks to separate us from God and lead us away from a life of faith, love, and prayer. Jesus himself had to fight against the devil in the desert and before his passion.

But why does Satan want to do this? What is his ultimate goal? Satan knows the power of the Gospel and sees it as a threat to his control over the world. He fears that if Christianity spreads, it will challenge his domination over humanity and diminish his power. To prevent this, he uses various tactics, such as tempting us to stray from our faith, creating hate among Christians, distracting us from our mission to make disciples, and trying to isolate us from those who do not have faith.

Satan will also do everything he can to keep us away from a life of prayer. This is because prayer is a powerful weapon against him. Prayer can limit his activities and pave the way for conversions. It is a powerful tool for resisting the influences of evil and strengthening our relationship with God. Through prayer, we receive direction and wisdom from the Spirit and find ways to better accomplish God’s will.

Satan also recognizes the transformative power of love and the impact it can have on those who do not have faith. He knows that when Christians show love to those who do not follow Christ, it can create opportunities to share the Gospel and influence others to become Christians. To prevent us from demonstrating love towards those who do not have faith, he may plant seeds of fear, mistrust, or judgment in their hearts, or tempt them to focus on their own needs and desires instead of reaching out to others.

Satan, the relentless adversary of God and humanity, will do everything in his power to stop us from spreading the Good News. However, we are called to be bold in our faith, to forgive others and to share the Gospel, no matter what obstacles we may encounter. The Holy Spirit that accompanies those who proclaim God’s word cannot be contained by any power. Despite all of Satan’s efforts, faithful Christians rooted in Christ will continue to believe, pray, and show love towards everyone, especially by sharing their faith and hope with those who do not know Jesus, the way to salvation and Life.

Actionable suggestions:

1. During Lent, make an effort to fast, pray, and give alms. Use this time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and prepare yourself spiritually for Easter.
2. Be aware of the spiritual battle that takes place during Lent and throughout your life. Understand that Satan seeks to separate you from God and lead you away from a life of faith, love, and prayer.
3. Recognize the power of prayer as a tool to resist the influences of evil and strengthen your relationship with God. Pray daily for guidance, direction, and wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
4. Recognize the transformative power of love and show it to those around you, especially those who do not follow Christ. Remember that showing love can create opportunities to share the Gospel and influence others to become disciples of Jesus.
5. Be bold in your faith and share the Good News with your surroundings, no matter what obstacles you may encounter. Remember that the Holy Spirit accompanies those who proclaim God’s word.

Pierre-Alain Giffard
Director of Pastoral Work

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