Today's Gospel reading from Mark 10 is one that is very close to my heart. A blind man (Bartimaeus) keeps crying to Jesus, "Son of David, have pity on me." I once had a near death experience, and this was the phrase I kept repeating. In fact, I still repeat it many times every time I'm on my way up to receive Holy Communion.
In our first reading from 1 Peter 2, St. Peter counsels, "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul."
This idea of waging war - spiritual warfare - is one that comes up again and again in the Sacred Scriptures. Because whether you want to acknowledge it or not, we are constantly engaging in spiritual warfare. It's been said that the devil's greatest trick is to make people think he doesn't exist. To that I would add convincing people that spiritual warfare is not really a thing. I assure you it is. Be prepared to go into battle daily. And fight like your life depends on it. Because it does.
Father, give us the grace each day to "keep away from the worldly desires that wage war against the soul." Help us to remember to lean on your strength, through your Son Christ Jesus. Amen.
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