Satan, while hidden, remains active in us and in society
By Bishop Robert Vasa
[]It is certainly important that we not become excessively consumed or obsessed by the presence and activity of the evil one but it is also most important that we not be oblivious to his presence or activity, for it is real. All one needs to do is look at the state of moral confusion which reigns in our present society. The killing of the sick or elderly because they want it is being promoted as some kind of right or good but this can be so only in the topsy-turvy world of Screwtape and Wormwood. When taking the life of an innocent pre-born child is seen as right and a right and when the preservation of precisely that right becomes the object of a political campaign, I suspect the letter from Screwtape to the demon master of that campaign would be filled with praise. When a whole society begins to question whether marriage really requires one man and one woman, faithfully committed to each other in an exclusive and child-centered relationship, Satan must be very pleased indeed. Screwtape’s letters to the untiring tempters who pulled off that coup would have to be filled with devilish pride. For that kind of confusion and moral inversion to have made this kind of progress in our society, it was and is necessary for Satan to have been very active and at the same time to remain very hidden. When he is so subtly hidden, there is no limit to the wickedness and snares of the devil.
When we look at our society and see the depths of depravity to which it has already sunk we must, like in the parable of the wheat and the tares, come to the unmistakable conclusion that “an enemy has done this.”
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Our weapons are not those of strength, but of light. Gideon had to reduce his army from 10,000 to 300, so that it would be evident that victory was from God, not man. Why 300? St. Augustine points out that the number 300 is the Greek letter τ, in other words, victory is in the cross of Christ. Light in earthen vessels; what are we, but dust, to which we shall return? The dust of the earth, which carries the light? Is that light hidden, or does it shine? and why should not the Lord subject us to trial, in order that the light will be seen by others?
From the diocese of Baker, Pastoral Guidelines, a document which is good to read now and again, these sections in particular:
Pg 148: GIVING TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH
Pg 156: AFFIRMATION OF PERSONAL FAITH
Pg 157: APPENDIX-ENTRUSTED WITH SACRED DUTIES
JUDGMENTALISM
46. As I mentioned above still others have expressed concern that my insistence upon an affirmation of faith is a form of ‘judgmentalism’. Some have indicated to me that the task I have undertaken of trying to "oversee" ministry, liturgy and ministers of the Diocese is not "my job". This perspective is most interesting particularly since the very title Bishop means precisely that, "overseer". [...]
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