February 18, 2023, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries)

As Christians, we are surrounded by the enemies of the faith, some of them unknowingly and others knowingly.

Jesus’ words to his disciples were revealing: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep among wolves.” (Mt. 10:16).

St. John Chrysostom, the fourth-century father of the Church, reflected upon it: “As long as we are lambs, we will conquer, and even if we are surrounded by many wolves, we will overcome them.”

However, we have our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who recognizes his lambs and protects them from the wolves.

Our temptation could be to fall into worldliness to become relevant and please the rulers of our secular society.

As Pope Francis said Wednesday, “Christians are called to bring the Gospel into the world without becoming worldly.”

“For the Church, falling into worldliness is the worst thing that can happen,” the Pope said.