Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me remain alert and self-disciplined to resist evil.

 
Acts 8:1-8 & 1 Peter 5:5-14

 
Simon Peter ‘the Rock’ of the early Church, Stephen the first Christian martyr and Philip Jesus’ disciple who was the first Apostle to Samaria, along with all the other Apostles had this in common: They needed a lot of fortitude to be able to proclaim what they had seen – the resurrected Christ Jesus, the Good News of God’s salvation of humankind. It was their Risen Lord who gave them that courage, perseverance and faithfulness.  It was He who taught them about the gift of the Holy Spirit when he visited them before he ascended into heaven, and who then anointed them with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, fifty days after the Resurrection. But it was only with continuing alertness and self-discipline that Peter, Stephen, and Philip could live into the presence of the Holy Spirit of God, live through the challenges of their various ministries and do the works that they accomplished with their lives. It is the same for us today. It is only with alertness and self-discipline that you and I are able to lead lives that proclaim the Good News of God’s redemption of our humanity. Living life in the Spirit, we need to always be aware of not only the Holy Spirit’s movements in and through us, but also of our “adversary, the devil who prowls around looking for someone to devour” as St. Peter call it. Additionally, we need to discipline ourselves to be obedient to the will of God, which is love in truth and truth in love. Will I remain alert and self-disciplined like the early disciples of Jesus to resist evil and stay steadfast in faith, no matter what sufferings come and go through my life? Holy Spirit of Jesus, help me remain alert and self-disciplined to resist evil.    
 
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me, I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.   (Psalm 16:7-8) 
 
Let God’s people then recognize that they are a new creation in Christ, and with all vigilance understand by whom they have been adopted and whom they have adopted. 
St. Leo the Great.   
Acedia, or spiritual despondency, otherwise known as the deadly sin of Sloth, is a vice that opposes alertness and self-discipline. For an in depth disclosure of Acedia, see Abbot Jean-Charles Nault’s book,  The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times.A Happy and a Blessed Easter Season to you and your family! 
Much Grace, Peace and Joy be with you!
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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