Thought for the Day – 9 May – Concerning the Manner of Perseverance in the Spiritual Combat until Death

Thought for the Day – 9 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXI: … Concerning the Manner of Perseverance
in the Spiritual Combat until Death

“One of the requisites in the Spiritual Combat is perseverance in the continual mortification of our unruly passions – for, in this life, they are never utterly subdued but take root in the human heart like weeds in fertile soil.
This is a battle from which we cannot escape – ours is a foe, we cannot evade.
The fight against passion will last a lifetime and he, who lays down his arms, will be slain.
Moreover, we must combat enemies, who hate us, with unquenchable fury and, are consecrated to our destruction.
The more we would make friends of them, the more they would make
derelicts of us!
But be not daunted by their strength or number, for in this war, he alone is conquered, who voluntarily surrenders and the entire power of our enemies is in the hands of that Captain under Whose banner we fight.
And not only will He preserve us from treachery but, He will be our Champion.
He, Who is infinitely superior to all the foe, will crown you with conquest provided you, as a warrior, rely not on your own finite powers but on His Almighty Power and Infinite Goodness.

If, however, He seems slow in coming to your aid and apparently leaves you in the withering fire of the enemy, be not discouraged, rather fight resolutely in the firm belief that He will convert all things which befall you, to your eventual benefit and, even the unexpected crown of victory will be yours.

For your part, never desert your Commanding Officer, Who, for your sake, did not shrink from death itself and, in dying on Calvary’s hill, conquered the entire world.
Fight courageously under His colours and do not lay down your arms, while there is one foe left.
For, if a single vice is neglected, it will be a beam in your eye and a thorn in your side, constantly hindering you from triumph in your glorious and victorious cause.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli