Sunday, February 18 : Saint Gregory Nazianzen

If, after baptism, you are attacked by the persecutor, tempter of the light, you will have substance for victory. It is certain he will attack you since he even set himself against the Word of my God, deceived by the human appearance that concealed from him his uncreated light. Don’t be daunted by the combat. Oppose him with the water of baptism, oppose him with the Holy Spirit in whom all the fiery darts thrown by the Wicked One are quenched… If he uncovers the neediness that overwhelms you – and he did not fail to do so to Jesus -, if he brings to mind the fact that you are hungry, don’t pretend you are unaware of his suggestions. Teach him what he does not know; set the Word of life against him, the true Bread from heaven which gives life to the world. If he sets before you the stumbling block of vanity – he used it against Christ when he caused him to go up to the parapet of the Temple and said: “Throw yourself down” so as to make him manifest his divinity – take care you don’t fall because you wished to raise yourself up… If he tempts you with ambition by showing you in an instant all the kingdoms of the earth under his power and if he demands your worship, despise him: he’s nothing but a false brother. Confident in the divine seal, say to him: “I, too, am in God’s image; unlike you, I have not yet been thrown down from the height of my glory because of my pride! I am clothed with Christ; through my baptism I have become another Christ; it’s for you to worship me!” I am certain he will depart, overcome and shamed by these words. Coming from someone who is enlightened by Christ, they will be felt by him as though they came from Christ himself, the supreme light. These are the advantages conveyed by the water of baptism to those who acknowledge its power.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team