THE VICTORY OVER EVIL

Meditation for Wednesday of the second Week of Lent

(Jer 18:18-20; Mt 20:17-28)

The real battle of life is between good and evil. Evil jealously plots against the light of the good, hoping to cast its darkness over the illumination from this bright light. In the sight of evil, good stands as the victim and the condemned. Just as darkness is defined as the absence of light, so does evil gain relevance by raising its jealous head against good. That means without the good, evil heads to self-destruction. That is why when evil men gather against the righteous, they appear to be succeeding. But when the good man is no more within their reach, they turn against each other.

The prophet Jeremiah was under attack from the evil men, who plotted against him, saying, “Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not heed any of his words.” Jeremiah cried to God, asking the same question that we often come out our mouth in the face of evil: “Give heed to me, O Lord, and listen to my plea. Is evil a recompense for good?” Like the prophet, we sometimes find ourselves helpless in the face of evil. But thanks be to Jesus Christ, who silenced the empty noise of evil by conquering the suffering it imposes on the righteous ones.

 

So, the battle between good and evil has been won in Jesus Christ, and His victory is made available for us. The question Jesus askes us is: “Are you able to drink the chalice that I am about to drink.” In our daily struggles in the face the evils that threaten us, we claim the victory of Christ, especially as we share in His passion through our Lenten observances. Therefore, each day we confront evil with the victory of Christ, for darkness cannot overcome the light. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Wednesday March 8^th, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

15^th Lenten Meditation