Evil Lurks

 Even in the safest places, evil lurks. New Zealand prides itself as one of the most peaceful and safest countries in the world, and I can attest to that. But you can never be complacent for Satan’s minions will strike without notice.

On Sunday October 13, 2013 at about 8 pm, my son Kim entered the compound and parked his car in the garage of the unit he shares with his wife Krizia in Hamilton.   When my wife, Debbie, went out fifteen minutes later to get her cellphone and laptop, she had the shock of her life:  the car was no longer there. Yes, carnapping can happen in peaceful and safe New Zealand. Satan is at work in Godzone.

In places of worship, the devil is busy as well. Haven’t you noticed signs placed in churches reminding churchgoers to watch over their personal belongings? There have been many incidents of thievery occurring as the Holy Mass is celebrated.

No one is safe, not even the first Pope. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."” (Matthew 16:23)  One writer explained, “But it seems rather to mean the devil, who took the advantage of Peter's weakness and ignorance; and put him upon dissuading Christ from suffering, for the salvation of his people”.

So let us be always on guard. To fend off Satan, say the perfect prayer that summarizes all that is written in the Gospel: Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.