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Day 8 – The Devil's Trap

Cantonese

Mandarin

English

In yesterday's reflection, we examined our consciousness to discover the image of the younger son in each one of us. We have realized that our self-centeredness and associated attitudes and traits are some of the key factors motivating us to break ties with God. Today, we go one level deeper to find the culprit.

When we were born, we trusted our parents in every aspect of our lives. We relied on them, learned from them, lived with them, and trusted their guidance. This is what it should be like for our relationship with the Heavenly Father. But someone doesn't like that! That is Satan. This should not be a surprise to us. Who on earth would want to break our relationship with God?

By casting doubts in the minds of Adam and Eve, Satan successfully caused them to trust in God no more. This same tactic of Satan has kept repeating itself throughout history. Satan wants us to shift our trust away from God to ourselves so that we can be easily manipulated by its evil plans on us. By fueling our ego, Satan effortlessly leads us away from God so that its goal to divide will succeed.

Unfortunately, Satan knows us very well. It knows we love success. Cunningly it finds ways to silently tempt us through pleasures, popularity, power, etc. Satan will provide all the fuel we need to drift away from the Father's House! That is why we need to be vigilant. Otherwise, we can be easily tricked by the Devil unknowingly.

In his apostolic letter Patris Corde, when Pope Francis describes one of the characteristics of St. Joseph being "a father in the shadows", he says, "In his relationship with Jesus, Joseph was the earthly shadow of the heavenly Father: he watched over him and protected him, never leaving him to go his own way." The Pope has so beautifully described the relationship between Jesus and St. Joseph. How humble Jesus was to subject Himself to Joseph, who was God's creation. If Jesus, being a God-man, also subjected himself to the guidance and boundaries by His earthly foster father, how much more should we also stay in the Father's House to be watched over, be protected, and be guided!

Our Father's love for us is not possessive. He allows us to choose Him, or not. His love for us is so unconditional but that makes Him so vulnerable! The choice is ours to make, to stay with Him, or to leave Him; to love Him, or not to love Him; to trust in Him, or to trust in the Devil.

REFLECTION

Try to relive those moments when God took care of you, protected you, and guided you as a faithful God through the years.

Reflect upon the times when you set off to go your own way, and how God has come to your rescue as you called for His help.

Reflect on how Jesus had chosen to remain faithful and obedient to His Father. Will you follow Jesus’ footsteps in choosing your future path?

TODAY'S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I know I have drifted away from You. I have not been a good and faithful child. And I realize that I must have broken Your Heart by choosing the evil ways! Yet, Your love for me is so constant, so unconditional, and so beautiful! Help me to stand firm in my trust in You and never again allow me to partner with Satan to hurt You. I renounce Satan and all its works on me. If I am to choose again, I will choose You, my Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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Sincerely invite you to share the reflections that inspires you by this day's retreat.

16 Comments

  1. grace
    grace on February 24, 2021 at 10:55 pm

    Dear God, please give me strength to resist temptation and be good. Amen.

    Reply
  2. Linda Chan
    Linda Chan on February 25, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Times when I drifted away from God are numerous. Likewise are Satan’s temptations. They come in all different forms and the worst thing is I might not be aware of having fallen into their traps. I pray to God for forgiveness and rescue, so that I can be more vigilant in resisting temptations.

    Reply
  3. Doris Tan
    Doris Tan on February 25, 2021 at 5:42 am

    Lord thank you so much all these years you were with me. Even before you called me you are always there for me, guiding me all my life. You gave me the courage for the years of struggled i go through my life. You teached me to be humble even i was humilted by the people around me. You are my saviour, my rock and many more.

    I will put all my trusts in you.

    Jesus i love you

    Reply
  4. Marie Bernadette Cheng
    Marie Bernadette Cheng on February 25, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    God has been look after me all these years, protecting and guiding me. He rescued me from all harms.
    I will follow Jesus footsteps in choosing my future path no matter how difficult it will be as this is the best path and ONLY path to Salvation.

    Reply

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