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Wednesday, January 17, 2024

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St. Anthony the Abbot


1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51
Psalm 144:1-2, 9-10
Mark 3:1-6

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this means war

“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, Who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.” —Psalm 144:1

The Catholic Church upholds the right to life, from conception until natural death. We are the Church Militant, and God has given each of us an important role to play on the battlefield. Governments, courts, industries, and lobbyists are plotting death (see Mk 3:6); we who defend life are plotting the victory of the armies of the Lord.

The abortion industry is like Goliath; we who defend life are like David. To the abortion industry and its many supporters, we must seem to have withered hands (Mk 3:1). Surely those who oppose life regard us as Goliath did David, holding us “in contempt” (1 Sm 17:42).

God is working to train our withered hands for battle, our shriveled fingers for war (Ps 144:1). Many faithful hands and fingers will ply the Rosary beads today, wielding the weapons of prayer and fasting which will bring down Goliath. With David, say to Goliath: “You come against me with massive funding, governmental authorization, the support of the secular media, and legal backing. But I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies that you have insulted” (see 1 Sm 17:45). Stretch out your withered hands to Jesus; He will strengthen them for this war (Ps 144:1).

Prayer:  “Arise, O Lord, that Your enemies may be scattered, and those who hate You may flee before You” (Nm 10:35).

Promise:  “The battle is the Lord’s, and He shall deliver you into our hands.” —1 Sm 17:47

Praise:  St. Anthony gave those who came to him in the desert the benefit of his hard-won lessons in spiritual warfare.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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