he can have no power to hurt us. He, however, unceasingly tempts us by external evils and every other means of annoyance within his reach; and therefore do we beseech God to deliver us from evil. [1]
We say " from evil," not " from evils," because the evils which we experience from others we ascribe to the arch enemy as their author and instigator. This is also a reason why we should be less disposed to cherish sentiments of resentment towards our neighbour, turning our hatred and anger against Satan himself, by whom men are impelled to inflict injuries. If, therefore, your neighbour has injured you in any respect, when you bend in prayer to God your Father, beg of him not only to deliver you from evil, that is, from the injuries, which your neighbour inflicts; but also to rescue your neighbour from the power of the devil, whose wicked suggestions impel man to deeds of injustice. [2]
Finally, we should know, that if by prayers and vows we are not delivered from evil, we should endure our afflictions with patience, convinced that it is the will of God that we should so endure them. If, therefore, God hear not our prayers, we are not to yield to feelings of peevishness or discontent: it is ours to submit in all things, to the divine will and pleasure, convinced that what happens in accordance with the will of God, not that which, on the contrary, is agreeable to our own wishes, is really useful and salutary to us. In fine, that during our mortal career we should be prepared to meet every species of affliction and calamity, not only with patience, but even with joy, is a truth which the zealous Pastor should press upon the attention of his pious hearers. " All that will live godly in Christ Jesus," says St. Paul, " shall suffer persecution:" [3] " Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven;" [4] and again, our Lord himself says: " Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so enter into his glory." [5] A servant, then, should not be greater than his master; and as St. Bernard says, " Delicate members do not become a head crowned with thorns." [6] The example of Uriah challenges our admiration and imitation: when urged by David to remain at home, he replied: " The ark of God, and Israel, and Judah, dwell in tents; and shall I go into my house?" [7]
If to prayer we bring with us these reflections and these dispositions, although encompassed by evils on every side, like the three children who passed unhurt amidst the flames, we shall be preserved through the perilous ordeal; or at least, like the Macchabees, we shall bear up against adverse fortune with firmness and fortitude. In the midst of contumelies and tortures we shall imitate the blessed examples of the Apostles, who, after
