Dear friends, these deeply moving words are culled from the first urbi et orbi (city of Rome and the World) speech of Pope Leo XIV shortly after he was elected to be the successor of St. Peter the Vicar of Christ. Pope Leo echoed the words of Pope Francis, who captured the powerful assurance of Christ, “be not afraid, be courageous, for I have overcome the world” (John 16.33).
This message brings to light the truth of our Easter victory built on the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Evil can never prevail because God is the overarching controller of the history of being. We are in the hands of God who is good, Christ who is the way, the truth and life, and the Holy Spirit who is our advocate!
In our service of the poor and needy, I am sure that we have felt the intimidating presence of evil; morally, spiritually, socially, physically and otherwise. Perhaps, we might have even experienced demonic assaults in our lives and souls in varied forms. In our times, the devil seems to be emboldened, and evil having a field day. It can be overwhelming and discouraging when we pass through those moments. Yet, evil labors in vain. I invite everyone to repeat these words to ourselves as often as possible. Let us reaffirm the fact that God unconditionally loves us, that He goes before all, that He holds our hands to strengthen us, that His spirit binds us in love with one another, that He always offers us peace unlike the worlds, and that evil no matter how imposing it might be, will never prevail.
“If God is with us, nothing and no being can be against us“-Romans 8.31-39.
Fr Kelvin, Spiritual Advisor St Michael Conference