Some Catholics are disturbed at comments given by Pope Francis via the mainstream media. Topics are selected which have political overtones, and ones in which the Pope “seems” to take a liberal stance. Topics such as abortion, the existence of the devil, and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist are avoided. In these areas the Pope takes a strong, conservative stance. Viewers are led to believe that the Pope is, what he terms, a “lefty” and is trying to “play politics.” These TV shows which present the pope as a political figure, a champion of certain liberal causes, seem innocent enough. In effect, however, they sow seeds of division among Christians. As in any program, limited by time and subject to much editing, such presentations fail to give the whole picture.
Jesus warned that the Father sows wheat in his field, and during the night the enemy sneaks in and sows weeds. As a result we see a field mixed with wheat and weeds—works of God and works of the devil. Perhaps the devil’s most dangerous weed is that of “division.” Jesus prayed for unity among his followers; the devil is dedicated to tearing apart the Body of Christ.
We see the devil at work today in the history of Judah (2 Kings 19:9-36).
“Sennacherib, king of Assyria sent envoys to Hezekiah with this message: ‘Thus shall you say to Hezekiah, king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God on whom you rely deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria. You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all other countries: they doomed them! Will you, then, be saved?’”
The voice of the devil. Sennacherib was a powerful and most feared king. The facts were on his side. He had destroyed nation after nation, some of which were much larger and more powerful than the kingdom of Judah. His tactic was intimidation. It would be easier to scare God’s people into surrender rather than go to the trouble of having a bloody fight. He proclaims to Hezekiah: “You are doomed!” “Give up now!” “Your God is a liar!”
What did Hezekiah do in response to this intimidation tactic?
“Hezekiah took the letter…then he went up to the temple of the Lord, and spreading it out before him, he prayed in the Lord’s presence: ‘O Lord, God of Israel…You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heavens and the earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and listen! …Therefore, O Lord, our God, save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God’”
Yea Hezekiah! Our model for today! He responded by going directly to the Lord. His first action was to expose the problem to God and seek his saving help. In his prayer he proclaim the truth: God reigned over all kingdoms. Judah may have seemed tiny in the eyes of Sennacherib, but Assyria was “peanut size” in the eyes of God. Faith! God’s opinion first!
Notice that this holy king did not engage in a political discussion or seek public opinion on the matter, nor did he arrange a meeting with his enemy—he did not give what was holy to the dogs. Straight to God in prayer! What would happen if every Christian on earth imitated Hezekiah? Instead of engaging in useless discussions, what if went straight to the Father, exposed the issues, and sought his saving help?
God answered Hezekiah’s prayer immediately by sending the prophet Isaiah to confirm that He would handle things. He would save Jerusalem.
Though all the facts and all public opinion weighed against him, the king chose to believe God’s word as given him by the anointed prophet, Isaiah.
“That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. So Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, broke camp and went back home.”
If we Christians would listen to the voice of God and obey it, the devil, like his representative Sennacherib, would break camp and go back home. Why are we so slow to learn? Have we forgotten how to listen to the Lord and trust him?
Jesus warned us against being naïve and following the crowd (Matthew 7:6, 12-14).
“Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
Be discrete. Don’t play games with the devil. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into his conversations. When he throws rocks at us, don’t throw pearls back at him. Keep up your guard and be discerning. Jesus tells us to exercise “holy caution.” This advice is especially appropriate for us who live in an age rampant with the “weeds” of deceit, half-truths, and division. The devil has a plan. Are we falling for it?
“Enter the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many” (Matthew 7:14).
