Divine Appeal Reflection - 155
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 155: "I call them all to watch and pray, fight their evil inclinations and suffer them not to grow into bad habits. The grass in the meadowlands has to be mowed every year. The ground needs to be ploughed, manured, and freed from weeds."
Our Most Adorable Jesus enjoins us to "watch and pray," exhorting every soul to a spiritual discipline and vigilance. The beautiful caution finds expression in the very words with which our Adorable Jesus addresses his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, urging them to stay awake to pray so that they may not fall into temptation (cf. Matthew 26:41). It is through prayer that we equip ourselves with the divine grace of resisting sin's snares and remaining steadfast on the path of righteousness. Similarly, alertness lets us see the influences of sin and grace in our souls, directing our decisions to be consistent with God's holy will and walking in His light.
Fighting against evil inclinations—the disordered impulses that arise from our sinful nature—is another point our Adorable Jesus makes clear. The Christian life is a struggle between the flesh and the spirit, according to St. Paul, who teaches that we must mortify our sinful inclinations and live according to the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16-17). This battle against sin is a necessary component of our path to holiness; it is not optional. We actively fight the vices that would imprison us by fostering virtues through prayer, self-denial, and charitable deeds.
Evil inclinations, if left unchecked, develop into habits that distort our moral compass and alienate us from God. Our Adorable Jesus warns of this danger, urging us to prevent bad habits from taking root in our lives. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that repeated sinful actions form habits that incline us further toward sin (cf. CCC 1865). These habits harden the heart, making repentance more challenging. Therefore, Jesus’ call is a plea to confront and uproot sin at its earliest stages, safeguarding the freedom of our souls.
The metaphor of the meadowlands that "need to be mowed every year" is a poignant reminder of the constant effort required in the spiritual life. Our Adorable Jesus likens this care to plowing the ground, adding nourishment, and removing weeds to ensure a fruitful harvest. Plowing symbolizes the repentance that breaks up the hardness of our hearts, while manuring reflects the sustenance provided by the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation. The removal of weeds signifies the ongoing effort to reject sin and grow in virtue, aligning our lives with God’s design (cf. John 15:1-2).
In response to this divine appeal, let us dedicate ourselves to the labor of cultivating our souls. By cooperating with grace, we participate in the sanctification that prepares us for the eternal harvest of heaven. The path is not easy, but our Adorable Jesus assures us of His assistance, for He never abandons those who seek His help.
Prayer
Our Adorable Jesus, we turn to You in humility, seeking the strength to watch and pray as You have commanded. Grant us the grace to resist evil inclinations and uproot sin from our hearts. Nourish us with Your sacraments and guide us in cultivating lives that bear fruit for Your glory. May we persevere in this holy work until we are united with You in the eternal joy of heaven.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.
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