Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012312.cfm
"But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man."
In today's Gospel, Jesus not only proves to the scribes how illogical it is for them to accuse him of working for Satan, but he also points out to them that he, by the power of the Holy Spirit, has "tied up" Satan, the "strong man." Christ's kingdom has defeated Satan's kingdom.
Christ's victory over Satan is good news for us because we tend to get ourselves enslaved to a sin or two, and it give us hope that the Christ who is in us is greater than the sins that hold us in their grasp.
Overcoming sinful patterns and addictions is not easy. There is no magical cure, and they will not disappear over night. In fact, some of these temptations may be with us for the rest of our lives. God allows them to be in our lives to humble us and raise us to a deeper dependence on himself through prayer.
There are many channels God has given us through which he strengthens us in our fight against sin, e.g., prayer, fasting, practicing the opposite virtues, weekly reception of the Eucharist and frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation. We should avail ourselves of these.
In addition, I highly recommend the following: let us meaningfully say, at least, three Hail Mary's every day concerning the sins that entrap us. Mary, as mother and queen of Jesus the King, was never in Satan's kingdom by sin. God's grace so filled her from the moment of her conception that she never said "no" to God's will and "yes" to Satan's will; therefore, she, with the strength she receives from Christ the Mediator, can and will help us overcome our sins. With Christ her Son, she earnestly longs for our growth in the faith, for she wants to see her Son glorified in us.
May our Lord, through the intercession of his mother and ours, "tie up" the "strong man" in our lives each time we are tempted.
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