February 22nd, 2024
The concept of spiritual warfare is a favorite among many Catholics, for obvious reasons. The term itself conjures images of valor and glory, we can easily picture those beautiful works of art that depict St Michael defeating the rebel angels or perhaps St. George slaying that ferocious dragon. Lent itself is a spiritual battleground, where armed with the weapons of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, each of us go to war.
However, for me, I am not very concerned with fighting against the forces of Hell. Instead, my sights are set upon a much more tenacious and formidable enemy; one that is incredibly more deceptive and often gets the better of me with little to no effort. I am speaking of my own flesh, my own self, my own duplicitous will that is so often in rebellion against God, my only true good.
Today, the Church commemorates St. Margaret of Cortona. A patroness of penitents, this glorious saint was once a mistress to a medieval lord. She loved luxury, vanity, and most of all, herself. Upon finding her lover’s corpse after his unfortunate murder, she shifted her focus from this life unto eternity. From then on, her entire life was one long Lenten season in anticipation of an eternal Eastertide. She gave all of her riches to the poor and fasted everyday.
I enlist her help in the battle against my most wicked enemy. I often recall some words of hers, which might be of help to you. While having dinner with a family she often solicited for alms, they served her pork. This is not a very big deal, except for the fact that St. Margaret had not only ceased to eat any meat after her conversion, she especially ceased to eat pork- her most favorite food. I could picture her having a stare down with that plate of delicious food, trembling and twitching staring at the juicy, tender morsels of meat. Her hosts encouraged her to eat it, but she famously replied: “Don't ask me to give in to this body of mine. I can't afford it. Between me and my body there must be a struggle until death.”
I hope that her fortitude may inspire you as it inspires me, and I beg St. Margaret of Cortona to pray for us all.
Jack Salmon is a poor sinner, in desperate need of your prayers.