The enemy within

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 27, 26 November 1985, Page 14

The enemy within

Have you ever had an occasion in your life when you have broken out in verbal or physical violence, without warning and without provocation, so that you surprised even yourself? Are there people for whom you have a dislike that is out of all proportion to the harm they have done to you? If so, chances are, you have an enemy within, which is made up of the collection of characteristics we pretend we do not have. It is in times of jquiet, of solitude, when we are away from distractions, that our inner enemy can be brought to our conscious mind. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, spent forty days in solitude and confronted his inner enemies (see Luke 4:1-13). A question such as: "Who do I dislike, ignore, hate?" can help us identify the enqmy within.

In answer to that question we often think of an individual person. That person symbolizes something, for instance, domination, cowardice, loose morals, respectability. We need to realize that the characteristics we attribute to that person are actually in us. If we get upset by the bullying or manipulating tactics of others, we need to look for the bully or the manipulator within. As Our Lord said: "Take the plank out of your own eye first and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5).

H o wever , a word of warning. Do not look within to face your enemy unless you are sure that God is with you. When Our Lord Jesus Christ spent forty days in solitude, he did so with the assurance of the Holy Spirit. (See Luke 4:1) When you meet the enemy within, you will have to apply the same merciful forgiveness that God gives you. (See Matthew 5:44-45) So, first of all, accept the fact that God loves you, the whole you, even though there are parts that you would hide from yourself. Neal Wilson, S.M.