Recently, while walking in the Washington National Mall, I noticed a father holding his daughter’s hands as they crossed the street. Afterwards, the girl’s mother gave her water to drink, and a snack to eat. Then the mother placed a hat on the girl’s head to block the sun. I could not help but think of when Jesus told His disciples to have child-like faith and trust in God. He said, “unless you become like a child, you will not enter the kingdom of heave” (Mt 18:3). A child is one of the most vulnerable persons in the world. A child must rely on his or her parents for shelter, food, drink, protection, education, and direction to flourish. In the same way, we too must place ourselves in God’s providential care.
The biggest obstacle that keeps from living this child-like faith and trust in God is the presence of the evil one; the one called satan or the devil. The name “satan,” comes from the Hebrew words which mean the “adversary” or even “accuser.” The “devil,” comes the Greek word diabolos, which implies division or throwing apart. According to Sacred Scripture and Tradition, the evil one accuses God and attempts to divide what God has set forth for human beings. The Book of Genesis tells us that satan lied to Adam and Eve; he told them that they would not perish if they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gn 3). The devil wanted to break apart the creatures from the Creator. He led them to doubt God. This is the devil’s biggest lie: You cannot trust God. The devil wants us to believe that God’s commandments are obstacles to our freedom and happiness. He wants us to think that we can determine right and wrong. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the world has never been the same. Humanity has experienced the effects of sin and suffering. Satan continues to be our great adversary. His scheme is to lead us away from God because he wants us for himself. We are in a spiritual battle; as pilgrims on earth we are battling to remain faithful to God.
The extraordinary news is that we are not alone in this battle. The gospel tells us, “God so loved the world, that He gave His Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). Our faith proclaims that Jesus, the Son of God by nature, became like one of us in all things but sin. He did this to save us. By dying Jesus destroyed our death and by rising He restored our life. He fought on our behalf; He is the victor over sin and death. All who follow Christ will share in that victory.
God’s greatest promise is that we are His sons and daughters. We can trust Him. Like the parents whom I saw at the National Mall that day, God is one who will guide us on this earthly pilgrimage; He will show us the way, the truth, and life. He will feed us, quench our thirst, and protect us. Jesus said, “look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life span?” (Mt. 6:26-27). Have you made a decision to surrender everything to God today? Have you abandon yourself totally into God’s providence? The devil’s biggest lie? Don’t believe it! God’s greatest promise is that we are His children for whom He will always provide. Trust Him.