1 John 4:4
"For the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
When the Harry Potter series became incredibly popular, one of my closest friends did something that I must admit was a bit villainous. As fans rushed into stores to purchase the newest book, he grabbed one off the shelf and began to read aloud its final pages. The other shoppers actually plugged their ears to prevent hearing the book's ending! They didn't want a "spoiler alert."
We don't know quite how the entire story of our lives will come to pass, yet we do know that by Jesus' victory on the cross evil will not triumph. This is exactly what St. John is reminding his audience in our First Reading at Mass today: God is greater than the evil that exists in the world—and he has already won the battle! At times, evil seems to have its day—yet we know how this story ends. These words of Scripture are a "spoiler alert": the God who lives in us is greater than the one who is in the world. May we place our trust anew in this sacred promise.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Deacon Connor Penn, Fourth Theology
Home parish: Corpus Christi
Did you know...
I am the oldest of three children--which meant that, growing up, I was always the banker when we played Monopoly! Both of my siblings now live in Chicago.
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
