Denver Catholic

9 DENVER CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 2020 unfortunately, to see how delusional our con- trol over things really is and how tenuous our over-reliance on ourselves. Peter thus reminds us to "be sober and watch- ful." That is the posture of a humble and praying soul. He goes on to state that the devil is prowl- ing about looking to devour us (1 Pe 5:9). Peter's urging suggests that a tremendous source of anxiety is the veil of deception placed over us by Satan. The devil is crafty and manipulative and so we must always assume that things from God's point of view are not what they appear to be. Often, God is at work in ways missed by the mainstream. And the things we think we grasp clearly only entrap us further into the devil's snare. The only way to avoid being fooled is to be humble, sober and alert in prayer, which is why the Church gives us this season of Advent to prepare for the coming of Christ, lest we be caught off guard and unaware when God's vic- tory over evil is announced. The events of the first Christmas make this all too evident. As the ancient world reeled from political machinations, economic exploits, and seemingly untouchable princely powers, the Prince of Peace is born unnoticed in a stable in Bethlehem. The true King is announced without a headline or a propaganda war. Meanwhile, the prince of darkness didn't even notice. What at first seemed a setback to God's plan — finding no room at the inn and an exile to Egypt — becomes God's humble and thus hidden counter offensive to the darkness that lay upon the earth at that time. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined" (Is 9:2). So, be at peace, for Christ has conquered the world. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful." 1 PE 5:6-8

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