Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.” Daniel 10:12-13
There is given to us in these sacred words some little insight into the unseen struggle between good and evil, between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. That it all seems so strange to us may be because we are so far from the front lines, so to speak, and are otherwise preoccupied. Being thus disengaged, we hear the thunder of battle in the distance, but can’t make out what is really going on.
On your guard, Christian soldier! There is fight enough for all of us. We are to take every thought captive. We are to stand for truth, whatever our post, “stand like a beaten anvil”, as St. Ignatius used to say. Sharpen your sword—your knowledge and understanding of the word of God—and be engaged. Pray hard. The battle is the Lord’s.
