FROM DEFEATED VICTIM TO WORLD CHAMPION

The Israelites were a defeated people. For years, the Midianites annually ruined the Israelites' crops and the Israelites were powerless to do anything about it (Jgs 6:5-6). They were reduced to struggling for survival by doing such things as secretly beating out wheat in the wine press (see Jgs 6:11).

The church in the Western world is largely defeated. For years, our secular humanistic culture has repeatedly stolen the faith of our children, priestly and religious vocations, our desire to grow in holiness, the peace of our homes, and the strength and stability of our families. We seem powerless to do anything about it. We are reduced to being survivors, to mere "damage control."

The Lord sent an angel to Gideon not to tell him what he was but to tell him what he could be. The angel called Gideon "champion." With us also, the Lord is calling us to rise above our sinful mediocrity and to be His champions. Are you ready to leave behind defeat and sin and live the abundant life the Lord has promised? (see Jn 10:10)