Corrupt Leaders, Faithful Souls: The Battle Never Changes

The readings for this homily

Father David Gunter, MIC, explains that throughout salvation history, the pattern of spiritual combat remains remarkably consistent. The Book of Daniel addresses the difficulties of being a faithful Jew during the Babylonian exile, containing apocalyptic literature that arises when God's holy people suffer severe religious or political oppression. The story of Susanna reveals corrupt leadership in two elders who were shameless womanizers, abusing their position of authority for their own wicked desires. Yet God vindicates the faithful.

This same dynamic appears in the Gospel reading where corrupt chief priests and Pharisees use a woman caught in adultery to advance their own wicked agenda. They wanted to discredit Jesus, hoping to incriminate Him if He orders her stoning. Throughout the Bible, the lesson repeats: The battle is always between good and evil, holiness versus godlessness, sanctity and sin. As Proverbs teaches, when the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

Despite all that Jesus has done through His death and resurrection, we still see the same kind of evil and corruption in the world. It is a constant abuse of authority that causes tremendous harm. Saint Paul writes about authority in Second Corinthians, stating it is given for building up, not for tearing down. The evil one wants to tear down everything, causing division, fostering hatred, fear, and violence. He tempts and corrupts people in authority to accomplish his works of destruction.

On the other hand, the work of the Holy Spirit fosters unity, peace, and love. We have been given the Holy Spirit and can experience His peace in our hearts despite all the horrors in the world. We have modern-day Pharisees who believe themselves to be the spiritual elite. Whenever heresy or error is being taught, we must speak up and defend our Catholic faith.

The turmoil in the world is unprecedented. We are witnesses of the strife and suffering of nation against nation, famine, and chaos.

But God is always with us. He hears our prayers. If we remain faithful, He will be faithful. The Book of Revelation speaks of the beast making war on the saints, but authority was given to us to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. This is apocalyptic language describing a spiritual battle where we have authority as children of God over the spirits that come against us because we have the power of the Lord Jesus and His name with us.

We must pray for the gift of discernment, for all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and especially pray the Rosary to let our Heavenly Mother guide us in this spiritual battle.