May, month of Mary: meditation day sixteen

THE INFERNAL SNAKE

16 DAY
Holy Mary.

Invocation. - Mary, Mother of mercy, pray for us!

THE INFERNAL SNAKE
If the protection of Our Lady is needed to overcome the attractions of the world and overcome the hard and persistent struggles of the body, much more is required to fight against the devil, who is the most astute of our enemies. Expelled from Paradise, he lost the friendship of God, but retained his intelligence, - which is far superior to human; devoured by the hatred of God who punished him, he burns with jealousy towards the human creature, destined for eternal happiness. He puts into action his wickedness, using every snare to induce sin, not to regain the grace of God and let die in impenitence.
The Holy Church, which knows this, has put this invocation into liturgical prayers: «Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos Domine! »Deliver us, O Lord, from the snares of the devil!
Sacred Scripture presents the infernal enemy to us as an angry lion: «Brothers, be sober and be vigilant, because your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, goes around looking for someone to devour him; resist him by remaining strong in faith! »(St. Peter I, V, 8-9).
In the form of a snake, Satan tempted Adam and Eve and was victorious. To deceive them, use a lie: "If you eat this fruit, you will become like God! »(Genesis, III, 5). In reality, the devil is the father of lies and it takes care not to fall into his laces.
The devil tempts everyone, even the good ones, indeed especially these. It is useful to know its pitfalls to get rid of it.
He is content with getting little from a soul; then asks for more, the door on the edge of the precipice, gives a stronger assault ... and the soul falls into mortal sin.
It says: Pecca! You will confess later! ... God is merciful! ... Nobody sees you! ... How many sin more than you! ... In the last period of your life you will give yourself seriously to God; now think about enjoying!
Slow down or cut the channels, for which the soul has the strength: Rare Confessions and Communions ... without fruit; reduced or completely omitted prayer; boredom of meditation and good reading; neglect in the examination of conscience ... The more the strength of the soul decreases, the more that of the devil increases.
In assaults she does not tire; try alone; if he fails, he calls seven other demons worse than him and resumes the fight. He knows the temperament and weak side of everyone's spiritual life. He knows that the body is inclined to evil and stresses its passions, first with thoughts and imaginations and then with bad desires and acts. Insensibly brings the soul into the dangerous occasion, saying: In this look, in this freedom, in this meeting ... there is nothing wrong, at best there is veniality ... - At the right moment intensify the assault and here the ruin of that soul.
Satan tries to triumph by attacking the heart; when he manages to bond with sinful affections, he easily sings victory.
Who can help us against the pitfalls of the devil? Maria! God said to the infernal serpent: "A Woman will crush your head! »(Genesis, III, 15). Our Lady is the terror of hell. Satan fears and hates her, first of all because she has cooperated in the Redemption and also because she can save those who turn to her.
As the child, terrified at the sight of a snake, calls the mother shouting, so in temptations, we call Maria, who will certainly come to help. Let's take the Rosary Crown, kiss it with faith, protest that we want to die rather than give in to the enemy.
This invocation is also very powerful and effective, when the devil attacks: Lord, let your Blood descend on me to fortify me and on the devil to bring it down! - Repeat carefully as long as the temptation lasts and its great effectiveness will be seen.

EXAMPLE

San Giovanni Bosco had a vision, which he then told his young people. He saw a snake in a meadow, seven or eight meters long and of extraordinary thickness. He was horrified by this sight and wanted to flee; but a mysterious character, who used to guide him in visions,
he said to him, "Don't run away; come here and watch! -
The guide went to get a rope and said to Don Bosco: Hold this rope by one end, but tightly. He then went over to the other side of the snake, lifted the rope and gave it a lash on the beast's back. The snake jumped, turning its head to bite, but became more caught. The ends of the rope were then tied to a tree and a railing. Meanwhile the snake wiggled and gave such blows to the ground with its head and coils, which tore its flesh. So he continued until he died and only the skeleton remained.
The mysterious character picked up the rope, made it into a ball and placed it in a box; later he opened the box again and invited Don Bosco to look. The rope was arranged to form the words "Ave Maria". - See, he said, the snake depicts the devil and the rope the Ave Maria or rather depicts the Rosary, which is a continuation of Ave
Maria. With this prayer you can beat, win and destroy all demons in hell. -

Fioretto - Immediately turn away from the mind the bad thoughts that the devil usually arouses.

Giaculatoria - O Jesus, for your crowning with thorns, forgive my sins of thought!