A wonderful priest once told me that Satan fights extra hard for the souls he sees he is losing. He told me this when I went to see him for confession and to talk about my sins. He asked what was wrong. As I held back the tears, I told him I did not understand why after spending hours reading the Bible and having discussions and praying with others, I would later lay in bed only to be wrought with severe thoughts of impurity. Many times acting on them.
The tone of his response had underlying ease and carried a hint of a chuckle. If I had not known better, I would have thought Fr. Ramon was not taking me or my sin seriously. As he continued talking with me, laughter soon took over. However, it was not the laughter of mockery but one that signaled an obviousness and commonality found in my situation. It was as if to say “of course” that is happening to you. Priests have heard it all many times over, and Fr. Ramon knew exactly what the situation was. He went on to say that when Satan sees you getting closer to God, he works extra hard to keep you in his grip. He asked: how do you feel after you have sinned,” I replied: unworthy, hypocritical, and distant from God.
Then Father said something to me that would leave a lasting reminder. He said that is exactly how Satan wins. Of course, the sin is terrible and serious, as is all sin, but I could overcome it with God’s grace and time. Satan knows that, so he wants to convince you that it can not be overcome and that you are indeed unworthy. This works for millions who fall to sin and stay down. This is why Jesus says to pick up our cross and follow me. Carrying a cross is not a moment in time; it is a lifelong journey.
Fr. Ramon ended by reminding me that there is no sin Jesus can not forgive, and he does not care nor count how many times we fall. He only cares that we get up and carry our cross. As St. Paul writes: “Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal” 2 Cor 4:16-18. Saint Paul himself, writing in Romans Chapter 7, describes his own struggle
15 What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.
16 Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good.
17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.
20 Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
Unable to free ourselves from the slavery of sin and the power of death, we can only be rescued from defeat in the conflict by the power of God’s grace working through Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on Sin
Many will look at Ravi and be shocked, and many will have their faith shaken or, worse, lose it altogether. Still, others will understand that while it is always disappointing to see another fall, Ravi, like the rest of us, was merely human. He, however, carried a burden many of us will never know. His fame and adoration brought with it temptation most will never have to experience. Ravi’s story is one that should serve as a calling to all Christians to examine their own conscience. While Ravi’s sin will be written about by countless authors and laid bare for millions to read about and his salvation speculated upon, it is worth remembering that we all fall short in various ways.
In what I have done and what I have failed to do.
As my friend Monsignor Lisante always challenges his listeners, omission sins allow us to ignore doing the right thing and never get caught. It is up to our conscience to blow the whistle on us. James 4:17 makes it clear: “Anyone, then, that knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” It is time to ask our self the question. “Should I have done something? Did I sit on my hands when God’s word teaches that I should have worked for good? With this in mind, it is worth noting that Ravi’s business partner admitted to knowing about his transgressions and regrets not doing something. Moreover, according to statements, Ravi claimed his desires were the result of his ministry’s burdens. How often do we justify our own sin?
One of the women who accused Ravi of acting inappropriately said:
“Even with someone as godly as Ravi, “you can still be battling with the Devil.”
Rather than letting the discovery of Ravi’s sin trouble you, as Ravi himself said, “We all sin,” let these revelations serve as an impetus to examine your own conscience. An honest examination of conscience should help you reflect on how you respond to the demands made by the love of God and the battles with the devil you are experiencing but perhaps hiding from. —In what you have done and what you have failed to do.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. O Lord, your sorrowing Mother stood by your cross; help us in our sorrows to share your sufferings.
Ravi Zacharias’s Ministry Investigates Claims of Sexual Misconduct at Spas
Three women have come forward with additional allegations against the late Christian apologist.