THE TWO STANDARDS

Horacio de la Costa, S.J.

Life is a Warfare: a warfare between two standards: the
Standard of Christ and the standard of Satan. It is a warfare
older than the world, for it began with the revolt of the angels. It
is a warfare wide as the world; it rages in every nation, every
city, in the heart of every man. Satan desires all men to come
under his Standard, and to this end lures them with riches,
honors, power, all that ministers to the lust and pride of man.
Christ on the contrary, invites all to fight under His Standard.
But He offers no worldly allurement; only Himself. Only Jesus;
only the Son of Man; born an outcast, raised in poverty, rejected
as a teacher, betrayed by His friend, crucified as a criminal. And
therefore His followers shall not be confounded forever; they are
certain of ultimate victory, against them, the gates of hell cannot
prevail. The powers of darkness shall enter into glory with
Christ, their King. Two armies, two Standards, two generals...
and to every man there comes the imperious cry of command:
Choose! Christ or Satan? Choose! Sanctity or Sin? Choose!
Heaven or Hell? And in the choice he makes, is summed up the
life of every man.