1.

Introduction: Light and Darkness

The year 2020 has been a difficult year because the pandemic is
worldwide. Many people died because of the virus. Many people are
dominated by fear. Families cannot be together. The economy has also
suffered. Many people lost their jobs. Many people are hungry. These factors
affected the mental health of many people. Depression is widespread.
Violence has also increased. A very sad incident happened yesterday in
Manila. A man killed his two children and possibly his wife. The man
reported that his wife committed suicide but the neighbors doubted it. The
man lost his job and is suffering from depression. Darkness is widespread.
2. Jesus Christ: Light of the World
The celebration of Christmas reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Light of
the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it. (John 1, 5). In the midst of this darkness, our Lord journeys with
us. We have to walk with Jesus Christ who is Emmanuel- God with us.
[Matthew 1, 23]
3. Angels: lights sent by God
The angels are also creatures like us. They are spiritual creatures who
assist us. The demons attack us while angels help us. The most well-known
are the archangels-St. Michael [Who is like God?], St. Raphael [God’s
remedy] and St. Gabriel [God’s strength] and our guardian angels. They are
our friends who assist us. They are like lights sent by God. They chose the
light and not the darkness.
4. Satan: Prince of Darkness
Satan had been leading people away from God since the beginning. It is
very important to consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church [391]
“Behind the disobedient choice of our first parents lurks a seductive voice,
opposed to God, which makes them fall into death out of envy. 266 Scripture
and the Church's Tradition see in this being a fallen angel, called "Satan" or
the "devil".267 The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made
by God:
The demons started as lights but became forces of darkness when they
turned away from God.
5. Demons- forces of darkness
"The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by
God, but they became evil by their own doing."268 [391]
They were proud. The nature remained but they lost the graces given by
God. Demons can mess with us only with God’s permission. The demons
tempt us in order to lead us to sin. Their aim is to lead us to mortal sin and
remain there. We cannot overcome temptations on our own. We need God’s
grace and it will us lead us to grow in virtues.
6. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1,5)
The demons continue to harm since they cannot do anything with God.
However, we have powerful allies and friends the angels who assist us. We
are invited to follow their example of humility, love, trust and submission to
God so that we will remain in the light.
“The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature,
powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot
prevent the building up of God's reign”. [CCC,395]
“Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve
his saving plans for other creatures: "The angels work together for the benefit of
us all" (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I, 114, 3, ad 3). [CCC,350]
“The angels surround Christ their Lord. They serve him especially in the
accomplishment of his saving mission to men”. [CCC, 351]
“The Church venerates the angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and
protect every human being”. [CCC, 352]