Episode 105 -- Spiritual Combat c64 -- Temptations to and Remedies for Despair at the end of Life

When our past sins rise up before us at death, what should be our reaction?

In the hour of death, the devil will try to make us despair, that is, to lose hope in our salvation and God’s merciful power. How? By throwing in our face our past sins. We will see in this episode that recollection of past sins is generally a grace from GOD. But we know a tree by its fruits. God brings our sins to our memory to lead us to humility, compunction, and trust in God’s mercy. The devil does so to make us despondent. We will see tonight what to do when the devil tries to turn past sins against us. Fr Scupoli suggests a radical abandonment of ourselves to the infinite power and mercy of God.

We saw in our last episode that the first tactic the devil likes to use at the hour of death is to attack our faith. Faith is the foundation of the spiritual life. Faith is the surrender of ourselves to God and His plan. The devil will try to make us confused about what God has told us about himself. Fr Scupoli insists that we should not respond to the evil except by affirming our WILL to die in the Catholic faith. We must not dispute with him. We must ignore arguments and scripture passages he presents. Let us focus our hearts on Christ crucified and the Church formed from his opened side on the Cross. We know that the Church is the bride of Christ and speaks for Him. In the Church we have found the truth. Where else is there to go?