Episode 94 -- Spiritual Combat c57 -- Thanksgiving

Are we bound in justice to give thanks to God for all He has done?

In this episode we begin the final section of The Spiritual Combat. We have read about the four spiritual weapons; we have read about the Holy Eucharist, the weapon of weapons against our spiritual enemies. Fr Scupoli now has a series of final thoughts.

Having discussed the Eucharist, a Greek word that means thanksgiving, it is natural that Fr Scupoli should begin his final words of advice on the spiritual combat with advice on thanksgiving. It is true that we must be courageous in this battle and make significant effort. But God’s love is prior to all our efforts. We strive against self, because His grace sustains us and spurs us on. After the chapter on thanksgiving, we will read a series of chapters on offering ourselves to God, dryness in our spiritual lives, ongoing examination of conscience, preparing for death, and temptations to despair and vainglory.

Last episode we read about how to make a spiritual communion. Fr Scupoli encourages us to prepare for it like we would to receive Holy Communion at Mass. He told us the benefits of receiving Holy Communion:

1. The soul regains lost virtues
2. Recovers her pristine purity
3. The soul is rendered worthy to partake of the merits of the Cross

Receiving Communion is highly pleasing to the eternal Father.

Let us never forget: God wants us to receive Holy Communion! By receiving in the proper state, we are doing His will. We are being obedient. We give the Lord joy. If we really prepare well for a spiritual communion, our spiritual communion could even be more powerful in our spiritual lives than receiving Communion at Mass without much preparation.