Devils Big and Small

Feb 24

In a reflection given during Lent entitled “Devils Big and Small”, founder of the Oblates, Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS, observed:

“We read in the Gospel about the temptation of Our Lord in the desert. He willed to undergo temptations of every kind, the temptation to comfort and ease, the temptation to pride and the desire to be the master, and the temptation to mass riches. Everyone experiences temptations of one kind or another. Whatever your temptation is, you must stand firm and dismiss it courageously.”

“When the big devil leaves, a little devil often stays behind. The little devil seems less annoying and therefore, may be more easily accepted than the big devil. The little devil is not so easy to dismiss because it does not suggest very big things. The little devil flatters the little, secret inclinations of our self-love.”

“Send away the little personal devil as quickly as the big one. The little devil is actually more dangerous because it is more suggestive and persistent. It does not appear to be so bad, but take care. Imitate the response of Our Lord, who said, “Begone, Satan!” Do not listen to these devils, be they big or small.”

In addition to avoiding discussions with our own personal devils (regardless of size), the Salesian tradition offers another remedy for responding to temptations: turn temptations into inspirations! For example, if tempted to be cheap, be generous instead. If tempted to be self-absorbed, be other-centered instead. If tempted to be reactive, be responsive instead. If tempted to begrudge, be forgiving instead.

Salesian Spirituality calls us to gentle and attentive awareness. We do not panic when tempted; we respond deliberately. In this way, temptations are not merely obstacles on the road to holiness; they are invitations to grow in love. Each time we say, “Begone,” we are not only rejecting evil, we are choosing Christ again, choosing to live Jesus.

How might the temptations in our lives challenge us to practice even greater virtue in our lives? If we meet both the big devils and the little ones with courage, faith, and a deliberate choice for virtue, we may discover that temptation itself becomes one of God’s unexpected tools for our transformation. Each small victory strengthens the soul and helps us along our path of everyday holiness.