Lenten Combats

Accedentes ergo, dilectissimi, ad Quadragesimae initium, id est, ad diligentiorem Domini servitutem, quia quasi ad quemdam agonem sancti operis introimus, ad pugnas tentationum animas praeparemus; et intelligamus quanto studiosiores pro nostra salute fuerimus, tanto nos vehementius ab adversariis impetendos. Sed fortior est qui in nobis est quam qui adversum nos est, et per ipsum validi sumus, in cujus virtute confidimus; quia ob hoc Dominus se tentari a tentatore permisit, ut cujus munimur auxilio, ejusdem erudiremur exemplo. Vicit enim adversarium, ut audistis, testimoniis legis, non potestate virtutis; ut hoc ipso et hominem plus honoraret, et adversarium plus puniret, cum hostis generis humani non quasi a Deo jam, sed quasi ab homine vinceretur. Pugnavit ergo ille tunc, ut et nos postea punaremus; vicit ille, ut et nos similiter vinceremus. Nulla sunt enim, dilectissimi, sine tentationum experimentis opera virtutis, nulla sine probabtionibus fides, nullum sine hoste certamen, nulla sine congressione victoria. Vita haec nostra in medio insidiarum, in medio proeliorum est. Si nolumus decipi, vigilandum est; si volumus superare, pugnandum est.   Sanctus Leo Magnus, Sermo XXXIX

Approaching, most beloved, the beginning of Lent, that is, a more diligent serving of the Lord, because we are entering, as it were, a certain contest of holy works, let us prepare our souls for fights with temptations; and let us understand that the more zealous we are for our salvation, the more vehement will be the assaults of adversaries. But stronger is He in us than He who opposes, and through Him are we powerful in Him whose strength we depend; because it was for this that the Lord permitted Himself to be tempted by the tempter, that we might be fortified by his aid being taught by His example. He conquered the adversary, you have heard, with testimony from the law not by might of strength that by it He might do greater honour to man, and punish the adversary more, by conquering the enemy of the human race not now as God but as Man. He fought then that we might fight after; He conquered that we might likewise conquer. For there are no works of power, most beloved, without the tests of temptations, there is no faith without proof, no contest without a foe, no victory without conflict. This life of ours is in the midst of ambushes, in the midst of battles; if we do not wish to be deceived, we must be vigilant, and if we want to win, we must fight. Saint Leo the Great, Sermon 39