“A soul in a state of grace has nothing to fear from a bunch of cowardly devils.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
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Part III: The Antichrist in Solovyov’s Narrative
Today and tomorrow, we’ll examine how the Antichrist is portrayed in the literature I’m familiar with.
He is primarily described as a political figure endowed with extraordinary charisma who offers solutions to pressing political and social problems.
This Antichrist, as I have encountered him in literature, is said to exude a powerful fascination that people find almost impossible to resist. Outwardly, he appears to be a spiritual person who seems endowed with virtues, possesses great foresight, and is open to religious questions.
Thus, a different image of the Antichrist is initially presented here—one that differs from the various anti-Christian figures we have come to know on the political stage throughout history as violent tyrants.
Today, I would like to begin by discussing what is perhaps the most important book on this subject: A Short Tale of the Antichrist by Vladimir Solovyov.
Part II: Some aspects of the Antichrist
In the introduction to this series on the Antichrist we already saw that the text does not speak of a single Antichrist but of many. At the end of yesterday’s text I referred to the “anti-Christian spirit,” which we must learn to identify when it unleashes its destructive influence and seeks to confuse people.
The Inner Antichrist
Some authors who address this subject also point to an “inner Antichrist” within each of us. This is true insofar as the anti-divine temptation also lives within us, and we must reject and overcome it as much as possible. This becomes clear when we consider that the Antichrist spirit is Lucifer’s spirit, which seeks to exert influence by confusing people from within or through various external influences. The goal remains the same: the powers of darkness seek to exercise dominion over humanity and to compete with the reign of Christ. In order to combat the “inner Antichrist,” we need the tools that make up the basic spiritual equipment for following Christ. We will return to these later.
“BEWARE OF CURIOSITY!”
“Be careful not to let yourself be carried away by curiosity” (Inner Word).
“THE FREEDOM OF LOVING SOULS”
“Neither physical nor geographical circumstances can restrict the freedom of loving souls.” (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)
THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN THREAT AND HOW TO CONFRONT IT: “Part I: Introduction to the topic”
Preliminary remarks
After recently exploring the topic of self-deception and some common deceptions in the world and in the Church, it is now appropriate to begin a series of meditations on the Antichrist and the spirit through which he will act. I have already addressed this topic in several publications, and in 2020 I wrote a series of reflections that will now serve as my foundation. This topic is becoming increasingly relevant, as the anti-Christian spirit is operating on a massive scale in the world and even within the Church. Some might argue that it would be better to focus on the positive aspects of the Gospel. However, one does not exclude the other. Sacred Scripture frequently speaks of Satan and of powers hostile to God, and it exhorts the faithful to prepare for spiritual combat. Therefore, these topics cannot be overlooked. What matters is that we do not address them in a sensationalist way or stir up an unhealthy fascination with darkness.
Those who prefer a meditation on the daily reading or Gospel can find the respective links at the end of the text. Please note that some of these meditations were written several years ago and may occasionally refer to topics that are no longer relevant today.
Everything is inserted in God’s plan
Isa 10:5-7,13-16
Thus says the Lord: Woe to Assyria, rod of my anger, the club in their hands is my fury! I was sending him against a godless nation, commissioning him against the people who enraged me, to pillage and plunder at will and trample on them like the mud in the streets. But this was not his intention nor did his heart plan it so, for he dreamed of putting an end to them, of liquidating nations without number! For he thinks: ‘By the strength of my own arm I have done this and by my own wisdom: how intelligent I have been! I have abolished the frontiers between peoples, I have plundered their treasures, like a hero, I have subjugated their inhabitants. My hand has found, as though a bird’s nest, the riches of the peoples. Like someone collecting deserted eggs, I have collected the whole world while no one has fluttered a wing or opened a beak to squawk.’ Does the axe claim more credit than the man who wields it, or the saw more strength than the man who handles it? As though a staff controlled those who raise it, or the club could raise what is not made of wood! That is why Yahweh Sabaoth is going to inflict leanness on his stout men, and beneath his glory kindle a fever burning like a fire.
“IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP!”
“It is time for us to wake up and rise up!” (St. Benedict).
“GOD’S SANCTUARY”
“The heart must be anchored within me, washed and purified by the blood of the Lamb, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Then it is safe under Mary’s protection.” (Inner Word)
St. Bonaventure: the Seraphic Doctor
One of the luminaries in the ecclesiastical firmament—as we might call the saints—is St. Bonaventure. His feast day is celebrated on July 14 in the old rite, and one day later in the new rite.
The saint was a man who possessed rich gifts of intellect and spirit and devoted them entirely to the Kingdom of God. St. Bonaventure was born in Bagnoregio, Italy, around 1221 and died on 15 July 1274 in Lyon (France). This saint was a scribe who shone like the sun (cf. Mt 13:43). Because of his ardent love for the Lord, he was called the “Seraphic Doctor”.