“Beware of the first stumbling block; if not, more will follow, and finally, the habit will turn into sin. Never taste the sweet poison, even if it is served to you in golden cups, for death is the inevitable consequence” (St. Joseph Calasanz).
Thank you for these words, St. Joseph Calasanz! Nowadays, it is increasingly rare to hear such clear language in the ecclesiastical sphere. Nevertheless, it is helpful, because it alerts people not to be imprudent and pay attention to their spiritual life.
With the help of our heavenly Father, resisting the first temptations is relatively easy, but it is difficult when we have already taken false steps and they have become a habit. How miserable it is when bad habits lead us to sin and gain dominion over us! When this happens, man often finds himself cast down and unable to get up. He can no longer set a good example for others, and in the worst case, he can negatively influence them.
The “sweet poison” confuses our senses and is just as harmful as any other poison; we just don’t notice it as easily.
We should ask our Father to grant us great attention and vigilance toward our spiritual lives, and we should ask the Holy Spirit to always remain with us and warn us. May He penetrate our souls so deeply that the slightest deviation from the straight path serves as a warning! He can help us to identify the potential for deception of the “sweet poison” so that we perceive it already in thoughts and feelings, and even more so in words and gestures.
Poison is still poison and we must be vigilant that it does not deceive us with holy words and by disguising itself in fallacious gold. Let us remember that even the devil can present himself dressed as an angel of light (cf. 2 Cor 11:14). We must reject him immediately!
St. Joseph of Calasanz, pray for us so that we never neglect our vigilance.