“It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven.” (1 Maccabees 3:19)
In the militant Church, we are indeed a small flock that must defend itself against the attacks and assaults of evil. Is this a reason to give up? No, because the above verse from the Book of Maccabees is preceded by the following: “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.”
The crucial thing is that we trust in the Lord in everything and know that He will always come to our aid in battle—both in our personal struggles and in those of the small flock. This also applies to the great battle of the militant Church in an increasingly hostile environment—even if it were to face armies of demons.
If we internalize this scripture, we will not succumb to hopelessness or discouragement.[1]
The report of the royal chamberlain Jean d’Aulon about an experience with Joan of Arc may encourage us and strengthen our faith.
“The French were unable to capture a fortress due to the resistance of the English and therefore withdrew. However, Joan of Arc remained at the scene of the battle with a small band of men. Concerned, Jean rode up to her and asked her why she did not retreat. He reported: She took her helmet from her head and said to me, ‘I am not alone. I still have fifty thousand men in my retinue.’ And I assure you,” said the steward, “that at that moment she had no more than five or six men with her.”
It was the angels who accompanied the saint! We too will never be alone in all our battles!
[1] We dealt with the subject of discouragement the day before yesterday in the Father’s Reflection (on 1/15/26).