The devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking souls to devour says St Peter..But most people no longer seem to be afraid of the devil. The saints didn’t think this way. Look at Padre Pio or Cure of Ars.

When people say they are not afraid of the devil it became they have never seen him. It is like someone saying I am not afraid of a lion, having only seen a picture of the devil,

3 books Milton Paradise Lost. Famous line ‘better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven’

Milton shows the devil as powerful but still defeated. He shows the devil as also alone in Hell.

Gorthe book Faustus shows the devil as a friend of man. He took his view of the devil from Milton but the devil is one who gives man a gifts of nature such as wisdom. Ultimately devil shows his true colors by bringing death but still devil is a friend of man.

Now the devil is made a carton figure. I forget the name of the movie.. but for now writing the idea. Devil gives us what God refuses to give. The devil is not seen as scary but with red pants, pick fork he is made a cartoon figure.. rarely is the devil seen as scary but as a cartoon figure and as a friend of man..

These 3 images.. two great novel, the last one a movie shows a progression of what we think of the devil.. this is his strategy because he still is a lion seeking the destruction of souls.. and the people who fear him are the saints because it is holiness that brings out the devil not sinners or lukewarmness.

If we are not afraid of the devil that probably says more about us and our degree of holiness and not the devil..

Just a though for lent..