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This is from the cover of 'Spiritual Combat Revisited' by Jonathan Robinson.
“This indeed is the hardest of all struggles: for while we strive against self, self is striving against us, and therefore is the victory here most glorious and precious in the sight of God.”
From Lorenzo Scupoli, 'The Spiritual Combat'
Nothing new here. It’s been all said before. Apostles repeat the truth: this is a world of spiritual combat.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
First published in 1589, The Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli has become a great spiritual classic of Catholic thought. To become one spirit with God, says Scupoli, one must recognize the true and perfect spiritual life. That is, the recognition of the four battles of spiritual combat: distrust of self, trust of God, spiritual exercises, and prayer.
1. Distrust of Self
Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“
Scupoli exhorts that though we strive toward perfection to love and serve the Lord, though we seek the goodness and greatness of God, we must also acknowledge our own nothingness. Mortification of our selves then becomes our goal, eliminating our appetites and desires in order to prepare ourselves for the battle. We must annihilate our will in all things in order to win the battle. Only the brave warriors in Christ will receive the crown, no distractions.
2. Trust in God
But self distrust is not enough to win our battles, but rather a perfect trust in God. This is not only maintaining a confidence in God but we are required to call to mind Holy Scripture, so as never to be confused. So recognition of our own weakness must precede the recognition of God’s omnipotence. Both together are necessary to precede all actions. By being distrustful of self and confident in God, by detesting one’s own faults and passions, an individual will continue resolutely depending on God, not self.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
3. Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual exercises involves the focus upon Him and Him crucified. The focus upon God requires being free from other affections, from unnecessary curiosity. Way back when, in the year 1589 Scupoli noted that in our struggles even the news of the world should be rejected and driven from us. Tell that to CNN and Fox, etc. As it is throughout scripture, the Book of Ecclesiastes originally tells us it is all vanity and entertainment. In the end it is to know, love and serve the Lord, fear God and keep his commandments for the world will pass us by and only God’s judgement will prevail.
Scupoli warns us that the most dangerous inhibitor toward focusing on God is the obstinence of pride. He continues that the prideful will not submit to other opinions and judgments no matter its worthiness. Tell that to the world’s politicians. To counteract, become the fool for the love of God and we shall be wiser than Solomon. Exercising ourselves to please God alone becomes more plain and easy by practice. Exercise toward the victory over self and toward more confidence in God. For the Catholic Church it is those anchors of attending mass, the Holy Eucharist, Cross of Christ, confession and the Holy Rosary which summons all exercise in focusing on God.
Finally, it is exercising the call upon the Holy Spirit to light our paths, to face all problems, to attain our goals. The spirit of truth and fear of the Lord brings us the wisdom needed for battle. The Holy Spirit helps us in our personal weakness, interceding for us and aiding in our focus, love of God.
4. Prayer
Prayer is the instrument for the obtaining of graces flowing down from the source of all love and goodness. It is through prayer that God will fight and conquer for us. Prayer includes the praise of God, the earnest desire to serve God, the confidence that God will supply all that is needed for His service, the continued commitment to remain steadfast and joyful in submitting to His Divine Providence. This is for us to elevate our hearts and minds to the Lord and meditate on some feature of his life. And aside from prayer and taking of the Holy Eucharist at mass, it is the Blessed Virgin and all the saints whose torments for the love of Him will aid us in our spiritual battle, in our focus and for our spiritual and temporal necessities. The Rosary is key in focusing on the life of Christ.
This is but a brief summary of Scupoli’s treatise on spiritual warfare. An in depth account of his classic will bring further understanding in the role of the above anchors of Christianity and Catholicism in particular. It will illuminate the sufferings of Jesus and what that suffering did for our own souls. Consquently, it will illuminate what we should do for Jesus.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Sources:
Baglino, Michael J. The Dr. B. Reader on the Ologies: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology. New York: LT Publishers. 2023.
Robinson, Jonathan. Spiritual Combat Revisited. San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2003.
Scupoli, Dom Lorenzo. Combattimento Spirituale. Milan: Edizione Paolini. 1992.
Dr. Michael J. Baglino, Ed. D. is a retired college professor, most recently an adjunct prof. in behavioral science at Palm Beach State College, Florida. He is a graduate of both Winona State University, MN and Florida International University, Miami. Michael is also a retired entertainer [singer/actor], performing primarily as a Frank Sinatra tribute artist under the name ‘Michael Matone’. A parishioner of St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church in Wellington, FL, Michael serves as a lector, EM, and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He is a professional member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists. The Baglino family, wife, children and grandchildren all live in South Florida.
He is the author of 5 books, most notably ‘From Gramsci to Freud’ and ‘The Dr. B. Reader on the Ologies’. In his books, Dr. Baglino presents a series of articles and vignettes on religion, psychology, politics and culture. He shows us that God is with us in our daily lives interweaving trials, travels, and decisions with Catholicism. Definitely not without humor, Michael presents a down to earth and Catholic perspective to so many of our contemporary issues. See www.michaelbaglino.com/speaker.
