In this Sunday’s first reading, God says to Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon could have asked for wealth, long life, power, or victory over his enemies. Instead, he asks for “an understanding heart” so that he might govern well the people God has entrusted to him. Solomon understands that leadership is not primarily about privilege. It is about responsibility. He knows that the people are not his possession; they belong to God. His task is to serve them faithfully, discern what is right, and seek their good.

Over the past several weeks, we have been reflecting on an overlooked aspect of discipleship: Christ gives His followers “power over unclean spirits.” We began by noting that the devil of reality is not always the devil of the movies. He is usually far more subtle. His power is limited because he is a creature, not God’s equal. In the end, much of the power he has over us is the power we surrender to him.

Over the past few weeks, we have reflected on the devil’s ordinary tactics, the four D’s: deception, division, diversion, and discouragement. Deception makes the path toward evil appear attractive, reasonable, harmless, or necessary. Division separates us from God, divides us within ourselves, and turns us against one another. Diversion distracts us from what God is actually asking of us. This week, we turn to the fourth and final tactic: discouragement.

Over the past few weeks, we have been reflecting on an overlooked aspect of discipleship: Christ gives His followers “power over unclean spirits.” We began by noting that the devil of reality is not always the devil of the movies. He is usually far more subtle. His power is limited because he is a creature, not God’s equal. In the end, much of the power he has over us is the power we surrender to him.