I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions

5 OCTOBER (Lk 10,17-24)

Snakes and scorpions are symbols of evil and its hidden, secret, sudden and immediate power. The wicked are prey to them. They can nothing against the righteous, who are under the powerful custody and defense of their God and Lord.

His blessing overflows like the Nile; like the Euphrates it enriches the surface of the earth. Again, his wrath expels the nations and turns fertile land into a salt marsh. For the virtuous his paths are level, to the haughty they are steep; Good things for the good he provided from the beginning, but for the wicked good things and bad. Chief of all needs for human life are water and fire, iron and salt, The heart of the wheat, milk and honey, the blood of the grape, and oil, and cloth; For the good all these are good, but for the wicked they turn out evil. There are storm winds created to punish, which in their fury can dislodge mountains; When destruction must be, they hurl all their force and appease the anger of their Maker. In his treasury also, kept for the proper time, are fire and hail, famine, disease, Ravenous beasts, scorpions, vipers, and the avenging sword to exterminate the wicked; In doing his bidding they rejoice, in their assignments they disobey not his command (Sir 39,22-31).

One alone might overcome evil: God. He overcomes it through Christ Jesus. This truth is sung, celebrated and glorified by the Letter to the Hebrews.

Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away. For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard. God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the holy Spirit according to his will. For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified somewhere: “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, subjecting all things under his feet.” In “subjecting” all things (to him), he left nothing not “subject to him.” Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”; and again: “I will put my trust in him”; and again: “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested (Heb 2,1-18).
It is utmost folly thinking of treading on serpents and scorpions without wearing Christ Jesus. He is our only protection. Never might one strip himself of him.

The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

However, the real joy of the disciple is one: Living forever with Jesus in Heaven.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints obtain for us this joy.