"(Lent) is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with  pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism." (Pope Benedict XVI)

Our spiritual combat is against the Prince of this world, the Devil. From the beginning of his public ministry, the Devil tried to get Jesus to turn away from the mission the Father had given him. Jesus was called to be the Savior of the world, saving us from the eternal death of alienation from God.

The same is true with us. The Devil tries to distract us from the mission God has given us this Lent. "Will you turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel." The Devil does not want us to turn away from sin (and thus turn away from him). The Devil does not want us to draw closer to God, sharing his life in a deeper way. But through prayer, listening and acting on the word of God and doing penance, we will be strengthening ourselves for this "spiritual combat."