Conquering Ai

No fixed feast day in the calendar

After defeat due to sin, Israel repents and conquers Ai through obedience to God.

Purging Sin to Win the City of Ai

After the victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered a defeat at the city of Ai. The cause was that Achan had taken forbidden items that God commanded to be destroyed. After purging the sin from the community, Joshua received new instructions from the Lord. This time, Joshua used a strategy: he placed an ambush behind the city, while he led the main force to lure the army of Ai out. When the soldiers of Ai pursued them, the ambush force entered and set the city on fire. Caught in a pincer movement, the army of Ai was completely defeated. The victory at Ai taught Israel that the holiness of the community is a condition for God to grant victory.

Prayer

Repentance Opens the Path to Restoration

Personal sin affects the whole community. The defeat at Ai shows that one person’s sin can harm all of God’s people.
God asks for a pure heart. He does not abandon His people, but He calls for purity of heart.
Repentance is the path to restoration. Sincere repentance and keeping God's law restore our relationship with Him.

Sin is a barrier that separates us from grace, but repentance opens the path to victory.

Prayer

Lord, cleanse my heart from hidden sins, so that I may always be worthy to stand in Your holy community. Amen.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.