The Spiritual Battle
Feast day: November 1
Flip the card and scan the QR code on the back to open it in the app
A great sign in the sky: the Woman clothed with the sun, and Saint Michael defeats the dragon (Rv 12)
What does this Bible passage tell?
In chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation, Saint John tells of two signs in the sky. The first is “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rv 12:1). The second is “a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.” (Rv 12:3).
The story
The dragon stood in front of the woman, who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as it was born. But she gave birth to a son, and “Her child was caught up to God and his throne.” (Rv 12:5). As for the woman, God prepared a place for her in the desert (cf. Rv 12:6).
Then war broke out in heaven: “Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.” (Rv 12:7). The dragon was not strong enough to win and was thrown down to earth. Scripture tells us that it is “the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan” (Rv 12:9).
On the card, these scenes that follow one another are gathered into one picture, as many Catholic paintings do: the Mother, holding the Child, stands on the moon, while Saint Michael the Archangel drives his spear down at the dragon as it falls into a dark cloud.
What does it mean?
The Church understands the Woman as God’s People, made up of Israel and the Church, and also sees in her an image of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The son is Jesus. The dragon is the devil, the enemy of God and of humanity. The battle between good and evil still goes on in the world and in every heart, but the victory already belongs to Christ. Whoever stays with the Lord does not need to fear the devil, because the Lord is stronger than he is.
A lesson for you
- When you are tempted to lie, to envy or hate others, or to be lazy about praying, remember: you are not fighting alone.
- Whenever you are afraid or tempted, pray a Hail Mary and run to Our Lady.
- You can ask Saint Michael and your guardian angel to protect you every day.
Identifying marks
- The Woman standing on the moon, crowned with twelve stars, with the sun shining behind her: just like the sign Saint John saw in the sky (cf. Rv 12:1); the Church sees in her God’s People, the Church, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
- The Child in his Mother’s arms: the son the dragon wanted to devour is Jesus; God keeps him safe, and the dragon cannot stop his work of salvation (cf. Rv 12:4-5).
- Saint Michael the Archangel with wings, armor and a spear: the leader of the angels, who fights the dragon and defeats it (cf. Rv 12:7-8).
- The red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each head, falling down: the devil, “the ancient serpent” (Rv 12:9), thrown out of heaven; evil looks frightening, but it has already lost.
- One side bright, the other side dark (an illustrative detail): God’s light is stronger than any darkness.
Prayer
Spiritual battle, but never alone
- The life of faith is a spiritual battle. Young people are called to guard their dignity and faith.
- We do not fight alone. We have the protection of the angels and the intercession of Mary.
Persevere in the battle for truth.
Prayer
Saint Michael, protect us in our daily spiritual battle.
The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.
Compiled by i-Catholic · About