Analise D Mello MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB

Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do…

Wow I wish I could say that to every time I am tempted to sin or can see the temptation looming to me.

One Sunday as I sat at church as heard the melodious choir and was immersion of prayer with my eyes closed and the fact that I could spend time with the Lord, I felt a nudge on my hands which were folded into prayer like position.. annoyed, I see a lady trying to hop over me to get to the seat next to me on the pew .. and so I lost my chain of prayer and thought for next 10 minutes until I forced myself to refocus on the priest giving a thoughtful homily.

I wish I could be like Jesus and tell myself and my anger .. go away satan and switch back to the normal mode. But alas.. I am only human ..

Often we know the temptation and can easily see the errors in our ways but we still accept the temptation and sin and don’t even regret it. We infact justify it to ourselves and everyone around us and try to move on.

As Jesus contemplates His end and suffering and talks to the disciples about it, like I can see my terminal cancer patients talk, it is heart breaking but it is satan who makes us believe we don’t deserve to die and makes us angry and frustrated with the plan of our life not going as per how we envision it.

As I stand to face the new week I want to build my faith so strong to believe in God’s plan and to stop satan from making me want to complain and grumble about the inconvenience just like when that lady in church interrupted my flow… But embrace them and remind myself that I am here temporarily and need to focus on being a better faithful catholic.

Maybe you can attempt the same too.

AMEN.

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency.

I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke’s Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.