Our Lady Sets the Example in Crushing the Enemy

When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in 1531, in the Aztec language, she called herself, “Te Coatlaxopeuh,” meaning “She who crushes the head of the stone serpent.” This looks very similar to the prophecy found in Gen. 3:15, “I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.”

Because of a corruption of the text by the 6^th and 7^th century Jewish scholars known as the Massoretes, most bible translations render that “he” and not “she” will crush the head of the serpent. Fortunately, we find ancient scholars, such as first century Jewish philosopher Philo and first century historian Josephus explain the passage as “she.” St. Jerome’s Hebrew text apparently had the feminine pronoun, too, as the Vulgate is translated as “she.” Not to mention the fact, “she” grammatically fits where as “he” does not. However, the main point I want to focus on is the serpent being crushed.

The serpent is Satan who is our greatest enemy. St. Peter warned, “Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).”

Satan wants to destroy us, but he must be crushed or else he will strike and kill us. Jesus said, “I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven. Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you (Lk 10:18-19).”

We are commanded by God to love, obey, and trust Him. In doing so, we crush the enemy. If we wallow around in this world, the enemy will hurt us. Remember that the spiritual world translates into this world. St. Paul warns, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood: but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. (Eph. 6:12).”

What happens if a rattlesnake is allowed to live freely in your home? Eventually, it will strike and probably kill you. What about 10 rattlesnakes or more? The chance of your survival over a period of time greatly diminishes.

We cannot allow the enemy to thrive. The reason that evil has so much power in this world is because men fear the wrong side. Jesus said, “And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).”

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7).”

Men today do not fear God, but they do fear others. They fear what others might think of them. They fear of being scorned or ridiculed. They ultimately fear of going against the enemy. They would rather empower the enemy if it’s going to be an inconvenience to their way of life. In doing so, they will eventually lose everything.

It’s all or nothing.

“And the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Rom. 16:19-20).”