The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Emil Lim SVD – Hong Kong
Friday 1st Week of Lent
An old Cherokee once told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside every person. He said: “My son, the battle is between two wolves. One is Evil — anger, envy, greed, arrogance, lies, resentment, and pride. The other is Good — joy, peace, love, humility, kindness, compassion, and faith.” The grandson asked, “Which wolf wins?” The old man replied: “The one you feed.”
This story captures the daily struggle of the human heart. Entering the Kingdom of Heaven means feeding the “wolf of righteousness” within us — nurturing goodness, mercy, and love through our choices and actions. Jesus himself said in today’s Gospel : “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.”
Scripture reminds us of this inner battle. St. Paul writes: “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). He urges us to live by the Spirit, producing fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
Jesus Himself warns against anger: “Everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment… whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:22). Anger is a vicious wolf that consumes us if we let it.
The wisdom of Christ teaches that revenge never satisfies; it only makes us bitter. A Chinese proverb says: “One who lives in anger and desires revenge should dig two graves — one for the enemy, another for himself.”
Forgiveness, on the other hand, liberates and sanctifies. It is the way of Christ, who prayed from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Feeding the wolf of goodness means choosing reconciliation over resentment, mercy over vengeance, love over hatred.
The battle of the two wolves is real, but the outcome depends on which one we feed. Let us feed the wolf of righteousness, so that our lives reflect Christ’s love.
“Lord, help me to starve the wolf of anger and pride, and to feed the wolf of love, mercy, and faith. May my life bear the fruits of Your Spirit, and may I walk always in Your peace.”
