There is no doubt, that in any competition, there is no greater delight than winning.
The winner gets the top prize, the winner stands above the rest of the competitors, the winner gets all the attention and also endorsement contracts.
Yes, victory is a sweet taste, and everyone has this inclination to be a winner, because winning is everything.
If that is how we think about earthly victories and winning, then how about spiritual victories.
While earthly victories will only have earthly gains, spiritual victories gain heavenly blessings.
So when we resist temptations, when we refuse to give in to selfishness and greed, when we refuse to give in to pride and anger, we gain a spiritual victory.
But the victory is not so much for ourselves but for the glory of God, because as the 1st reading says: Victory and glory and power to our God.
And when God is glorified, we get a heavenly blessing that will enable us to stand erect and hold our heads high.
Because the greatest victory on earth and in heaven is when we liberated from the bonds of sin and rise in holiness of life.
It is a victory that will give us blessings of joy, on earth as well as in heaven.