Phil’s Notes & Tidbits
“Unclean Spirits”
Several years ago, word leaked to the press that Cardinal Francis George of Chicago had appointed a new exorcist for the Archdiocese. Did you know that every diocese has an exorcist? At the Chicago press conference the reporters wanted details of why the Cardinal had taken this step. His response was simple and right to the point, “There was a need.”
Today’s Gospel reading from Mark shows Jesus casting out an unclean spirit (demon). It’s worth asking, do we still deal with demons today?
Yes, unfortunately, at least as long as we reside in this “vale of tears” on our journey toward Heaven. The Catechism spells this out citing the 2nd Vatican Council’s Gaudium et Spes, “The whole of man’s history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day.” (CCC # 409). St. Paul acknowledges this in his admonition about the battle against evil found in Ephesians 6:10-17 with special emphasis on v. 16: “In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one.”
The diabolical—that which is of the devil comes from the Greek word– “diabolos” defined as “slanderer.” Another way of viewing it is through the lens of division. The devil always seeks to divide, to bring confusion, to sow disorder—ultimately to divide a soul from the love of God. Note with interest that the first thing God does in Creation is to bring order, “the earth was a formless wasteland and darkness covered the abyss…and God said, ‘Let there be light.’” (Gen. 1:2-3). The devil in turn seeks to undo and reverse that order.
I am regularly struck by the accounts of those who meet with me and are seeking to grow in their faith. For many it is an account of seeking “order” out of the chaos that their life has become. At a recent RCIA session, the participants spent some time reflecting on how their lives are changing as they grow closer to Christ and His Church. “Order” and “Peace” were two of the sentiments commonly expressed. And you know what comes from that order and peace? Joy. St. Paul spells out the opposite of the diabolical with the Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5:22-24 “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
We say the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the end of every Rosary. Indeed, some parishes still say it at the end of every Mass. We pray that God may “be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…and thrust into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.” And of course, always keep in mind, as the Gospel of Mark demonstrates, Jesus always wins!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
Director of Catechesis & Evangelization