Weekly Reflection 9/4/19: Personal Demons;

Yesterday’s Gospel reading has been rolling around in my head for over 24 hours.  I wanted to write about it yesterday morning however, there was too much to filter through at the time and I needed to think more as to not only what Jesus was showing the people of Capernaum at Galilee, but what it means in our daily lives as well.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Gospel yesterday came from Luke 4: 31-37 and spoke about a man at the synagogue who had the spirit of an unclean demon within him.  When the possessed man began to cry out at Jesus, the Lord rebuked him commanding the demon to come out of the man at once.  The people began to ask among themselves in amazement, who this Jesus was that he commands the unclean spirits and they listen. 

Many of us are familiar with the passage as we have read/heard it several times, and many other Jesus miracles alike.  However, I personally have never witnessed an exorcism nor have I seen Jesus in the flesh, so, how do I make this Gospel relevant to my life?  I would like to suggest that this process begins with the idea of the man who had the demon within him.  In the scripture, the demon was described as the “spirit of an unclean demon”.  Now, whether we like to admit it or not, we have all had uncleanliness within us at one point or another.  For relevant reasons, let’s suggest that these “unclean demons” are in our mind manifesting themselves as unclean thoughts.  Perhaps it’s pride or anger.  Maybe the demon is spitefulness or lust.  The demon of our thoughts could be impatience or laziness or gossip all the same.  I believe you are getting the picture.  

Regardless of the many blessings God has given us, sometimes our hearts and minds are gripped by the “demons” that plague humanity.  These demons don’t necessarily reflect who we are as a person however; they play on issues that happen in our lives on a daily basis.  They can occupy our minds with negative thoughts and impulses and it can be difficult to get past them.  The commonality between the demon that Jesus expelled and the demons that enter our minds is that neither can withstand the Truth of God. 

Temptation presents opportunity manifested in free choice; the choice to reject sin.  Each time negative or unclean thoughts enter our minds, we can consciously choose Jesus, first in our hearts, and then in our words and actions which will break us free from that demon.  Don’t believe me?  The next time you want to participate in a conversation of gossip, the next time you want to feed the anger you feel in a certain situation or at a particular person, say a Hail Mary or a Glory Be.  Not only will this exercise give you pause before speaking or acting, it will invoke our Lord to expel the negative aspect from us.  Likewise, this simple choice will leave us with peace, freedom, and the strength to serve God rather than our own interests. 

Mr. Swann/Principal

Our Lady of Mount Carmel