“And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there...” – Luke 11:25-26

       After a person goes through a deliverance or exorcism session, he is strongly advised to keep away from the occult practices that allowed the evil one to possess him. He is encouraged to live a life of faith through prayer and devotion to Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary to strengthen him. If he is not filled with the Holy Spirit, then he will be filled with other spirits not of God.

       St. Thomas More said, “Occupy your mind with good thoughts or the enemy will fill them with bad ones. Unoccupied, they cannot be.”

       As long as we live in this world, we will always be caught in the middle of a battle between good and evil. When our thinking aligns with the modern ideas of society like being pro-choice and living-in, then we have succumbed to the devil’s deception of wanting to break free from God by invoking our right to our own body and the right to our own happiness. God’s standard of holiness never changes, no matter how progressive our society may be. New laws may be passed to conform to the changing needs of society but God’s law shall remain the same forever. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

Reflection: “When the devil is called the god of this world, it is not because he made it but because we serve him with our worldliness.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)

Abba, help me to remember always Your immutable laws. Give me the courage to stand up for it even if it means being ridiculed.

St. Francis Borgia, pray for us.

When Paul talks about the “curse of the law,” he is referring to an incorrect understanding of the law that leads to the belief that salvation comes through our own effort to achieve what the law demands of us. Even if we can do that, this is no guarantee of salvation. Salvation is rightly understood as “the gift of God” to those who have faith in Him. It is by faith that we are saved. The law is a guide to the way we should live as men and women of faith.

7 Brothers and sisters: Realize then that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, “Through you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith. 10 For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law.” 11 And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for the one who is righteous by faith will live. 12 But the law does not depend on faith; rather, “the one who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,” 14 that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

There is no place for compromise in our lives as Christians. By this I mean no room for compromise as to the demands of the Gospel. The truths of the moral life are not open to discussion in terms of whether or not they are true. What we have to do is discern how to apply them to our particular situation. People’s circumstances differ so applications may differ, but the fundamental truths remain immutable.

The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.

15 When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25 But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”

think:  The truths of the moral life are not open to discussion in terms of whether they are true or not.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Wisdom 9-12

NAYSAYERS AND HATERS IN OUR MIDST

When Pope Benedict XVI announced he was resigning as Pope early last year, the whole media world and social networks were abuzz with frenzied activity. The usual conspiracy theorists and their machinery for intrigue were in full throttle. What was essentially an introverted and shy octogenarian’s well-thought-of decision, born of careful discernment in prayer and reflection, was given all sorts of explanations. Old media speculations about the “human rights abuses” of the Church kept on being regurgitated.

       The Lord fared no better. When He did some good, the crowd saw the devil’s hand in it. They badgered Him with all sorts of impertinent questions. They’d just seen a sign and still asked for a sign!

       At times, I must confess I feel a little weary trying to fend off the undeserved, but vicious, attacks against the Church coming from all sides, including quite a number from within Her own ranks. Indeed, while we cannot, and do not, deny the power of the good, we also cannot gloss over the power of the evil one, who cannot stand it when good is done, when good triumphs, and when people are brought to the light.

       But since the devil is the father of all lies, the first thing he does is to discredit the truth or shoot down the bearer of the truth.

       We live in interesting times. Pluralism is the run of the day, and the world seems to dignify and adore those who go against timeless doctrines and values. It almost sounds chic and fashionable to bash the Church and Her leaders. Of course, it is small consolation for us to know that the Lord Himself suffered from the same bunch of naysayers and haters. He had His run-in with those who seemed unhappy with what He did and taught.

       The naysayers and haters now take different guises and forms. In many cases, they call themselves Catholics but espouse a different doctrine and follow a different moral code. They fight for popular causes and espouse popular values but, like the proverbial worm, they slowly undermine the foundations of the true faith. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you normally react to criticisms against the Catholic Church? Do you also join the bashers?

Lord, sorry for the times I criticized Your Church and Your ministers. Grant me a compassionate heart to understand that weaknesses exist in all places and people.