Demons

Years ago I lived in Boston but often traveled to work here in Rosslyn.

My room at the Marriott Key Bridge hotel had a small reading lamp.

At night I could sit reading in the otherwise dark room.

Looking out across the river.

Staring at the very scene where the story I was reading took place.

An old Georgetown house atop the steep hill and steps leading down to M Street.

The book was The Exorcist.

In that book, and the later movie, the demons were very real.

But in real life we don’t seem to give much thought to demons.

Many people don’t believe in demons anymore.

In Jesus’ day, the people had no doubt that there were demons.

Evil spirits.

Unclean spirits that could enter into a person.

The wild, the insane, those subject to violent, thrashing fits.

Those who had lost control of their minds or bodies.

Sometimes even those who couldn’t see or hear or speak.

Such people were seen as possessed by demons.

We don’t often hear demonic possession as a diagnosis or explanation today.

Although, we sometimes hear it associated with addictions or emotional problems.

People might say they’re trying to deal with their demons.

Maybe many who say that are just speaking figuratively.

Not really intending to delve into the spiritual realm.

But, even so, their statement shows that the idea is still familiar to us.

Familiar enough that it remains a common expression in our language.

How ever we might understand or characterize an affliction –

A disease, a disorder, a demon, a powerful evil spirit, or just a weak human spirit.

There’s Good News about it in our Gospel today.

We see we can turn to Jesus for help in dealing with any demon or affliction.
We know who he is---the Holy One of God---God Himself.
And we know we can call on his amazing power and authority .

Tuesday 22nd Week Ordinary Time

Lk 4:31-37     Read this Scripture @usccb.org