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Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia and convert to Christianity, often wrote about the devil. After his conversion from atheism, a curious friend asked if Lewis believed in the devil, “hoofs and horns and all." I am sure his friend was shocked to think a brilliant Oxford scholar could swallow this cosmic falderal hook, line, and sinker. After first reading the Gospels, Lewis was struck with the frequency the devil appears. He answered his friend, that yes, indeed, he believed the devil existed.

In today’s Gospel, Mark wastes no time introducing Satan, who first tempts Christ in the desert, and then writes of His shocking confrontation with a demoniac. The demon immediately recognizes Jesus saying,

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

Picture the next scene. Jesus casts out the demon, who emits blood-curdling shrieks. The poor possessed man convulses, possibly with writhing body and foaming mouth. A crowd witnesses the exorcism, and they stand in amazement, questioning the miracle.

“What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Mark’s Gospel is packed with action. Over and over, Jesus performs miracles and exorcisms, all written to show Christ’s identity as the Son of God.

Lewis wrote that we live in enemy-occupied territory, that a dark power instigates death, disease, and sin. Jesus is the King, God in the disguise of a man. We are all thrust in an epic spiritual battle. St. Mark wrote of it, not as a war from centuries ago, but as a battlefield in the here and now.

 

Ponder:


What do I believe about the devil and his power in this world?

 

Pray:

 

Oh Lord, I humbly beg that my guardian angel protect me from the evil one. Guard my loved ones under the gaze of St. Joseph, terror of demons.


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We are all thrust in an epic spiritual battle. St. Mark wrote of it, not as a war from centuries ago, but as a battlefield in the here and now. #dailygospel

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Copyright 2022 Kathryn Swegart