Reflection on the Gospel May 16, 2016

Reflection May 16, 2016

Mark is recalling an event that made an impression on him that he wants us to hear about and learn from.

When we hear the gospel today, we may think that the boy suffers from what we now call epilepsy because of the symptoms described, and that may be what it was, however, don't be fooled into explaining these stories as ancient folk tales with modern day solutions.

We, in the first world countries, tend to discount the devil as non existent and explain occurrences such as the one in the gospel we hear about today as a medical condition.  Somewhere along the line we got too smart for our own good and stopped being watchful for the devil and the lies he tells.

Here is the connection;  The birth of the church springs from the Word of God and stays with us in the person of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit of the living God dwells with us so it is important to be fed with the sacraments that keep us in God's Grace.  We need a solid prayer life that is filled with fasting to see what the Spirit is showing us.

The apostles are baffled because they tried to drive the demon from the boy and could not do it, so Jesus comes and questions the situation to get to the unseen.  Jesus, John, Peter, and James have just come from praying on the mountain top and that is what Jesus is pointing out as the key to success when the apostles ask why they couldn't expel the demon.

What we encounter on a daily basis is not just what we see, it's what we don't see that the Spirit reveals.

There was very strong instruction that I received before going with the exorcist to his calls; Confession, prayer and fasting days prior to going and don't be afraid.

Fear of a good confession, a lazy prayer life, not fasting, and not attending Mass are sure signs your getting too smart.