Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” In today’s Gospel reading (Mark 5:1-20), we hear the story of a man that possessed by a demoniac spirit. The demoniac spirit tormented the man to the point that he no longer had control over his life. When he saw Jesus, he ran up to him and said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” The man was possessed with a number of demons. Before Jesus does anything, he asks the demon his name. The demon replies to Jesus, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” Jesus, feeling the torment of the man’s soul, casts the demons out of the man into a herd of swine. The swine, possessed by the demons, run down into the sea and drown. How many times are we plagued with demons in our lives? These demons overpower and oppress us to the point where we feel we have no more control over our lives. We too can cry out to God for help. Jesus demonstrates his power over Satan and his ability defeat these demons. However, we must ask for help.

Lent starts in two days. This is a time for us to identify the demons in our life and to offer them up to Christ as a sacrifice. It is a time for us to remove the demoniac road blocks that prevent us from see Christ. These are things which should become the subject of our fasting. We fast from flesh on Fridays to help focus our prayers during lent. However, we should also fast from those things which prevent us from walking towards Christ. During your examination of conscience, spend some time deciding which demons have inflicted your soul.

A Simple Prayer Lord, my heart longs for you. Free me from the bonds of satan so I can fully enjoy my relationship with you.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon