< <  

Friday, October 11, 2002

  > >
Galatians 3:7-14
Psalm 111
Luke 11:15-26

View Readings
Similar Reflections

the problem of homeless demons

"When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it wanders through arid wastes searching for a resting-place." —Luke 11:24

Many demons are homeless because Christians, using their God-given authority, have evicted them from people and neighborhoods where demons had made their homes. One might think that there are many other places for these demons. Yet sometimes demons fail to find a resting-place (Lk 11:24). Then they check their former residences or any other person or place which is "swept and tidied," that is, inhabitable by demons' standards (Lk 11:25).

Would demons consider your life inhabitable or even ideal for occupancy? Would seven demons consider you a prime location? Most Christians admit that they have some things wrong in their lives. Yet they hardly consider themselves so bad that demons would love to dwell in them. Nonetheless, this perception of ourselves may itself be a work of the devil, "the father of lies" (Jn 8:44).

Just as an interior decorator may see an old, ramshackled house as having potential to become beautiful, so the devil may see a somewhat good person as having the potential to become evil. Thus, the devil may try to possess that person or at least harass him. The only way to be safe from potentially severe demonic activity is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of holiness, from Whom all evil spirits flee. Therefore, be holy and uninhabitable for demonic occupation.

Prayer:  Father, may more and more demons become homeless — and stay that way.

Promise:  "This has happened so that through Christ Jesus the blessing bestowed on Abraham might descend on the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, thereby making it possible for us to receive the promised Spirit through faith." —Gal 3:14

Praise:  Dave used to sell drugs. He repented, gave his life to Jesus, and now works full-time printing Catholic publications.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002