Evil One

Today’s Gospel Text:  And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; 24 and he cried out, "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." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

Reflection: So many teachers of scripture in our day and if only they knew how to handle the greatest and  real enemy of men, the evil spirits.

It would be still better if the world recognized the presence of evil spirits and knew how they act and work in this world and through living creatures.

Still more better if they knew how it defrauds us of God’s saving message in Christ Jesus and how Jesus is the only savior who can save us from the clutches of the evil one.

One proof of it is that he is the only one who elaborately exposes the working of the evil one and how he acts and what is his job.

Jesus was the only one whom he hated the most knowing that the sinless lamb along with all who would believe him will vanquish him in battle. (cfr. 1 Jn. 5:5) Jesus did the conquering by offering himself as a perfect sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.

The many wars and misunderstandings and the evil that we see around us is all on account of the evil one, with his minions, at work in the hearts and mind of people who have not totally surrendered their will to God in Christ Jesus.

They work in ways to bring about sicknesses pain and diseases, misunderstandings and bitterness, keep us thriving in the darkness, prevent us from knowing the truth about the one true God revealed by Christ Jesus and ultimately defraud us of salvation. 

    

“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph 6:12

Not that these evil spirits trouble only the others but they also trouble the ones who are faithful to Christ but the difference is this: those who are faithful to Christ know of his scheming and even if not, with their faithfulness to Christ they ultimately shall conquer him:

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5

Prayer: “Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.  Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the Lord.  I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast taken heed of my adversities, and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a broad place.” Ps 31:5-8

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