Possessed

Today’s Gospel Text: And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30 Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matt 8:28-34

Reflection: So called modern scholars, compelled to interpret everything in scripture rationally, say that these situation of demonic influences could be considered psychiatric problems and treated accordingly. 

Keeping with the diagnosis, according will be the treatment of the disease with psychotropic drugs, sedatives and hypnotics.   Sometimes the patient is given a shock treatment, with sustainable electric charges.  Many a times the condition of the person is no better than a zombie.

On the other extreme and in the past and now rarely in some village situation, the person could be beaten up and ill treated. In some cultures, they could be worshipped as a manifestation of some divinity or used for soothsaying.   

Coming to demonic influences, not all cases manifest the same way as revealed in the Gospel text of today.  A person may seem absolutely normal and may show no external signs of such manifestation.  Occasionally, the person could be referred to medical practitioners for treatment for either or all of these conditions; stomach ache, headache, weakness, giddiness, psychiatric conditions, undiagnosed  pain or disease, etc.

Yet there could be some who may never manifest and yet could have sold one’s soul over to the Devil in various degrees and ways. These manifest extreme pride, hatred and anger, rarely, occasionally or often. 

Sometimes, our addictions to certain vices, compulsive disorders, or odd habits are a result of such demonic influences, either as oppressions, possessions or manifestations. Some could flow down through generations.   

Treatment to achieve palliative relief could include either psychotherapy, counselling, psychotropic drugs, meditative practices or other so called spiritual techniques.  These have their limitations and some are forbidden to us Christians. In some religious groups demonic manifestation could be an acceptable norm and hence has an acceptable religious sanction.  

The Catholic Church offers us the divine grace and deliverance through the sacraments and sacramental’s, against these powers of evil, but unfortunately, the minster who dispenses it, renders it ineffectual in severe case by his lack of belief.  

Those who approach these sacraments in faith and make use of the sacramental's have much to gain from, especially in milder forms of attack.

Prayer:  “Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God…… Deliverance belongs to the Lord; thy blessing be upon thy people! Ps 3:7a-8

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