Fire Exit

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

-Mark 1: 27

“The devil is not more triumphant in demonic possessions

but in smaller temptations which we will give into.”

-Fr. Val, OP

There was one time during breakfast that we were discussing with our Director about exorcism and demonic possessions. There were further elaborations and explanations which enlightened us but one quote did strike me when our Director said: “The devil is not more triumphant in demonic possessions but in smaller temptations which we will give into.” And I find that true. There is a joke I heard before, “Hindi lahat ng taong nagmumura ay masama; hindi rin naman kasi lahat ng nagdarasal ay mabubuti. (Not everyone who speaks bad words is evil, because not everyone who prays is good).” Just like the ladies who spread gossips about the little Juan dela Cruz and Fr. Cito in the tele-serye “My Little Juan”. They “serve” the Church yet they project that kind of attitude.

I have been fond of watching movies about exorcisms especially when the priests gifted with the faculty of expelling demons triumph in the end. These impure spirits are rebuked and banished to hell in the name of Jesus not of us which means our prayers are very powerful in discerning what is good. Whenever we enter an establishment, a mall for example, we may see a FIRE EXIT (silly to say that there is such thing as a FIRE ENTRANCE). Of course, when there’s fire in the mall, you know where to go. I have weaknesses as a human being but whenever temptations get stronger, I always remind myself to keep on praying. In that way, God provides an exit where He is ready to embrace me and say, “My friend, you made it! You did it!” We all have guardian angels but again, devils are fallen angels. Now, to whom are we listening to?

As Christians, we may be facing lots of temptations but no temptation is more powerful than prayer. And when our hearts triumph in following the will of God, now that is the real exorcism.

It’s a new year to start!