["Casting out Satan," Carl Bloch, 1834-1890]
Some time ago, I was speaking with a young woman and I was encouraging her to go to Church. She said, "Why? I am a good person." She added that she was confident she would go to heaven because she was good.
In an exorcism, it is very clear that we humans have no intrinsic power to cast out demons. They do not respond to reason, appeals to kindness, or any other positive motive. Only a power greater than Satan can force him out.
An essential and iconic part of every exorcism is the priest holding up a crucifix and saying, "Ecce crucem Domini. Fugite partes adversae" (Behold the cross of the Lord; depart you evil powers.) I typically add, "Satan, look at the sign of your defeat!" When forced to look at the cross in a well-known exorcism, the demons responded, "I cannot bear it. Oh, this is torture! It is unbearable!"*
What the young woman does not realize is that the power to rescue us from Satan's clutches only comes through Jesus. He alone can save us (Acts 4:12). In the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest similarly holds up a crucifix and prays, "I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross." Satan's hold over us is smashed on the cross and this salvation is present to us in baptism and the sacraments. Jesus' power to save comes through his Church. As he said to his disciples: "Whoever listens to you, listens to me" (Lk 10:16).
Don't believe it? Attend an exorcism and watch what happens to the devil when the power of Christ in the Church is invoked. In an exorcism last week, I commanded the demons to answer the question: "Did she receive Jesus in the Eucharist this morning? Can you feel the presence of Christ in her?" Cover your ears because the demons will start to scream!
If you face the demons on your own, you will be quickly vanquished. No exorcist would think of going one-on-one with the Evil One. No, we are clothed with Christ and wield the power and authority given to his Church.
Being "good" is not good enough to defeat Satan. You need Jesus.
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*"Begone Satan: A Soul Stirring Account of an Exorcism in Earling, Iowa in 1928," (Kindle version, p.21)
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