["Christ the good shepherd," Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1660]
In the beginning of an exorcism process, demons present themselves as fearless and powerful. They will taunt and deride any who oppose them. They claim to be in command and will never leave. But it is a thin and weak facade.
Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the well-known Roman exorcist, famously said, "The devil is afraid of me." It is true...
After almost two years of exorcisms in a difficult case, only Lucifer and his retinue was left. At the end of a two hour session, I said to the Team, in earshot of Lucifer, "I have the rest of the evening free. Why don't we just keep praying all night?" A look of utter terror came over Lucifer and his demons. It was palpable. He was completely terrified.
Courage is the strength and conviction to overcome one's fears and do what is right, potentially at great personal cost. Lucifer and his minions have none. They are cowards and their only concern is for themselves. They are the hired hand in Scripture who flees when the wolf appears (Jn 10:12).
There are many everyday signs of courage all around us. For example, I am impressed with many young people on-fire with the faith who live with integrity, despite being subject to peer ridicule. This is courage. I am impressed with those who are demonically afflicted, subject to constant taunts and threats from demons, yet they persevere in prayer, faith and coming to exorcism sessions. This is true courage.
I am impressed with single mothers who spend their lives sacrificing and working two and three jobs to make a better life for their children. This is courage. There are many men and women in the workplace who, like St. Joseph, live upright lives and refuse to give into temptations of evil and greed. This is courage.
The ultimate sign of courage is Jesus, the good shepherd, who suffered and died for us. It is from Jesus that we gain our confidence and our strength. In Him, we are made strong:
"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!"
Ps 31:24
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+See blog: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-159-demons-are-terrified on demons and their terror.
++See Msgr. Rossetti's video on "Casting Out Demons of Technology." Over 75K have already done so on YOUTUBE or social media!
+++Our next free monthly deliverance session is Monday March 3. Rosary at: 6:30pm Eastern USA time and Deliverance Session 7-8pm. Register for March on our website or go here. (Once you've registered and received a link, there is no need to register again.) Join us in prayer!
++++Msgr. Rossetti will lead an online Lenten deliverance retreat from 11am to 2pm EST Saturday, April 12th. He will give talks on healing, spiritual warfare, answer questions, and pray deliverance and healing prayers over all present. Register here or go to our website.
+++++Find us on YouTube: @stmichaelcenter
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