Father Simone’s Word of the Week

We are called by Christ to be “wise as serpents but harmless as doves.”  We need to be wise to the enemy but not lose ourselves by playing into his game.  Spiritual battle is a reality for all of us, in that we are good and if we are living our faith.  One of the greatest acts of love we can receive from The Lord is deliverance from what the devil is trying to do against us.  Often, I pray this prayer of exorcism the Church has authorized priests to pray over people.  Note: only priests have the authority to directly name or command demons to depart.  Be careful friends.  Anyone by faith has power to call upon Jesus, Mary and the saints in prayer to deliver them from evil.  In this exorcism prayer, the priest orders demons to obey in the Name of Jesus, the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the faith of the saints and the promises made to His Holy Church.  The language used is a steadfast compliment to God and faith in Him in ways demons cannot argue.  Believe that demons believe in God more than most of us humanity.  They must submit when called upon.  We give God more power when we honor Him, as they do not.  When a priest is casting away demons, he calls upon the virtues that they cannot stand and would never imitate: Humility; Obedience; and Praise.  In other words, love God and Christ as His Church.   
 
HUMILITY: We remind him that “God so loved the world that He gave up His Only Son, that all who believe in Him…”  We remind him that the Son of God came down from heaven not to be served, but to serve.  We remind him of the total humility and complete obedience of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Our Mother, who definitively crushes his proud head for us.  OBEDIENCE:  We call upon the confidence the saints showed in their sufferings they accepted, the fidelity of the virgins and the shining obedience of the martyrs.  We recall the redeeming sacrifice of Christ, overcoming their pride, “humbled Himself, becoming obedient even to death, death on a Cross.”  PRAISE: We remind theses fallen angels of the Name above All Names Jesus, who the Cherubim, Seraphim and all of heaven are joyfully submissive as they cry out in praise for all time “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.”  We do this with them at Mass!  How can we thwart the ways of the devil through our humility, obedience and praise?  To allow Jesus to be merciful Lord, the humility we need before Him, we cling to before others.  We strive to remain obedient in our relationship with Him, in other relationships and within the Church.  We praise and trust God for who He is, who we know does not change.  Love God.  “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” (Job)