October 31, 2005
If you’ve been lamenting the pagan pageantry of All Saints Eve (Halloween) and the real problem of occult activity around this time, here’s a simple reminder of what we are called to do in response.
PRAYER & FASTING: I recall a priest who noticed that the crowd at his Saturday evening Mass was always rather “dead”, no matter what he did to try to liven it up with better music, preaching, etc… Then he started praying and fasting against any evil spirits that were oppressing his congregation at that Mass. Within a couple of weeks he noticed a dramatic change in their attentiveness and participation. Our Lord mentions in the parable of the sower that the first obstacle to overcome is the birds (Satan and his foul (fowl?) companions) who come and snatch the seed away. It is a simple matter of calling upon Jesus, invoking His Holy Name and His Precious Blood to protect us and others from any evil interference.
PRACTICE HUMILITY: There is a story from the desert fathers about the hermit Marcarius to whom the devil appeared, trying to cut him in half with a sickle. The devil couldn’t harm him though and spoke to Marcarius saying: “You bother me to no end Marcarius. You fast and I never eat. You keep vigil and I never sleep. But there is something you have that I don’t.” “What is that?” Marcarius asked in surprise. “Humility” the demon responded and then he vanished. Since the devil doesn’t have humility he doesn’t know how to fight against it. This is one of the reasons he is powerless against Our Lady as well.
It is good to keep in mind that our battle against evil is not a matter of the right words, as if it were a kind of Christian “magic” in response. Remember how Simon Magnus in the Acts of the Apostles had that misconception of the Apostles. Conversion of heart is the key, which includes an ever greater confidence in the Lord’s saving power and His desire that all of His children be saved and enjoy eternal life with Him.
Let us pray with particular fervor today that the Lord Jesus would “lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
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