Seductive voice...

Part of the brilliance of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is its absolutely clear language.

A case in point “…a seductive voice, opposed to God….” [# 391].

The Church is speaking of the devil, satan, the evil one, the father of lies, the discourager, and yes the one who seeks to devour us.

God who is Love as Father gives us His only Son for our redemption and the redeeming Son gives Himself to us as real Bread to eat.

Love gives.

Hate takes.

The media was all a flutter recently about the classes for Exorcists in Rome.

I don’t worry too much about the fluttering media.

Priests who ignore the reality of that seductive voice opposed to God – such priests worry me.

Walking about my neighbourhood today praying the Jesus Prayer and the Rosary I was acutely aware of how much violence, drug abuse, prostitution, etc., etc. takes place on these streets; the immense poverty, homelessness, despair in so many lives.

Sometimes I walk in so-called ‘better’ neighbourhoods, where evil spirits often roam in perhaps not always so blatant a manner as in the inner city, but roam and seduce souls in every income bracket, institution, religious house, rectory  “waging war against ..those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Christ.” [Rv.12:17].

My doctor says I must walk daily for my heath so I walk always praying for the health and salvation of souls, protection of everyone from that seductive voice.

If we priests don’t take the reality of evil spirits seriously it is akin to being one of those hired hands who flee or sleep while the flock is ravished.