A gospel like this one, and this past Sunday's gospel, get me thinking about the reality of the mystery of evil in our world and our lives. It is sad to see how a person who was probably severely mentally ill was treated in a time well before the understanding of mental illness. It's understandable that uncontrollable forces would be personified. Movements, habits, addictions, prejudices, divisive harsh judgments, really function like evil spirits, which are opposed to the movements of the Holy Spirit, and which wreck havoc with our lives and our interactions with each. We can even speak of the "demons" of our culture: racism, consumerism, nationalism, corporate greed, abortion and human trafficking, to name a few.

It can be wonderfully grace-filled and liberating to do an honest examination of the "demons" that trouble my life and my relationships with others. Some of them are personal. Some are "communal," whereby many of us participate in some activity or movement, contrary to the common good.

In doing this inventory of the moments within myself, I can particularly pay attention to those patterns which are most against the movements of the Holy Spirit. Jesus specifically warns us about two patterns which challenge our discipleship: riches and judgments (a lack of mercy). Riches doesn't mean a certain accumulation of money. It's an attitude. It is letting what I have tempt me to think I am more because I have more. And, regarding a lack of mercy, Jesus couldn't have been clearer, "Don't judge and you won't be judged." (Luke 6:37)

Our self-examination will uncover other "demons." As we do so, we can feel discouraged sometimes. Our desire, however, is to experience joy at the prospect of being and living more freely. The good news this gospel offers us is a trust that Jesus has power over evil spirits. We can turn to him and ask, "Lord, drive out this spirit of impatience with others within me." We can hear Jesus say, "Be free of that wound, and the anger it has caused you. Be free!" As we find ourselves worried about the wars developing around the world, and praying for peace, we can also ask for the grace of an end of the hostilities in our hearts.

Lord, Jesus, I know your heart goes out to me in my struggles. I know you have authority over all the forces of evil. Please purify my heart by driving out the demons that compromise my peace, my joy, my freedom, my ability to love the way you have loved me.