Fr. Corey Harrison, July 3, 2022 Homily, 14th Sun. Ordinary Time, Year C

I remember a number of times over the years in talking with my dad about matters of the faith - a topic that has come up is the reality of Satan and demonic possessions. This topic of conversation always leaves my dad feeling a bit eery – and he knows why. He remembers watching the movie “The Exorcist” – the original one. And in seeing that movie – he was left terrified of all things demonic. That memory has stayed with him.

And I think that is a very natural reaction among most people – it’s probably a reason that the Exorcist movies are labelled in the “horror” genre of movies. And to be honest, hearing stories such as ones found in this book “The Devil in the City of the Angels” written by Jesse Romero – there are some things that can cause fear about it. In this book, Jesse recounts some encounters he had with the demonic while working in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department. One such story recounts a time he saw a woman crash a religious convention he was attending. This woman weighed 80 pounds or less – but she came in saying all sorts of things to arouse hatred among the Catholics attending. She refused to leave when asked – and even resorted to violence. When they tried to force her out, it took four pretty physically fit men all weighing over 200 pounds to subdue her – she seemed to experience some pretty clear super human strength. Jesse had the people pray the Rosary – while he said some deliverance prayers, etc Again – I see why this story can be scary.

But in reading and praying through this Gospel passage this week – a line stood out to me. It was the reaction of the 72 disciples upon returning from the mission that Jesus sent them on. They said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Now first, I want to back up a little.

Let’s try to imagine ourselves as one of the chosen 72 – and how would we react upon hearing Jesus’ game plan for proclaiming the Gospel….1) I am sending like lambs among wolves. 2) Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals. 3) Greet no one along the way. 4) If a household welcomes you, stay there – eat the food and drink what is offered to you. 5) if the town welcomes you, cure the sick in it, proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and eat what is given to you. 6) If the town does not receive you – go into the streets of the town and proclaim – the dust that sticks to our feet, even that we shake off against you.

Now, I am not sure about you – but if I were hearing those words, I would not think they were much of a pep talk. I mean, that would like be a ball coach going into preparation for the upcoming opponent telling the players – look, the other team is bigger than you, stronger than you, they have better athletes (I am sending you like lambs among wolves). So in preparation, we aren’t going to practice, we won’t develop a game plan to try to curb their best players, and we’re going to go out and just play (take no money, no sack, no sandals). I am pretty sure that would not inspire great confidence among his players to compete well against the opponent.

Yet that is what Jesus is telling his disciples. And yet, we know that the disciples go out to each town Jesus had them visit. We know that they were successful – even if they were maybe at first a little apprehensive. But after they return in amazement at their success – we are given the full game plan – the providence of God. Jesus tells them, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.”

The 72 disciples experienced this power, this authority and this ability to go up against he full force of the enemy – and they were victorious! For they said, “Even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Now to us in this present age. We are called to participate in the Kingdom of God. By our baptism we share in Christ’s threefold offices – as priest, prophet, and king. We are called to pray for others, and offer sacrifices – the quintessential Catholic response to sufferings we have “offer it up” is only possible because Christ shares with us his ministry as priest (it would be a whole other homily to discuss the difference between ministerial and universal priesthood – just know there is a difference and that difference allows for ordained priests to celebrate the sacraments validly and universal priests to participate in them, just not be the primary minister).

We are called to share in Christ reign as King – we are to serve Him, but by doing so bring about an influence among those in our lives to serve Him as well – service out of Love and relational devotion. As we pray in the Our Father – Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

We are called to be prophets – to proclaim the Kingdom of God. And this call – Jesus offers the same guidance he gave to the 72. We are sent out like lambs among wolves. But, when we experience the full force of the enemy – we will not be harmed.

But – we often times are timid and afraid. Much like I said my dad was, much like many times in hearing stories of the possessed – it causes fear in many. Yet, the exorcists I know and those who have assisted in exorcism attest – they do not feel fear in the face of Satan. They experience the confidence, authority, and knowledge of God. They know they are not in control, they know Satan and the demons are not in control – God has the ultimate authority and power.

So, when the Apostles proclaim this a share in this, they are elated, and recognize Jesus’ game plan and prep was to trust in Him. and in that trust – they experienced victory, overwhelming victory.

That is the lesson that we are to have as well….steps to grow in that trust:

Prayer – vocal prayers, memorized prayers (rosary, chaplet, etc) all good, but must also have mental prayer – contemplation and meditation – where we speak to God from our hearts, then sit and listen to his voice in the stillness and quiet of our hearts.

Fasting. Some things can only be overcome by prayer and fasting. Maybe a fast we begin to take up again is fasting from meat every Friday – maybe it’s fasting from social media/news/tv – maybe its something different – but must have the practice of fasting as a spiritual discipline.

May we take these to heart – and really allow the gifts of God to flow through that we rejoice that our names are written in Heaven and be brought to full realization of that phrase – and be welcomed into our heavenly homeland where we shall see God as He is.