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As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and
approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them
and scribes arguing with them. Mark 9:14
This line, from the beginning of today’s Gospel, reveals a
transition from an experience of incredible glory to one that is
very sad. On the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before three of
His disciples, and a small glimpse of His divine essence was
revealed to them. The three disciples were overwhelmed with joy and
amazement. But as they came down the mountain, they immediately
encountered an argument between the scribes and the people.
The argument had to do with a man who brought his son to Jesus’
disciples for healing. The boy had been possessed by a mute and
deaf spirit from childhood, and the disciples were unable to cast
the demon out. What’s more, the scribes appear to be critical of
the whole situation, and the father appears to lack faith. Jesus’
response to them all was, “O faithless generation, how long will I
be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
After the boy was brought to Jesus, Jesus did two things for the
boy. First, He commanded the demon to “come out of him.” Second, He
told the demon to “never enter him again.”
Though there is much we can learn from this passage, it’s worth
pondering this twofold command of Jesus. Certainly, to set the boy
free from the possession of this demon was significant and
life-changing. But this act of mercy would have ultimately ended in
tragedy if the demon were to reenter the boy after Jesus left.
Therefore, the second command, forbidding the demon to ever enter
him again, is also an act of great mercy.
One thing this should teach us is that overcoming evil is not
enough. This is because the temptations and oppressions that come
from the legion of fallen angels are continuous and relentless. It
often happens that once a person finds freedom from some diabolical
influence and from some sin, they later fall back into that sin as
they become lax. Therefore, we must always remember that once we
overcome some sin, temptation or oppression, we must perpetually
remain vigilant so that we do not fall back into these evils.
Ongoing vigilance is essential if we are to remain firmly grounded
on the road to virtue and holiness. Reflect, today, upon any
temptation you have endured and overcome, only to later fall into
it again.
Reflect, especially, upon the importance of the vigilance that is
necessary so as to not only refrain from returning to your former
sins but to also move forward in holiness and virtue. The evil one
never relents, but God is even more relentless in His compassion
and grace. Keep moving forward in the spiritual life so that you
never slip and fall back into previous sin.
Most glorious Lord, I turn to You in confidence and beg that You
not only free me from the sins with which I struggle, but that You
also keep me from ever turning back to them once I am free. May I
always move forward toward You and never become lax in my journey
of faith. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Cast out Satan by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND
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