The movie
“American Sniper” is the story of Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal and the most lethal
sniper in US history.
Early in the
film, Chris Kyle’s Dad tells him – there are three types of people in the
world:
-
Evil
wolves that threaten the sheep.
-
The
sheep who are good people, but they can be harmed because they don’t understand
about the existence of evil.
-
The
sheepdogs that protect the sheep.
Chris Kyle knew
that evil is for real. He understood himself to be a sheepdog. He is out to
protect the sheep and his fellow soldiers.
Sheepdogs
are not the only ones protecting the sheep! There are also shepherds! Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for the
sheep as well. He also understands that evil is real! But, He wages a different kind of battle
against evil – a spiritual battle – which is even more important!
Man with
unclean spirit enters the synagogue:
unclean spirit: something out of place in the spiritual sense, not in
order, something opposed to the holy.
Cries out “What
have you to do with us?” Plural is
frightening. Trinity = unity Evil = disunity.
Jesus says “Quiet!
Come out of the man!”
What are we
to think of this in our modern world of medicine and psychology?
Can’t this
be explained just as a healing of an illness?
Clearly many times yes, but not always.
I have done
enough spiritual counseling to see the effects of evil in people’s lives. The presence of evil is real and can
sometimes overtake people.
We see evil at
work today:
-
when
young gymnasts are taken advantage of by a trusted doctor
-
when
women come forward to say “Me Too” that men have used their power in evil ways.
-
In
the use of drugs that are supposed to help people that end up taking over their
lives.
-
When
fake news is used to destroy people reputations.
This is all
the work of the evil one!!!
Pope Francis
speaks about the evil one quite often. He says there is no shadow of a doubt –
a battle exists in which the eternal salvation of us all is at stake!
Some
thoughts:
1) “Salus Animarum Suprema Lex” What can
be more important than eternal life or the loss of it? Protect our souls. Stay
away from people or things that can threaten us!
2) King Philip sent a note to John about
his brother, Richard the Lionheart: “Look to yourself. The devil is loose!” Fight against complacency: watch ourselves
and guard our hearts. Make a Daily examination of conscience.
3) Fight against worldliness – living the
way of the world. Live the way God truly wants us to!
4) Fight against hate, anger and
bitterness – all come from the evil one. Never hate but serve others. Pray and
live in joy.
Jesus, the
Good Shepherd has entered the struggle against evil. Never forget this, in the words of Pope
Francis: “God is stronger! God is
stronger!” So, may God give us the grace
to turn away from evil and live only in the Light!!!!
