thoughts on the news of the day: is it real?

hmmm…..

            A two day conference is being held in Baltimore for Roman Catholic priests.  What is unusual about this meeting is the fact that it is a training session for exorcism.  This is the ritual of combating the presence of evil spirits by a series of prayers and actions.  This “renewed focus on exorcism highlights the divine element of the church and underscores the belief that evil is real.”  A spokesman for the Vatican said that “some Catholics who ask for an exorcism are really seeking, prayerful support. They're asking for formation in the faith." Exorcism is an uncomfortable topic, even for Catholics.  We think of it as a superstitious magical rite that borders on the occult. 

            Do you believe that evil is real?  Do you believe in its power to destroy what is good?  I have experienced the spirit of evil first hand.  It came in the form of a group of people who were determined to destroy a good and effective ministry in a church in Texas.  For no really good reason, evil forced itself into a situation and the result was devastation. 

            You may have experienced evil in your life.  Certainly you have pondered the events taking place in our world and questioned the presence of a spiritual force that loves to destroy.  We wonder why it exists and how to defeat it.  There are no easy answers to the problem of evil, but faith in a force for Good that overcomes evil is an excellent place to start.  That’s where I am today.

            hmmm…..