Into days Gospel we encounter Jesus preaching and driving out demons.
Not only does Jesus preach and drive out demons but he gives his apostles the same commissioning; they are sent to preach and have authority to cast out demons.
In preaching we bring the light of the Word to the darkness of the world. Preaching the light entails battling the darkness. Pope Benedict reminds us that "In following Jesus, his herald has to exorcise the world thus establishing a new form of life in the Holy Spirit that bring release to those who are possessed."
This description of Jesus' activity and the activity of His followers reminds us that there is "something in the air that wants to make faith seem ludicrous and absurd". There is something that will seek to be resistant to the message of faith and truth and light.
Thus to follow Christ means to enter into the struggle.
In the struggle we hold firm to the truth that the life of faith brings forth the "pure breath of life, the breath of the creator, the breath of the Holy Spirit that gives health to the world".
Many have made new Year's resolutions to exercise and improve their fitness; I wonder how many are resolved to exorcise in order to improve the fitness of the world around them!
By our lived faith we bring forth an exorcism that purifies the world, like filters, bringing an air of freshness that seeks to defeat the stale breath of darkness present among us.
By the power of Christ we shall dart about likes sparks of light bringing hope to the world, bringing freshness that invigorates and revives, this is the life of faith, this is the kingdom of God.
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