Michael casts out rebel angels. Illustration by Gustave Doré for John Milton's Paradise Lost.
Jason woke up with four long, ugly looking, 18" gouges on his back. It looked like a beast had raked its claws down his back. In fact, that's exactly what happened.
The demons' attacks against him have intensified. He is aggressively assaulted and abused. At night, and even during the day, his bed shakes violently when he lies on it. Jason is terrified. Friends freak out when they see it.
In our latest session, Jason said his eyes were burning when he looked at the crucifix. He cried, "My eyes are on fire!" Several times, he was choked to the point of passing out. He relayed to me that the demons were demanding that I take off my stole. This, too, is causing much suffering. Of course, I refuse.
Jason's mother is distraught. She complains, "The situation is getting worse. The demons are getting stronger!" And Jason, because of the physical possession, feels much of the demon's pain. He is suffering greatly.
The demons themselves are suffering intensely and are actually getting weaker. The stole, the crucifix and other sacramentals are torturing them. The Rite of Exorcism is loosening their grip and they are fighting back like a dying animal. Like a mortally wounded beast, they are thrashing and lashing out.
It cuts to the heart to see Jason suffer so much. I wish there was an easier way, and I tell him so. These are dark moments, that pushes Jason and his family to the limit. I trust that God will not allow the demons to push them beyond what they can stand.
I encourage them to pray, "Jesus I trust in you." It is my prayer as well.