["St Francis Meditating on a Skull," Caravaggio, 1606]
I continue to be stunned at the behavior of demons. During an exorcism, they scream and scream and scream but do not leave....until finally forced at the end. For them, an exorcism can best be described as pouring boiling oil over them and lighting it. I am impressed by their ability to withstand pain, no doubt acquired from eons of suffering in hell. But why do they do it?
In fact, as the ancient Rite of Exorcism tells them, "The longer you delay, the deeper your punishment." God, in His justice, will punish them not only for their original disobedience in rejecting Him, but also for each moment they are tormenting a human being. Thus, at the final judgment, their eternal torment will be much worse than the present. They know this, yet they persist.
This is the mystery of evil. The demons threw off the loving freedom of obeying God for the slavish obedience to the most sadistic narcissist of all- Satan. They threw off the joys and peace of God's kingdom for an eternity of torment. At the very beginning, they were given an infused full knowledge of all the ugly ramifications of a rejection of God, yet they persisted. And they still do.*
Each demon is a different being with a different personality. However, as an exorcist, I notice that all are the same in being consumed by rage, hatred and a desire for revenge. This is what unites them. Their every action is meant to deceive and to destroy. But the one who is first and most destroyed by their actions is themselves. Evil is, by its very nature, self-defeating.
While we human beings are not given a complete infused knowledge of the ramifications of our decisions as the angels were, we should be learning by experience. We should be learning that the "wages of sin is death" (Rm 6:23) and that only in God do we find true joy and peace. But like the demons, many humans are likewise locked into a compulsive death spiral. Many humans, by their own choices, are committed to evil and thus committed to their own destruction. This is the mystery of evil.
I feel a great sadness when I contemplate it. I do what I can to announce the Good News, especially on our social media accounts which reach many, especially the young. I pray that the grace of God would touch each of them, especially those inured in evil, and they would turn to the light before it is too late. Please join me in fervently praying for the conversion of souls.
"People must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants." William Penn
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*Catholic Catechism #393- It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes angel’s sin unforgivable. "There is no repentance for angels just as there is no repentance for man after death.”
**Register for our Dec 9th (11am-2pm Eastern USA time) online workshop on "Protecting Self and Family from Evil" with Msgr. Rossetti and Gina, followed by a deliverance session. Partial and full scholarships available at: stmichaelcenter77@gmail.com. Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8382139423552810076
***Are you being called to a deeper prayer life? Order Msgr. Rossetti's book: "When the Lion Roars: A Guide for the Unsuspecting Mystic":
