“Driving Out Demons” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)

“Driving Out Demons” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)

First Wednesday of Ordinary Time

“Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:18)

 “He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose, have I come.’ So, he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” (Mark 1:38-39)

Piety

Lord, thank you for sharing Your Son in blood and flesh “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). You have freed me from the slavery of the fear of death. Help me as I slay my own demons, just as Jesus did for the faithful “throughout the whole of Galilee.”

Study

What are your demons? Perhaps an examination of the seven deadly sins will help you identify them: pride, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth. Or perhaps the demon is what is masked by the sin—fear that masquerades as pride, for example, or self-doubt that proclaims itself as anger or lust.

It’s a frustrating thing, fighting demons. Sometimes when you think you’ve gotten them under control in one place—controlling a proclivity to gossip at work, for example—a fresh one pops up—perhaps in the envy of a neighbor’s new car. We can be especially vulnerable to pride as we congratulate ourselves or making headway in other areas.

As you struggle, sometimes winning, relearning lessons at other times, know that Jesus understands. “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:18) Jesus spent forty days in the desert wrestling with Satan and emerged victoriously. With his help, we can do the same.

Action

Today, do one thing that shows God you’re learning to drive out your demons. Live without the midmorning candy bar if gluttony is your demon. Clean a closet if sloth is your sin. Be mindful before speaking if anger is your burden. Write down how you felt after emerging victorious—and keep your record of that good feeling with you.

Editor’s Note:

In this space on Wednesday, you would usually find a reflection by Colleen O’Sullivan.  While Colleen takes a week for respite, I am reprinting the very first reflection by Mel Rigney which ran on this liturgical date in 2007.

Your Daily Tripod always welcomes new contributors to our web journal.  When Mel joined our “staff,” she was from St. Charles Borromeo, Arlington, VA, and had recently attended the 123rd Women’s Cursillo at the St. Joseph Seminary. On this 12^th anniversary of her first reflection, she gifts us with her first (of many) reflections.

Colleen joined a few years later recruited by Jack Finnerty from the front row of the Joyful Noise choir at St. Mary of Sorrows.  Our “editorial staff” continues to grow with people who offer regular or periodic contributions. Would you like to join? We would love to share your thoughts and reflections with the rest of the Cursillo community. Perhaps you might want to pick one day during Lent to try it. De Colores!

The Lighthouse Keeper