see how they come out!” And news about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding area.

Reflections

“Possessed by an evil spirit.”The desire for power and to ac- cumulate possession, consumerist attitude  and  destructive  beha- vior,  chronic  frustration,  hatred and unforgiveness, hopelessness and defeatism, poor self-image, fear,  jealousy,  indifference,  and the like—all these are a concrete manifestation  of  an  evil  power that has gotten hold of the human person. They control, manipulate, oppress, mislead, and stunt the individual.  They  are  damaging, and  their  effects  lasting.  They stifle personal growth and well- being. Jesus’ program of actions is precisely aimed at conquering the evil power that pulls one into these predicaments, and at the same time intended at liberating the human person from their grip. What can help break free from their grip? It is the love of God, made visible in Jesus, that flows through in life; and the convic- tion  that  his  grace  is  sufficient for us and that his power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). “The love of Jesus Christ... conquers sin and gives [us] the strength to rise and begin again (Pope Francis). It frees us from sin. We may add: the love and tender- ness, the concern and care, and the generosity and understan- ding, we experience with others are helpful to be freed from sin and its effects. And we can call them experiences of hope.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019