Entering Jericho, Jesus passed through the city. Jesus
was just passing through. What were his
plans? The crowds were building,
following him. Zacchaeus was trying to see what
Jesus was like but being small of stature, was unable to do so because of the
crowd. He risked Jesus staying his course and coming
his way. He ran some distance ahead in
Jesus’ projected direction and climbed a tall tree. When Jesus came to the spot, he looked up
and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, I mean to stay at your house today.” He quickly descended and welcomed him with
delight. When this was observed,
everyone began to murmur. Jesus stopped intentionally to be
seen and heard not only for Zacchaeus, but for everyone who might indict, who
might desire to know healing, who might be lost, who might not know demons and
for those who did. Zacchaeus stood his ground
…. The Son of Man has come to search out
and save what was lost.
Luke 19:1,3,5-7,8,10
We all have our demons.
They bring intense pain, loss.
They attempt to smother who we are.
Many can bring a lifetime of struggle and challenge, appearing
monumental to overcome. To us, personally,
most are masked addictions; drugs, alcohol, gaming, guns, pornography, envy,
rage, idolatry, egocentrism, resentment, deceit, greed, power. However, to those who know us, our friends, spouses, children, they can recognize, unveil our demons.
The demons recognize them and fear them as they did/do Jesus. The demons retreat, surrender.
Jesus does
not say much about demons. They remain
vague. He drives them out. Jesus is all about restoration, peace, love
and dignity. He generously demonstrates and gives healing, light, mercy, joy.
He identifies. He models for us. He invites, expects us to follow him and do
the same in his name.
C
we sit in a booth. pizza
lies like shattered glass on the table between us
i remember …
8 years ago
ms. C told me “f’n science is stupid”
today she tells me …
“my demons are hiding, waiting to
come out”
obsession, paranoia, blindness
emerge
scars like cryptic dominoes pock her palms and wrists
tiny pools
of water collect in the dimples failing to wash away the pain
pain?
i was
10. what’s love look like?
father … angry
his daughter takes a cigarette from countertop
mother
… watches while smoking, father brands his anger
do other
kids get lovin’ this way?
ms. C’s given birth to 2 babies with 1 man in 5 years
the 2nd child died days after she was born
she thought
he loved her; he thought she loved him
at the fork, each wandered along
different paths
depression, a parasite on loss, bore deeply into C’s soul
she drank
bourbon. shot heroin. drank more bourbon. shot more heroin
more demons came. she did not recognize them. they entered
a friend
she barely knew by name o.d.’d and wrapped herself from life
aliens in uniform stole her precious child
where is her daughter and do her guardians smoke?
friends lie, turn on her
big man behind high bench sends her to a cage for 2 years
gates open, C’s free to go.
she fears demons hidden within
auto license revoked for 11 months
attempt to deceive failed. drug test failed
metrolink pass takes her everywhere & nowhere
the closest
bus drops her off 1.5 hours before her work begins at 3 pm
it does not
run at 11 pm. 3 connections later bring
her home at 1:30 am
everyone knows her as bad; addictions, depression define
her,
but that “is not who I am”
C speaks truth
upon her
words i focus
they’re whispers
of the Holy Spirit … HOPE
HOPE
the demons are coming out
they have
been seen
they know
ms. C has joined Zacchaeus in standing her ground.
*C’s
initial has been changed to protect her privacy
Help others who battle constantly.
Take a supper date with your daughter or son.
Have a beer with a friend, break bread together and talk.
Run or walk a 5k.
Join a discussion at PX-90.
Pray, listen, read in our adoration chapel.
Family, friend time on the deck, in the park, in the
neighborhood.
Immerse in a CRHP weekend.
Take a walk in the woods with your spouse.
Put yourself in the Mass.
Join a service organization.
Take your family on an outing where connecting with one
another is of greater value than the venue.
Live the sacraments grand and small.
What demon-breakers come to your mind?
How might God be calling you to act?
These are mere samples of God’s fruits, the gifts Jesus came
to give, the gifts we are asked to give freely.
Demons hate these.
They become exposed. They tremble.
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