Keep the Devil Away

1/28/2019

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Mark 3:22-30

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Satan is an idiot. But he is a crafty idiot. He honestly thought, thinks, and will think his way is better than God’s way. He just never gets it. That’s the idiot part. At the same time, he’s so crafty. After the Catholic Church who holds the number one spot, the Enemy is the greatest psychologist the world has ever known. He just watches, observes, studies all our strengths and our weaknesses and then he tempts, suggests, offers little things that will take our minds away from the true, the good, and the beautiful. The worst part about it is, he’s done his homework. He knows exactly where our rough spots are, where our weak spots lie, he knows – often times better than we know ourselves – precisely when and where we’re the most vulnerable.

In today’s Gospel those around Jesus thought He was possessed. Of course He wasn’t. They thought He was because He was saying powerful things and working miraculous signs. The great irony here – that’s exactly how you keep demons away.

Peter reminds us that the devil is after us. He wants us. We Catholics are big fish, the white whale, if you will, for the devil. We have to stay sober and alert. How do we keep the devil away? It’s pretty simple.

Pray.

Receive the Sacraments.

Lead a life of grace and goodness.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

Reflect on the last few days, when did the devil try to attack you? How did you react?

Prayer, sacraments and grace, what do you need to increase in your life to keep away the devil?

Next time the devil tempts you, how do you plan to react?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Lord I need you."

"Jesus I trust in you."

"Hail Mary full of grace, punch the devil in the face."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

One of the best ways to prepare for the unknown is to plan. Next time you are tempted by the devil, what will you do? Make a plan now, so you can put it into place later.

Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

Today's prayer was prepared by Fr. Jon Bakkelund, priest of the Diocese of Rockford.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM