Mark 1:23-26
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

Each of us is no doubt plagued with an “unclean spirit” of some sort. As St. Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” We all struggle with a “thorn in our sides” so to speak that we just can’t seem to get rid of. Notice how Jesus does not criticize or scold the man afflicted by the so-called “unclean spirit.” Jesus does not distance Himself from him. Instead, Jesus gladly restores the man to wholeness. God will surely use whatever affliction we have…to bring us to completion in ways that are beyond us. In the Catholic Easter Vigil, “sin” is called a “happy fault.” It is the place where we can’t save ourselves and only God can! Bring your affliction to Jesus without fear. Experience the compassion of God. Then go forth and be that compassion for someone else.

Suggested song of the day– “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album.
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Remember…God loves you!