The readings for mass today talk about an angel and a demon. Jacob wrestled with an angel of God and Jesus healed a man possessed by a demon. Why do so many people believe in angels but balk at accounts of demonic possession? Perhaps it is because angels are beautiful and convey God’s love and assistance. No one wants to think about the reality of hell or that demons are also real and among us. Evil is not pleasant to think about but the angels certainly are.
However, the angel in the first reading today completely dispels the angel stereotype. Jacob wrestled with this angel most of the night and then he had the audacity to hit him and actually hurt him by dislodging his hip socket. Why on earth would Jacob then ask this being “to bless him” after he dislodged his hip socket? This demonstrates Jacob’s holiness in the eyes of God because the angel gave him a new name “Israel”, after Jacob asked for his blessing. There is no doubt this would not have happened if Jacob had become angry at the angel or treated him harshly, because he hit him and hurt him.
There is a lesson in this if we think about it. So many examples of Christ, the holy people in the bible and the saints show us that the path to holiness is to react contrary to our natural instincts. We counter our natural feelings and tendencies in order to bring love more fully into the world instead of our own negativity and selfishness.
The Pharisees in today’s gospel still didn’t understand what true holiness is like. And they were the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people! Jesus performed absolutely beautiful miracles out of love for other people and he did this right in front of the Pharisees. And yet, the Pharisees claimed that Jesus drove the demon out of the man possessed by a demon in today’s gospel, by the prince of demons. This is blasphemy, to attribute the workings of the Holy Spirit to a demon, yet this was the very same crime they eventually put Jesus to death for.
Is it any wonder Jesus looked with compassion on the crowds of people? They had no one who loved them and would lead them in the paths of true holiness. Love, not rules, judgement or self righteous behavior is the true path to holiness.
We are so lucky to have many holy priests, bishops and Pope Francis to lead us in the true paths of love. Do we regularly pray for them by name? Not just at mass but in our personal prayers as well? And do we also encourage good, holy, single men to consider the priesthood? If we have someone who comes to mind, it would be good thing to actually tell them so. A few words from us might nudge someone along that God has a calling to the priesthood. Sometimes a very small thing, like a few words of encouragement is all that is needed to make a difference in their lives, but also the life of the church.
