Monday 10/29/2018 – A week of facing our fears …

When I was young, this is how I used to fight off my fears: I would lay in bed, my imagination running wild with every hoot of an owl, every bump in the closet, every creak of those old wooden floors of our second story on Main Street.

I would picture all the monsters just waiting for me to close my eyes so they could creep into my bedroom, crawl into my bed and scare me to death.

So each night I would wrap myself tight in my blanket, close my eyes and make a deal with God. I’d say, Lord, I am going to count to 100 and that will ensure that all those monsters will stay away thanks to your protection.

I’m pretty sure a Rosary or a few Acts of Contrition might have done a better job. But hey, I was just a kid with an overactive imagination. I had a flare for the dramatics. (Still do).

And it worked. My little routine protected me each night.

As I grew, I gradually stopped the counting and my fear of my childhood monsters – for the record, that would include Dracula, the Wolfman and Frankenstein – slowly went away.

And then I hit the age of 9 and my father took my brother and I to see a movie, The Exorcist, and suddenly my fears were right back in my head. Only this time, they were not fears of Hollywood monsters. Instead, the fear was of demons who possess little kids … and, I was certain, would try to possess my soul, or that of my brother.

I don’t think I slept for 6 weeks after that movie. Every night I waited for my bed to start jumping up and down. Or for my windows to suddenly fly open. I was terrified. (Still am).

But there was good news. Now, instead of wrapping my head in a blanket and counting to 100, I really did pray.

Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s, Apostle’s Creeds, St. Michael’s prayer … I did it all.

Once again, time helped ease the fears … but not entirely.

As I became more aware of our Catholic faith, I began to understand that there really are demonic forces to fear in our lives. The devil is real. His demons are real. Possession is real. We still have official exorcists in the Church and they do keep busy.

But at the same time, my soul learned to rest in the comfort of knowing that Jesus has won the war against death and evil. While we still face many battles as individuals and societies, we know that we have won the big war and there truly is no reason to fear.

As we enter into a week that includes Halloween, followed by All Saints Day and All Souls Day, it’s natural to think of the spiritual world that exists in our lives. The good spirits who intercede for us and helps us in our darkest moments; the bad spirits who try to deceive us and lie to us at every step, hoping we will turn out backs on God.

In today’s Gospel, we read of a woman who is freed of 18 years of bondage by the healing touch of Christ.

Let us pray that we find the strength and perseverance to endure our battles, our bondage.

And we pray that we will have the desire and the will to humbly ask God for his help – whether we are tucked safely under our blankets or stepping out into a cold and scary world.

About the Author

Dan McFeely is a Carmel, Indiana, writer, communications business owner, book editor and a former professional journalist. Dan also works as an Adult Faith Formation Minister, currently serving as a spiritual director for the men's and women's Christ Renews His Parish program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Carmel. He is a graduate of the Ecclesial Lay Ministry program offered by the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana and has studied theology at Marian University.

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6 Comments

  1. You Really Touched My Life Because Not Quite Long Ago I Realised The Disadvantages Of Fear. I Pray To God To Help Us

  2. Thank you Dan. Wrap up tight. With the blanket of Gods love and the light of Jesus there is no fear. The power of prayer rules.

  3. Thank you. I experience all the same monsters, and believe I have the scars to prove it. Our Lord in his merciful love has delivered me of all my fears. Jesus I trust in you.
    .

  4. Your reflection made me smile Dan. I too was a scaredy cat as a child. I spent most of my childhood tucked safely between my parents every night! Like you, as an adult I prayed away my fears. Then one night I was no longer afraid believing that God was watching over me and nothing could harm me. However, I make sure I never watch scary movies before bed!

    The story of the woman crippled for 18 years says Jesus healed her – interestingly, she didn’t ask to be healed. I couldn’t help wondering if she was crippled since birth and at 18 years of age was used to walking that way. Jesus knows what we need before we ask Him. He will give us what we need even before we ask.

    Once she was healed the woman “stood up straight” This image reminded me that when I put my trust in God, He enters my life, casting out the night terrors, and other daily troubles. I am able to walk with a new confidence and dignity, living freely in His grace – just for today.

    God bless

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