Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

"Praying the rosary with Mary is a memorial – making present in our own time an event in salvation history. By mediating on the mysteries of the Rosary, Mary brings that event to us, so we can experience its power and grace.   Mary draws us to her Son.   Use your imagination. Meditate on the mysteries.   It will help you grow in your relationship with Jesus.   We are with Him and with Mary in these events."   (Father George P. Schommer, O.P.)

We marvel at the physical miracles, big and small, that Jesus performed during His time here on earth – for example raising Lazarus from the dead and healing St. Peter’s mother-in-law of her fever. And well we should. But what we often overlook is the frequency with which Jesus spoke to and expelled demons – as is mentioned in today’s Gospel. Isn’t it foolish to think that there is less demonic presence in our current times then when Jesus walked this earth? The reality of Satan and the never ending spiritual battle to which we are subjected during our earthly lives are two topics rarely discussed or considered these days. Too few among us recognize that we are engaged in spiritual combat with the unseen demons roaming the world in search of our souls. This is not, according to Father George P. Schommer, O.P., a good thing: “The devil is real.   We fail to recognize the reality of his existence and power and therefore we often fall prey to his many tricks.  ...