Legion

There are some scripture passages that are so active...so dramatic. So many characters. So many actions and words.... A legion of ideas and feelings is generated by the lesson for this coming Sunday...

As I pray with the passage an image comes to mind of battle strategies from centuries ago.... We've all seen at least one of Hollywood's portrayals of the multitude of soldiers approaching their adversaries. First come the heralds...drummers and pipers and standard bearers. Then the rifle men....the mounted brigade...then the cannons...and the generals stay mounted safely at the rear. (Oh, of course, every so often we see the general rush forward and get into the thick of it...like in Braveheart...but usually the officer stayed behind to live and order another day).

Staying with this, I can't help but think of the way I am confronted by "Legion". Although I may be, for the most part, mentally and emotionally sound, I know that there are always drummers and pipers of fear, anxiety and doubt marching around in the landscape of my mind. There are days when they rattle loudly enough to capture my focus...first as an annoyance...but then moving me to distraction.

Thankfully I don't become manic... but truth be told, in that state of mind I may say or do something "crazy". At worst, I may act out defensively ... but at the very least, I become so engaged in my inner "battle" that I am unavailable to God and others.

But then...oh joyful truth! I hear, and respond to the voice that speaks words of power: Peace, Be Still!

Divine, grace-filled Love is the protector and shield of my heart, soul and mind. The guide and comforter rushes forward with gentle words that are more mighty than any of the Legion which threatens me.

We don't need to engage in battle ... look just there over the horizon of your fear... center your focus upon the one who is knows the movements of your "demons" better than you do yourself.

Your battlefield may not disappear... life, after all, is a series of one skirmish after another... but you can be assured forever that Christ goes before you, is at your side...is beneath and within you ... and that Legion has no hope of prevailing in His presence.

If you have a few minutes take a look at this reading of St. Patrick's Breastplate....

Now get on with your day!