The explanation of Luke's Gospel on the driving out of demons from the man who was mute is rather complex. Jesus is making the point that Satan has his realm where he is active and strong, but someone stronger than him has come along. Of course, it is the Lord himself who announces the breaking in of the Kingdom of God. This Gospel reminded me of a remarkable story I read by a Harvard Professor and observant Jew, Roy Schoeman.
This is one of the most remarkable witnesses I have ever encountered, and I want to share it with you today. Professor Schoeman writes, "During the spring of 1987, I took a few days off from work and went to Cape Cod to spend time communing with nature. I was walking in the early morning, in the woods just back from the beach, when God intervened, dramatically and distinctly, into my life to pull me back and put me onto the right path. As I was walking, lost in my thoughts, I found myself in the immediate presence of God.
Falling Into Heaven
It is as though I “fell into Heaven.” Everything changed from one moment to the next, but in such a smooth and subtle way that I was not aware of any discontinuity. I felt myself in the immediate presence of God. I was aware of His infinite exaltedness and of His infinite and personal love for me.
I saw my life as though I was looking back on it after death, in His presence, and could see everything that I would be happy about and everything that I would wish I had done differently. I saw that every action I had ever done mattered, for good or for evil. I saw that everything that had ever happened in my life had been perfectly designed for my own good from the infinitely wise and loving hand of God, not only including but especially those things that I, at the time, thought had been the greatest catastrophes.
To read the entire account, please visit catholiceducation.org
There is so much we can unpack for our own ongoing conversions and journeys of faith. However, the most important is to continually turn to Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Lady. We should thank them for touching all of our lives; as well as their ever-loving presence in our lives and even in those who seek to know God but have yet to uncover His name (or what their Lord to be, anything or anyone but Christ)!
- Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
