When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’
But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that man is worse than the first.”
I was baptized and attended five years of elementary school at Saint Denis Church, on Cane Run Road. In those days it was several miles out of Louisville, Kentucky. I can distinctly remember looking at the stained-glass image of Saint Denis and trying to figure out what was going on there. He was dressed as a bishop with a crosier, but his head -- with mitre in place! -- was held in his left hand!
Eventually the good sisters would tell us the poor man was executed by decapitation. But rather than go quietly into that good night, the headless cadaver picked up his head and marched several miles into Paris, to an ancient pagan shrine where now stands Notre Dame Cathedral -- preaching every step of the way.
You can bet that was some kind of sermon!
The sisters didn't say believe it or not, but it makes a good story. And if you Google-Images of Saint Denis you will find that every statue, painting, and stained glass window describes him with his head serenely tucked underneath his arm.
Saint Denis was commissioned by the pope as the first bishop of Paris. He is remembered for his courage, and is the patron saint of that storied city.
The Church will always keep before our eyes, sometimes in graphic fashion, the stories of our martyrs. Any movement which begins among the poor and despised will have them; whether it be Christianity or Black Lives Matter.
The earliest Christian martyrs in Rome may have been swept into a movement to rid the city of Jews. But as the gap widened between Jews and Christians, and the latter became a stateless, universal threat to state-sponsored idolatry, we drew the official ire of the government.
I'm sure there were people at the time who accused Christians of being law-breaking malcontents who brought upon themselves their own torment. Saint Paul, in fact, had encouraged his disciples to obey the laws and respect the emperor. Anyone who maintains the peace -- even a worldly peace -- is doing God's work.
But the Gospel, of its nature, generates conflict. Some people hate goodness, love, beauty, and truth. They won't say it in so many words but their attitudes, words, jokes, and actions reveal it. We're seeing this in America with the increasing crudeness and belligerance of many people. Topics that emberrassed our parents are graphically described and imaged on social media. Barbarism is chic.
Jesus warns us in today's gospel. We must continually guard against the unclean spirits of racism, anti-semitism, and anti-Catholicism that we supposed were purged from American society. They have returned and will invite other spirits even more wicked who move in and dwell here, and the last condition of that nation is worse than the first.
Consider Saint Denis's fate and pray that democracy will triumph in November.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.