The Badger Catholic: Bp. Morlino on Newtown: Every suggestion is being made, as if we can legislate Satan out of existence.

It seems like forever ago that I saw the movie, The Exorcist (and it was forever ago in the sense that it was in the ’70’s) but there was one scene and one line that stuck with me. It was not any of the overblown portrayals of the Devil’s presence, though they did go overboard in that movie in certain instances, and attributed to the Devil certain things that the Devil could not do, just to make it more sensational.

But there was also a lot of wisdom in the movie. The scene that I remember so clearly was when the saintly old exorcist, Father Merrin, arrives at the house where the little girl was possessed by the Devil and the younger priest/psychologist was briefing Father Merrin on the situation of the possession. After much conversation, much study, much reflection, the young priest said to Father Merrin, “there are at least three spirits possessing this little girl.” Father Merrin hadn’t even laid eyes on the little girl yet, and hadn’t talked to anybody, but he said, with great serenity, “No, Father Damien, there is only one.”

This past Sunday was Gaudete Sunday, when the Lord calls us to rejoice. But all morning I was wondering what the priests in Newtown, Conn., were going to say to the people about “rejoicing.” I’m certain there was a temptation to pass over it. There’s no question that on a Sunday when we were called in a particular way to rejoice, a cloud was cast over the United States — a cloud of tragedy and sadness and sorrow in the extreme.

People are looking for all kinds of solutions or explanations to solve or explain this horror. People are coming forward and asking policemen, psychiatrists, news commentators the same question that was asked John the Baptist in this Sunday’s Gospel, “What should we do?” (Jn 3:10) There are all kinds of answers being offered by everyone. There are a lot of legislative solutions — “let’s make some new laws about guns, that will stop the problems,” “let’s turn the elementary school into a fortress with armed guards, that will stop the problems.” Every suggestion is being made, as if we can legislate Satan out of existence.

“What should we do?” the question comes, “How can we explain what happened?” There is only one explanation and the explanation is Satan and evil. And the only one who can expel Satan is Jesus Christ and the power of faith, hope, and love. “What should we do?” was the question posed to John the Baptist. And the answer came back: repent and love, in preparation for Jesus Christ.