Homily: Janaury 10, 2026, Saturday after Epiphany

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 The one begotten by God He protects, and the Evil One cannot touch him.

Through our baptism, each one of us was claimed by God. We were called by name, welcomed into the Church, and sealed with the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From that moment on, we belong to God.

Because of this, the Evil One has no power over a baptized Christian. He cannot simply take control of us. He can tempt, distract, confuse, and deceive, but he cannot touch us unless we freely give him permission.

In my 9 years of priesthood, I have been asked only a few times to assist with cases related to exorcism. In each situation, careful discernment was required. Most cases involved mental health struggles or minor disturbances, not true possession. The Church is always very cautious. An exorcist asks many questions, not only to understand what is happening, but also to see how a door may have been opened.

Very often, when something serious is involved, there has been a violation of the First Commandment placing something or someone above God. This can include dabbling in practices that promise power, control, or hidden knowledge: fortune-telling, occult practices, witchcraft, Ouija boards, or similar things. These are not harmless curiosities; they are invitations.

The truth is simple: we belong to God. Satan has no rightful claim over us. But God respects our freedom. If we choose to turn away from Him, if we knowingly invite darkness into our lives, God allows us to experience the consequences of that choice.

Today, there are many subtle distractions that pull hearts away from God, often without us realizing it. Music, words, symbols, entertainment, and ideologies can slowly numb our faith or make evil appear harmless or attractive. The devil rarely comes in obvious ways. As the saying goes, he does not appear with horns and a red cape; he appears as something desirable, something we think we want.

That is why vigilance matters, not fear, but wisdom.

Let us pray today especially for our children and our youth:

that they may be protected, that they may be prudent in their choices, that they may listen to voices that lead them closer to Christ, not farther away.

May we remain rooted in prayer, the sacraments, and the Word of God, trusting always in this promise: the one begotten by God is protected.

Amen.


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