The Demon Fell in Adoration

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Dimmed lights, hushed whispers, the rustling of people falling to their knees -
as the forever familiar scent of incense lingers, possibly even dances, through the air.
I was born and raised Catholic. These are my people. This is our thing. It reminds me of a wedding;
everyone waiting to see the expected party - the Bridegroom. Some cry tears of joy, others cry
tears of sorrow and anguish. Laughter can be heard sometimes as the Holy Spirit tickles the very soul of
some who come to watch, to worship. Hands reach out, heads bow, and hearts throb - beating faster
and slower in anxious anticipation of this holy encounter.

I don't usually share moments like this for fear that some people will pack up and head
to the next blog thinking, "this girl and her Catholic cup of tea is for. the. birds."
It's strange, exotic, dripping with mystery and yet my heart says: SHARE.
Share because this memory, that was created this month, has forever impacted my own faith.

The priest was processing down the aisle as the voice of the people beckoned with the
Tantum Ergo. He held the monstrance with the body of Christ in his hands. We as Catholics
believe that John 6 was written in literal language and that by the power of God, the host,
the wine, even as all our senses fail us, truly becomes the body and blood of our Lord
during the consecration at Mass. It's a lot. Deep breaths. Stay with me.

Many people turn to see, to greet the Savior in this mysterious way.
This time I kept my eyes facing forward - savoring the element of surprise.
As the priest passed our aisle, my moment, my Jesus moment, was interrupted...

She fell. She had been facing forward on her knees, but when the Eucharist
passed by her... she literally turned towards Jesus and fell.

I am so accustomed to seeing people slain in the Spirit, a gift of supernatural rest
typically given in situations like this, that I didn't think much of it.

Shrieks, groaning, twitching, and flailing ensued. This girl cried out inaudible words.
People rushed to hold her, hands reached in prayer. My heart was pounding out a
rhythmic swirl of fear and awe. I was worried for her soul, her physical well-being.

Demons are real.
And they FALL in adoration. It was so clear to me in that moment that...

"'BE QUIET!' said Jesus sternly. 'COME OUT OF HIM!'
The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teaching -
and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and THEY OBEY HIM.'
- Mark 1:25-27 NIV

I've done time in Europe - visiting the relics, the remains of Eucharistic miracles.
I've met the chief exorcist for the Vatican and even had him pray with me.
I've laid in a bed, on the outskirts of Rome, and listened to doors slam
over and over and over again as a seemingly demonic presence was disturbed
by the AWESOME presence of Christ that was shared among gathered believers.

But THIS moment. This moment was different for my soul. All the holy stars
lined up for me that night and I went one notch deeper in my belief in the
TRUE PRESENCE of Jesus in the Eucharist.

He seemed to whisper and shout to my heart all at the same time: "I'm here."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This girl, this girl from just two rows ahead of me, did she know?
She couldn't have known that she had opened herself up to Satanic forces
because I don't think she would have come willingly to such an event.
A young man picked her limp body up off the ground and carried her to
the back where a team of people were waiting to pray over her for deliverance.
Can we continue to pray prayers of healing for her?