This Sunday’s Gospel gives us a clear and definitive reason for frequent confession and for working seriously on a life of virtue.

Our Lord says: “When an evil spirit has gone out of a man it wanders through parched regions seeking a resting-place.” Of course this passage speaks about a spirit leaving a person and then seeking to return to that same person. But notice that it is seeking a place to enter. Our Lord is warning us that we must not give the enemy entrance into our souls.

My friend Fr. Carlos Martins related a story on his podcast The Exorcist Files, in Case #13: Eye of the Holder. He tells about an exorcist friend of his whose assistant was living in an immoral relationship. The man was cheating on his wife and was called to assist at an exorcism. He had intended to go to confession beforehand, but failed to do so. During the exorcism something very unexpected happened — instead of assisting the priest, he himself ended up becoming the one who was possessed.

This is a strong reminder to all of us of today’s Gospel, and of the words of St. Peter in his letter: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8)

Go to confession frequently. You may have sins. You may struggle with addictions. But if you fight, God will fight with you. Develop a serious prayer life. Participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as often as possible. Receive Holy Communion frequently, always in a state of grace. Make a regular Holy Hour before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Have a strong devotion to Our Lady and pray the Rosary.

We have all the tools and weapons necessary for our protection and defense, yet so many people fail to take spiritual warfare seriously. The devil wins in one of two ways: first, if we are lax and do not take our spiritual life seriously; second, when we do things or participate in things that open a door to him and give him some kind of rights.

But we have nothing to fear if we live the life of grace with intensity. If we remain close to God and faithful to the means of grace He has given us, He will surely protect us from the enemy.