Posted on 10/05/2013 6:09:48 PM PDT by matthewrobertolson
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7
On Wednesday, spurred by advance notice of that night's topic on Think Tank – a weekly vlog hosted by Wilson Orihuela on Vericast – I finally found time to watch The Exorcist, the famous film from 1973.
The movie revolves around an irreligious, divorced woman and her daughter, who becomes possessed by a demon. The mother looks to science and medicine, but finds no true answer. Eventually, like the woman in Mark 7:25, the mother “whose little daughter had an unclean spirit” seeks the assistance of Christ, and two priests perform an exorcism.
As I have seen The Rite several times, I anticipated that I would be pretty prepared for any sights of demonic activity, regardless of intensity. I was wrong.
The Lord's name was blasphemed many times, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was desecrated, a crucifix was used by the possessed to injure herself, and so on. I presumed that much of this would happen, but for some reason, the way in which it was presented made it especially disturbing. I actually crossed myself with holy water twice over the course of the movie.
Expectedly, Wilson's take on the movie was passionate and thoughtful. He has mentioned before that this film single-handedly perked his interest in the Faith and led him to return to the Church.
This is why the exorcism genre is special. When handled properly, it provides a powerful insight into one of Christianity's most mysterious and misunderstood rituals, and it leads to an increased affinity and appreciation for the holy priesthood.
The novel that The Exorcist is based on was written by William Peter Blatty, a devout Catholic who even supports a canon law petition against the “Catholic” Georgetown University. I think that he, too, understands the spiritual need for this genre.
Priests do so much for the Church: they handle petty disputes, say Mass almost every day, lend us general direction, and sometimes sit in confessionals for hours, just waiting for someone to show up. They live out Matthew 10:8 – “Freely you received, freely give.”
Proper movies of the exorcism genre highlight the sacrificial attitude that is inherent to and codified in the heart of the priesthood – and that inevitably leads more souls to the Church. For this, we can be grateful to the typically hostile Hollywood.
My favorite part of The Exorcist was at the end, when the formerly-possessed girl spotted a priest, recognized what two other priests had done for her in her time of great need, and appreciatively hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Let us take our cue from her, and love our priests.
(All verses are from the NASB translation.)
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The book was just as disturbing to me. I had a friend at Georgetown. He KNEW the priest involved. The man was very old and frail at that time. My friend said in effect he had never been so upset or afraid as when he briefly discussed this with the priest. The priest rarely talked about it but he liked my friend. As far as I am concerned there is evil out there and Satan is alive and well.
I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m planning on doing so. That’s an interesting story, though. I, too, am convinced of Satan’s existence.
What’s the famous phrase? “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing people that he doesn’t exist”?
I remember watching the exorcist when it was aired on TV back in the seventies. I was in the fifth grade at the time and watched it with my older brother. I had no idea what I was getting into and was too scared to get up and leave the room while watching. Many nightmares to follow. I have probably posted this story on FR multiple times over the years, but no movie has ever messed me up like that. Jaws was a joke compared to the exorcist.
I watched it when I was little and again recently as an adult. It still disturbed me. Priests must have a strong faith in Christ and a deep love for their fellow man to effectively train for and do these things. I could never. No way. Too scary. I don’t even like to thing about these things.
Began in Maryland and led to the University of St Louis. One of the rooms is still locked to this day.
If the pope is possessed by demons, who does the
Exorcism?
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Two of the actors from the HBO miniseries John Adams, appear in it: Laura Linney (Abigail Adams) and Tom Wilkerson (Ben Franklin).
It’s Late but I wanted to type but I will try to post an event I had with unseen forces.
1 John 4
On Denying the Incarnation
4 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. “
Now a true example of 1John4 in action.
I have told this true experience before but this should never be taken lightly. My friends wife is into tarot reading. On the way to helping him move from an upstate rental house she was playing with the tarot cards. I prayed before hand about going because I knew of her “ new age” practices. While she was in the back of the car she decides to read me. My eyes are turned up. I declare do not read me. Please! She decides no I am already doing it. Well! I plead the blood of Christ over her. “ I cover the Blood of Christ to make it null and void. “ I did it loud but firm.
As I am doing this a car is out of control from the ramp on the Ny state Thruway coming right towards us. It goes on the grass then comes speeding toward us. I am calm because of my prayers that morning. The Holy Spirit has me boldly speaking the blood of Christ over the car. It straightens out into the lane finally after swerving.
My friend’s wife is also into spellcasting. So later under the Holy Spirit ‘s leading I had to confront her at the house.
He thought it was harmless until I told him she can not repeat the Apostle’s Creed. I challenged her and she could not repeat it. She could not say the long form nicene creed or just directly that Jesus as God became man(1 john4). She says there are many Gods like from an unseen force. She had contortions. It was not her.
He flipped his wig. I gave him a Blessed exorcism St Benedict Medal cloth(Which has an exorcism prayer on it). She falls down when he takes it out of his wallet. I am not kidding. We are definitely leading and racing to the end.
Just remember we are in some weird unholy times. Pray more and more for others and guidance. Beware. Do deep beautiful heart felt contrition prayers before you even step out the door. I really believe I would of been dead on the Ny state thruway without God’s daily Guidance.
They have since demolished that hospital.
See my recent post. The room was at the old Alexian Bros hospital downtown which has since been demolished. I was able to see it before they tore it down though. I believe it was on the 3rd floor.
There are quite a few books about this incident as well. Just FYI, I have been a student of this event for many many years.
Thank you for these interesting comments, you all! May God bless and protect us all!
Don’t be scared of the devil nor intimidated by him. If you belong to Christ, you are His child, and He is infinitely stronger than the one the Father cast out.
Amen!
Amen.
Thank-you and God Bless.
God bless you, Biggirl
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