By Sherry Kennedy Brownrigg

“The demons pleaded with him,
“If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.”
And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine,
and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea
where they drowned.” ~ Matthew 8:31-32

After my conversion to Catholicism—and a deeper conversion shortly after—I was on fire for the faith. I devoured everything I could: books, talks, teachings. But without guidance, I sometimes wandered into spiritual rabbit holes that did more harm than good.

One idea I latched onto was that Satan especially targets new converts, trying to derail their relationship with God. While there’s truth in recognizing spiritual warfare, I let fear take over. I became more focused on the devil’s power than on Christ’s victory. Deep down, I believed the lie that Satan was stronger than God.

But Jesus is far more powerful.

Go Then

Now, more than 30 years later, I know better. Scripture, especially passages like today’s Gospel from Matthew, helped open my eyes. In it, two possessed men encounter Jesus—and the demons inside them tremble. With just two words—“Go then”—He casts them out. No fanfare, no struggle. Just divine authority.

That same Jesus is present to us now. As Catholics, we believe He is just as real, just as powerful, as He was on that road in Gadarenes. He still drives out evil. So why does it sometimes feel like evil still has a foothold?

The problem isn’t Him—it’s us.

He Waits for Our Yes

Our choices—whether in serious sins like abortion or adultery, or in more “respectable” ones like pride, gossip, or spiritual laziness—can dull His work in our lives. God never forces His way in. He waits for our yes.

We must stop believing the lie that evil is stronger than grace. Jesus is Lord, and nothing—nothing—is more powerful than His presence.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, when I’m tempted to fear the enemy’s strength, remind me that Your word alone casts out all darkness. Help me to stop believing the lie—and start living in Your victory.

Call to Action:

Take a moment today to reflect on how you live your life. Are there sins that keep God from working in your life? Resolve to root them out with the help of God’s grace and the sacraments.

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