Angelus: “Never negotiate with Satan, ask Jesus to free you from his chains”

Charlotta Smedes – Vatican City

“Satan wants to possess us in order to ‘bind our souls.’ We have to be careful.”

Commenting on the Gospel of Mark on how Jesus freed someone possessed by an “evil spirit,” Pope Francis urged in his angelic prayer on Sunday to be vigilant so that the heart does not end up in the prison of the evil one. It is helpful to be aware of the different ways the evil one works to deceive us into losing our freedom.

Abuse and dependence

Pope Francis calls the “chains” by name and gives a brief list of them:

“I think of addictions that enslave, create constant dissatisfaction, and devour energy, possessions, and affection. I think of mainstream fashion, which pushes towards impossible perfection, consumerism and hedonism, which objectifies people and destroys their relationships.

Fear, fanaticism and the worship of power

Pope Francis warned that a spiral of evil can seize the heart. The Pope highlights the methods:

“There are temptations and circumstances that undermine self-respect, peace, and the ability to choose and love life; There are fears that make us look at the future with pessimism, and fanaticism that always blames others. There is the worship of power that creates conflict and the resort to weapons that kill or use economic injustice and manipulation of thought.

Jesus never negotiates with Satan

The true liberator from the power of evil is Jesus. The Pope said: “Never negotiate with Satan.” The Pope urged everyone to be vigilant, and may Jesus heal us and help us keep the evil one away. The more fear suffocates us, the more we need to trust in the Lord.