Wednesday 30 June

Genesis 21:5, 8-20; Ps 34; Matthew 8:28-34

Good and evil

There is considerable evil in the world, but people are sceptical about the existence of evil forces. Evil beings are portrayed using naïve or comical images and names which make belief in them appear preposterous. But literature is full of stories about the struggle between good and evil that are more subtle and thought-provoking. Well-known psychiatrist M Scott Peck defined evil as the force residing either inside or outside of human beings that seeks to kill life or liveliness. Jesus has the power to free people from evil influences. Free me from anything that kills my liveliness.