A man possessed by a demon asked Jesus, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?" (Mark 1:24).

Reflecting on this encounter, we are reminded of how habitual sinful behavior takes us captive and begins to control us. Even those of who are otherwise "good people" can have our weaknesses exploited by our old adversary, the devil. We call such weakness "concupiscence" - a chink in our armor where, unguarded, sin can enter and take root if we let it.

Habitual sin can bring us to a point of not wanting to have anything to do with Jesus of Nazareth. We would rather be left alone in our sin. We do not want to be challenged, we seek loopholes to rationalize and begin to regard the good teachings of the Church as mere opinions.

Rooted in our sin, we begin to identify ourselves with it and believe that we need it or cannot live without it. At this point, sin brings fear. When friends, loved ones, or our Church confront us with the truth, our souls, knowing how painful letting go will be, respond in fear, "Have you come to destroy us?"

The Church, however, is our Mother, our greatest ally, and only seeks to destroy our sin through the healing power of Christ, who created her. In the Church we have the power to be truly free to reach our divine potential, moving beyond sin and fear to love and holiness.

The good news is that we are never alone. The Church is a hospital for sinners filled with every remedy you need for sin. We call these remedies Sacraments, by which we are healed and become ministers to one another. Together, let us courageously leave our sin and live according to the teachings of Christ and His Church welcoming all who need to know the love and freedom only Christ can offer.