（路4:31-37）
雖然我們已經領洗，把以往一切的原罪本罪，一筆勾銷。可惜幾十年來我們的內心已積累了不小惡習惡念，非一朝一夕可以揮去。這些心魔不一定是「七罪宗」所描述的傲慢或嫉妒，憤怒或懶惰，貪婪或貪饕或淫念，這些罪惡邊緣的行為，或多或少都是環境因素所觸發。但是，每個人都有不同的心魔，例如報復、自尊心或權力慾，潛伏在心靈中更深層次的位置，在不同的環境因素觸發下，以不用的形態表露出來，以至連當事人也未必意識到自己已被這心魔所操控。
例如，有些人無論對自己、對別人和對天主都缺乏信心。對自己缺乏信心，以至所做的事，多數是為了吸引別人的注意，証明自己的能力，但遇上困難時，卻選擇逃避而不去面對；對人缺乏信心，經常說一些消極的話，否定別人的貢獻，拒絕採納別人的意見，事事要親力親為，但為別人定下不合理的標準，對別人懷有不合理的期望；對天主缺乏信心，覺得一切的不如意事都是天主的懲罰，天主是不會放過任何過錯的…
這些人沒有特別的外表，一點也不像附魔，他們祗不過是「際遇的產物」。憑個人的自由意志和朋友的鼓勵，我們不一定能克服這些心魔。所以領洗後我們依然會失足跌倒。尤有甚者，做教友的也會附魔。可幸我們所信靠的天主子耶穌基督，祂有充份的權威能為我們驅魔。
主耶穌，請驅逐潛藏在我們心底的心魔，解放我們，使我們或自由地崇拜祢，讚美祢。亞孟。
JESUS EXORCIZES OUR HEARTS
Although we have received baptism which has cleansed us of our Original Sin and Actual Sins, unfortunately we have accumulated many venial bad habits and thoughts throughout these years. They cannot be shaken off overnight. These ‘demons’ may not be pride or jealousy, anger or sloth, greed or gluttony or lust. These marginally sinful behaviours are more or less triggered by circumstantial factors. But each one of us is obsessed by different ‘demons’, such as vengeance, pride or power. They are hidden in deeper level of our hearts. Triggered by different situational factors, they emerge in different forms so that we even do not know that we are controlled by these ‘demons’.
For example, some people lack confidence in themselves, in others and in God. When they lack self-confidence, most of the things they do would be attention seeking to prove that they are capable. However, when difficulties arise, they choose to evade and not to confront. When they don’t have confidence in others, most of the time, they speak negative words, deny others’ contribution and refuse to listen to the others. They prefer taking things in their own hands. They set up unreasonable criteria for other, impose unreasonable expectations on others. When they lack faith in God, they see frustrations as God’s punishment and God will not spare a single fault ...
These people do not have an extraordinary look. They do not seem to be possessed. They are merely “products of circumstances”. With personal will power and encouragement from friends, they may not be able to overcome these ‘demons’. That is why we still commit sin after baptism. Even worst, some baptized people may be possessed. Fortunately, we trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He has full authority to chase away our demons.
Lord Jesus, exorcize the demons hidden deep in our hearts. Liberate us so that we may worship you, praise you more freely. Amen.
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