How much do we know about spirits?
The Pope addresses the subject of spirits, emphasizing from the beginning that there are many things beyond human knowledge, and that humility requires a person to say, “I do not know” when there is no clear biblical or patristic basis.
He emphasizes that knowledge concerning spirits should be based on the Holy Bible and its sound interpretation, as well as on the teaching of the holy fathers and the Apostolic Tradition.
He warns against the ideas of “spiritual science” entering the religious sphere, especially when they are used to interpret biblical verses in ways that are not based on the faith of the Church.
He explains that the Bible rejects consulting the dead and summoning spirits, placing such practices among the works rejected before God.
Spiritual Message
The discussion focuses on the necessity of discernment and not accepting everything said about spirits merely because it is presented as science or knowledge.
The Pope raises a fundamental problem concerning the summoning of spirits: a person cannot be certain of the identity of the spirit that appears or speaks, because the devil can take different forms and deceive a person.
He also explains that what happened with the demons in the story of Legion and their entering the pigs cannot be considered a rule that applies to human spirits, because the story concerns demons and the event occurred with Christ’s permission.
He also emphasizes that the Bible provides no basis for ideas claiming that human spirits after death enter the bodies of animals, trees, or other things, or that they remain on earth, wander around, and disturb people.
Educational Lesson
The subject teaches the necessity of distinguishing between what the Holy Bible teaches and what is attributed to experiences, stories, or human opinions.
The discussion indicates that the Third-Day Rite should not be interpreted as a prayer to drive out a rebellious or reluctant spirit, because the Church prays on the third day in remembrance of Christ’s Resurrection on the third day, and for the consolation of the family of the departed and the hope of resurrection.
The discussion refers to the spirit of the repentant thief, whom Christ promised Paradise on the same day, explaining that this example does not agree with the idea that the spirit remains around the body for three days.
It also emphasizes that prayer for the departed is connected with the hope of resurrection and the forgiveness of sins, rather than with the idea that the spirit needs a force to compel it to leave.
Practical Spiritual Application
The practical application is for a person to be careful about what he accepts as teaching concerning spirits and not to build his faith on superstitions or stories that are not supported by the Holy Bible and the Church’s Tradition.
One should return to the Holy Bible, the interpretation of the fathers, and the teaching of the Church when facing any unclear spiritual subject.
We should also approach death with the spirit of hope in the resurrection, rather than with fear of spirits wandering around or taking different forms.
The fundamental spiritual lesson is that human knowledge has limits, and acknowledging a lack of knowledge is better than claiming knowledge of matters that God has not revealed.
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