With every action, there will be a reaction.
The reaction may enhance the action or it may resist and contort the action.
When Jesus sent His disciples to go out to preach the Good News, He also gave them power to cast out devils.
To preach the Good News and to have to cast out devils are like two sides of the same coin.
It cannot be presumed that the Good News will be welcomed by all who hear it.
There will be people who are instigated by the devil to resist and to destroy the work of proclaiming the Good News.
But to cast out devils does not necessarily mean to have a direct confrontation with the forces or agents of evil.
In the 1st reading, David faced persecution from king Saul although he had done no wrong.
In fact it was king Saul who was possessed by jealousy and anger that blinded him into wanting to kill David.
David had the opportunity to take Saul's life, but he resisted being drawn to return evil with evil.
Rather he returned good for evil and that made Saul realize the evil he was doing.
May we proclaim the Good News with works of kindness and gentleness, compassion and forgiveness.
It is with love that others will be converted and evil be cast out.