Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; First Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28
In the Gospel passage for this Sunday, Jesus is in the synagogue at Capernaum and openly confronts evil, casting out an unclean spirit dwelling in a man. There were onlookers there as well who witnessed the dramatic event and were in awe over the change brought about by Jesus’ action on behalf of the possessed man. By the power behind his words: “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” Jesus overcame the evil spirit and restored the man to health and freedom from bondage.
The actual event recounted in Mark 1:21-28 could be seen as an isolated historical moment in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, who encounters a man possessed by an unclean spirit and cures him. Clearly the evangelist Saint Mark intends us to glean something more than “a day in the life of Jesus,” though.
The casting out of demons and other healings by Jesus which we find recounted throughout the Gospel narratives were understood in the early Church, and thus included in the Gospel accounts, as profound manifestations of Who Jesus was and is—no less than God’s only-begotten Son—and a proclamation of the universal saving mission of Jesus Christ for the benefit of the entire human race.
The cure recounted in this Sunday’s Gospel and found in other places in the Gospels as well, demonstrates the desire of Jesus to bring spiritual wholeness and eternal life to the nations. People may in fact resist or reject such a gift from God, but it is offered to everyone nonetheless.
We recognize that what is contrary to God’s ways, understood as the power of evil and sin, is still alive and active in our world today. The power of Jesus is needed today as much as ever to overcome the devil. As in the time of the Lord, the struggle between good and evil is played out in human lives, ever in need of God’s grace and mighty deeds.
We need God’s saving help which we believe is supremely bestowed in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who possesses the power to restore to the right path those who are straying along a way that is contrary to God’s. As Saint James expresses it his letter, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7).
Looking again at the Gospel passage for this Sunday, the evil spirit that was confronted and confounded by Jesus in the synagogue clearly recognized and feared the Lord and his divine power. From the depths of the possessed man the evil spirit cried out: “Have you come to destroy us?” and furthermore, “I know who you are–the Holy One of God.” That is precisely who Jesus is, and even the demons recognize this fact and are defeated when faced with God’s power.
Many times those who have fallen from the path of good and sided with evil are reluctant or terrified of changing to another course of action. Change is painful and even what is recognized as the right path can be difficult to realize. Those who fear need to listen to God’s word, a call to conversion, turning back and closer to God, each and every day.
That is an important Benedictine vow, conversion of life, meaning that we are willing to start anew each day, since yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come, and really all we have is the present.
Applying all this to our personal lives, we may not find ourselves far off the track, but nonetheless we are being asked to belong completely to God, without compromise and without fear, giving our lives in loving service of God and neighbor.
Saint Paul in the second lesson this Sunday describes his own teachings as designed to promote this, or as he calls it, “what will help you to devote yourself entirely to the Lord,” (First Corinthians 7:35). This is the goal of every genuine follower of Jesus Christ.
Fear can inhibit or prevent our accepting the presence of God in our midst, so we need to hear those important words often found in the Gospels, “Do not be afraid.” That is the message God desires us to hear, so that we can go forward freed from spiritual paralysis that causes us to do nothing or to do what is contrary to God’s will.
Clearly Jesus had real regard for the unnamed person he met in the synagogue who was possessed by an unclean spirit. Jesus saw and loved the man inflicted and desired to set him free. By extension Jesus sees and loves each of us as individuals, in need of salvation, the fullness of life. Jesus brings the world freedom from bondage to sin and eternal death by his own death and rising to life.
This is the great mystery of faith which we boldly proclaim at every Mass after the consecration, using one of the three options: “We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.” Or, “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim you death, O Lord, until you come again.” Or, “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.”
As a result of the saving deeds of Christ, all of us are offered true freedom, happiness and consolation in the depths of our being and for all eternity.
After healing the man we are told that the others in the synagogue were amazed. The Greek word Saint Mark uses is closer to our English word, “astounded,” a very strong sense of awe at what Jesus had brought about in curing the possessed man. What amazed or astounded the people was the “new teaching in a spirit of authority,” as Saint Mark expresses it.
It was not just words but results coming from the words that Jesus spoke, that clearly demonstrated our Lord’s possessing divine origin and authority. A great Teacher speaks, but one who is both God and man. God’s word transforms and is able to transform us as well. We should never cease to thank God for the wondrous gifts bestowed on us in Jesus Christ.
Fr Christian Leisy, OSB, Monastery of Christ in the Desert, Abiquiu, New Mexico
