A New Day Dawns
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deuteronomy 18:15–20 / Psalm 95:8 / 1 Corinthians 7:32–35 / Mark 1:21–28
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Reflecting on the Word
By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
Some years ago there was a series of books called A Day in the Life of . . . . Sometimes it was a continent like Africa; sometimes a country like America, the Soviet Union, or Thailand; and sometimes a state like Hawaii or California. One hundred top photographers visually captured the experience of this place in a twenty-four-hour period. In today’s and next Sunday’s Gospels, Mark verbally gives us “A Day in the Life of Jesus, God’s Prophet.”
The first experience of Jesus as one whose word effects what he says occurs in the synagogue. Here Jesus encounters an unclean spirit. The spirit makes the first move, naming Jesus as the Holy One of God. In biblical thought, naming a person gave you some degree of power over that person. Not here. With a few quick words, Jesus asserts his authority: “Quiet! Come out of him!”
How fitting that Jesus’ first public act in the first Gospel to be written down is to free a human being from an evil spirit that has brought him chaos and destruction. This event reveals Jesus as one who came to free us from all that oppresses and beats us down. This liberation continues to be the work of all who follow Jesus.
We don’t hear much about evil spirits these days, but can anyone deny their presence in our world? Consider the murder, mutilation, rape, and torture that have taken place in eastern Congo alone for the last twelve years with an estimated death toll of 6.9 million. Change is impossible without God’s help.
Consider/Discuss
- Do you believe evil spirits continue to dwell in the human heart? • Does this mean we are not responsible but that “the devil makes us do it”?
- Does this Gospel offer any hope to people today in the face of so much suffering and death in the world?
Responding to the Word
Jesus, you are revealed as one who has the power to cast out evil spirits who take up residence in our hearts. May your liberating word free us from all that brings harm, and may we work to bring your healing spirit to touch our world. Amen.