4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 28, 2024

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Jesus is teacher of all, and healer of all

Mark 1:21–28

Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Music Meditations

Opening Prayer

Not to the wise and powerful of this world, O God of all blessedness,
but to those who are poor in spirit do you reveal in Jesus the righteousness of your kingdom.
Gathered here, like the ill and desperate, we long to listen as Jesus, the teacher, speaks.
By the power of his word, heal us, refashion our lives in the pattern of the beatitudes.
[Pause here to pray for anyone in need of healing in mind or body]
We ask this through your son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Companions for the Journey

Excerpted from “First Impressions” 2023, a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

Mark’s gospel is rushing along. We are still only in the first chapter and today we have two accounts of Jesus’ ministry—his teaching in the synagogue and an exorcism. The exorcism has spectacle about it and draws our attention but, judging from the opening and closing of the passage, it doesn’t seem to be the focus of the story. Instead, Mark refers us to Jesus’ teaching. The exorcism underlines his authority to teach. The crowds confirm this emphasis, for we are told they were “astounding at his teaching,” because he taught as, “one having authority and not as the scribes.”

In Deuteronomy Moses promised, “A prophet like me will the Lord your God raise up for you among your kin, to him you shall listen.” God did just that, sent prophets to reveal God’s will and presence to the people. The prophets who preceded Jesus spoke in God’s name, “Thus says the Lord…” But Jesus speaks from his own authority, “I say to you…” What the disciples would realize, after Jesus’ resurrection, was that he was even greater than Moses, or any of the prophets. He was not merely a voice for God; he was the presence of the Holy One in their midst. And more. Jesus’ powerful presence would not be taken away, or leave them—even after his death. His resurrection would open their eyes to who he was and who he would continue to be for them. They would remember his words, spoken with authority and authenticated by powerful signs and they would place their confidence in his presence with them as they went forth to preach his word. In their teaching the scribes would have drawn on past teachers and commentators. They wouldn’t have claimed their own authority. Thus, the crowd is amazed because Jesus didn’t rely on anyone else’s authority when he taught, he spoke “as one having authority.” How would the people know that Jesus had any right to speak from his own authority? To show that he did, he drove out an evil spirit. When people observed this they could then put trust in what he taught,

Previously, John the Baptist promised that one more powerful than he (1:17) was coming. Today’s story, and Mark’s gospel itself, reveal the fulfillment of John’s promise. Jesus has entered a world where evil seems to have the upper hand and humanity, like the possessed man in the synagogue, is helpless against such power. Evil works against God’s good intentions for us. A “mighty one,” who can subdue the powers of evil, is needed. Jesus enters the scene and, as we see in Mark’s breathless gospel, he quickly goes about his mission: he confronts and casts out the various guises of evil which oppress people and even attack his own disciples (8:33). He does battle against sin, sickness, falsehood, greed and the power of death itself.

People had waited a long time for God to come to their aid and Jesus’ teachings and power reveal that God has arrived to enable them to resist and overcome evil. The exorcism is visible proof of God’s very present power. Jesus also wants to restore people to the community and one example of this is the exorcism. A person who exhibited such bizarre behavior would have been considered possessed of an evil spirit. Hence, they were barred from the synagogue, for the very reason we see in today’s story—they would be disruptive to the order of the community. Jesus used his authority, not to cast the man from the synagogue, but to drive out the source of the disruption. He is restoring to order and health what evil has upset. Jesus is putting flesh on what he proclaimed last week, “This is the time of fulfillment, the kingdom of God is at hand.”

We aren’t merely looking back on Jesus’ authoritative words and being inspired by them. Through his resurrection he is present with us now, still speaking and acting with an authority that overcomes evil. Two weeks ago we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr’s holiday. We hear in King’s preaching words of hope to people who lived over four decades ago—and today. This preacher spoke to our past, but he speaks to our present and future as well, as he draws on Jesus’ authority and challenges us to live lives based on equality, non-violence and love—even for our enemies. His life and words show us just how powerful Jesus’ words are as they strengthen us in our present and future struggles against the evils that would fragment the human community into competitive and combative factions.

King says, as he once did in Montgomery, Alabama: “I know you are asking today, ‘How long will it take?’ I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because truth crushed to earth will rise again.
How long? Not long, because no lie can live forever.
How long? Not long, because you will reap, what you sow.
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice
How long? Not long, because mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…”

In the voices of such modern-day prophets as M. L. King, you can hear the authoritative voice of the One who stood up in the synagogue to teach and whose words could drive out evil. Such power and authority were reflected in King’s words as he confronted war, racism, violence and injustice and his words still help us in our ongoing struggle to drive out these unclean spirits.

Who has authority over our lives? Whose words and actions have the power to sway us and call us to righteous living? Who influences our conscience enough to cause us to change our ways and take up life in God’s reign? Who gives us perspective and lens through which to look out at our world and helps us find the good and reject the evil? For Christians, Jesus’ words have such authority for us.

We have confidence in his words and trust he will be faithful to us as he sends us modern prophets to help us teach by our words and example. Indeed, regular reflection on Jesus’ teachings can shape us; help us resist evil and turn towards the good for, as the crowds acknowledged that day Jesus taught in the synagogue—his teaching has authority.

Further reflection:

Weekly Memorization

Taken from the gospel for today’s session…

He commands even the evil spirits and they obey him

Living the Good News

What action can you take in the next week as a response to today’s reading and discussion?

Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions or the meditations which follow:

Reflection Questions

  • Contrary to common understanding, authority is not having power over people. Genuine authority is the power to en-able people, to em-power them to transcend what they thought were their abilities. —from “Living Space”
    Where in the gospels have you seen Jesus display this kind of authority?
    Have you ever known anyone who possessed this kind of authority?
  • What do you think was Jesus’ motive in healing the man possessed by a demon?
    Have you ever been transformed by an encounter with Jesus?
  • From “Living Space”, a service of the Irish Jesuits:
    Our faith should free us to be authentically what Jesus calls us to be; then our faith should not seem like a burden, an entrapment;
    To what extent is the Church responsible for creating this image which is a contradiction of the gospel message?
  • When has someone’s presence caused a change in your life?
    Was it a good one or a bad one?
    What is one thing you can do this week to bring God’s presence into your life more fully?
  • Have you ever ostracized someone from your group because (s)he was an embarrassment or worse?
    How did you feel?
    What does this incident in today’s gospel tell us about Jesus and inclusivity?
  • What demons do I carry around with me?
  • In the gospel of Mark, the evil spirits recognize who Jesus is long before his disciples do. Who do you say Jesus is?
  • If someone were to ask you: “who are you?” How would you answer?
    If someone says: “I know just who you are…” what does that usually portend?
  • What is the significance for you of the location and the nature of Jesus’ first miracle?
  • Jesus’ authority did not come from the words of others, not from power or strength, but from a personal relationship with God and a commitment to service. Do I understand the concept of the authority of Jesus’ teachings?
  • Where does my authority emanate from?
  • Jesus also preached through his actions of healing and care for others. Can you think of examples where this was so for Jesus?
    How do I preach through my actions?
  • From Daniel Harrington, S.J., in “America”:
    In the biblical perspective, what qualifies as holiness?
    In what sense is Jesus the Holy One of God?
    Among the persons whom you know and have known, are there any whom you regard as especially holy? Why?
  • What evil spirits do we encounter daily, through the internet, advertisements, cable news, social media?
  • What evil spirits have disrupted my personal life?
  • Whose words and actions have the power to influence me?
    Whose words and actions have the power to influence a lot of us?
  • The presence of evil spirits was the common explanation for any abnormal events or human actions. It is how people explained what they could not understand. Fear of evil spirits was very prevalent in the time of Jesus. He came to liberate the people of his time, and us, from great and paralyzing fears.
    What are my fears?
    Can I take them to Jesus?

Meditations

A Meditation in the Augustinian Style/Relationship:

Every one of us wrestles with demons of some sort: loneliness, fear of failure, addictions, parental issues, relationship problems, aging, self-absorption, sin. Reflect on your own personal demons, secure in the knowledge that God loves you just the way you are, and that you do not have to change for God to love you. Then try to remember that God will never leave you to face any trials alone, but will walk with you—sometimes whether you know it or not.

Poetic Reflection:

The following poem captures the experience of meeting or knowing someone who was truly special—marked by God for greatness of some sort. Have you ever known anyone like this? How could this poem apply to Jesus?

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history
Through the corridors of light where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing, Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth;
Never to deny its pleasure in the simple morning light.
Nor its grave evening demand for love;
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how those names are feted by the waving grass,
And by the streamers of white cloud,
And whispers of wind in the listening sky;
The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

—Stephen Spender

A Meditation in the Dominican Style/Asking Questions:

Adapted from “Faith Book” 2015, a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

Who speaks to us with authority? Whose words, guide our spirits and direct our energies? Is it the voice of Pope Francis who expresses concern for the poor, the persecuted and the environment? Or, are we influenced by other “authorities.” How much sway over us have political parties, blogs, editorials, the opinion of others, etc.? We are responsible to form our conscience according to God’s authoritative word—but who and what helps us do that?

Speak to God about the mixed and confusing messages you receive in your everyday life, and ask for clarity and guidance from Jesus, the source of truth, wisdom and empowerment in your life.

Poetic Reflection:

Read and enjoy the following poetic reflection on the gospel by Father Michael Kennedy, S.J. in 2009:

“Astonishment Is Not Enough”

(4th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

It is interesting
That Jesus entered the
Synagogue on the Sabbath
And taught for clearly He
Was very good at it since the
Listeners were overwhelmed and
Saw Him as one who spoke with
Authority and not like scribes
And then Mark piles it on a bit
When he introduces the
Man with an unclean
Spirit who yells
At Jesus

And if truth
Be known the unclean
Spirit was probably very
Afraid of Jesus so it uses
The ploy of calling Him the
Holy one of God in the ancient
Way that using the precise
Name of someone would
Guarantee the unclean
Spirit mastery over
The named one

But the Jesus of
Mark could not be handled
And He simply freed the man
From the unclean spirit and this
Brought out more amazement
From the crowd who had yet
To know Jesus who wanted
Commitment from His own
Followers since this One
Made very clear that
Astonishment is
Not enough

—from “Musings from Michael” © Michael J. Kennedy 2009

A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:

Read Psalm 38. In this psalm we can see the connection that the Jews made between illness and sin. Somehow, the ill person has done something to bring this on herself. If this illness is truly a punishment for sin, then no one would feel particularly sorry for the sufferer. Many illnesses, especially those with fevers, blood or sores, rendered someone ritually impure, and no one was allowed to touch or to come near them. Even today, serious illness, and especially a mental illness, can separate the sick person from those around him. Perhaps friends do not want to be embarrassed. Others don’t want to think about the suffering of another for too long. It reminds them of their own mortality. This psalm captures very well the sense of isolation that comes from illness, isolation that can lead to depression and hopelessness. The psalmist asserts that healing, either in body or spirit, only comes from God. Has there been a time in your life when you have needed God’s healing? Did you ask for it? Pray to God for the confidence to trust in the Spirit’s healing powers.

Has there been anyone in your life who needed healing of some sort, but was blamed for his/her illness? Is there anything you can do to bring the healing of Jesus to this person?

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus, we especially pray for all those in need of your guidance and your comfort at this time [pause to recall the names of those you want to pray for]. We pray for a world in need of your call to serve others and the natural world [pause to recall the issues you want to pray about]. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see.