4th Week in Ordinary Time -Deut 18:15-20; I Cor 7:32-35, MK 1:21-28

The common theme of today’s readings is divine authority. Today’s first reading tells us that a true prophet speaks with authority because it is God who speaks through him.  In the second reading, St. Paul exercises his God-given authority as the Apostle to the Gentiles to teach the people in Corinth.

In today’s gospel, Mark describes one sample Sabbath day of Jesus’ public life. Jesus went to the city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the center of the fishing business, his headquarters. There he started his preaching and healing ministry. The people were impressed by the authority of his teaching. The Old Testament prophets had taught using God’s delegated authority, and the Scribes and Pharisees taught by quoting Moses, the prophets and the great rabbis. But Jesus taught using his own authority and knowledge as God. Perfect knowledge of God, perfect accomplishment of God’s will, and absolute confidence in God were the sources of Jesus’ authority.  He joined in public worship in the synagogue as a practicing Jew, he healed the sick, he drove out evil spirits and he prayed privately.  People immediately noticed that Jesus spoke with authority and healed with divine power. Jesus explained the Scriptures with complete confidence, and, when questioned by people, he    answered with authority.  He used his real, or authentic, authority to teach, empower, liberate, and heal others.

The evil spirit mentioned in today’s gospel recognized Jesus as the Messiah and acknowledged him as such.  Jesus commanded the evil spirit harshly, using strong words and tones: “Be quiet! Come out of him!”.  One thing that      inspired my thought is that Jesus’ words are so powerful that even the evil spirits obey his commands. Why did the evil spirit come to the synagogue? Was it for prayer? I don’t think so. I remember the words of St. Peter In his first book, Chapter 5:8 , “Be alert, and be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to catch..”

Dear friends, Jesus did not use his authority and divine power to rule and control people. He respects our freedom. He came to set people free. By healing the sickness of the people, he brought them back to normal life, which they thought was not possible again in their life. The miracles which he performed helped the people to believe in him. Hence, let us approach Jesus with trusting faith and confidence so that he may free us from the evil spirits that keep us from praying, and prevent us from loving and sharing our blessings with others.  Jesus also frees us from fear, jealousy, envy,       addictions, selfishness, anger, resentment and hostility.  May he free us from all those spirits which make us deaf, dumb, blind, lame and paralyzed, physically and spiritually.

May God bless you.

-Fr Johnson