10-Jan-17

Gospel MK 1:21-28
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he 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.

Reflection:
"The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes."
The "scribes" were the interpreters of Moses' law. When teaching, they would quote other scribes or famous men to bolster and legitimize their own opinions.
As the Son of God, Jesus spoke with the ultimate "authority." He did not come to debate; He came to proclaim. Jesus Christ spoke the very words given to Him by God, our Father.
The proof that Jesus' words came from God were confirmed by the miracles that He performed.
"In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit....."
Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, the evil spirit within the man was frightened; a wolf is always afraid and cautious at the sight of the shepherd.
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!"
Here, we see the great distinction: Jesus rebukes not the man but the unclean spirit "within the man" saying,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
I know how that man felt. I too have sat in church when I felt "unclean." There have been times in my life when I have prayed for Jesus to come and drive out every unclean spirit and thought "within me."
"The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him."
Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
John (14:6)......."and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)
The man in today's gospel was set free from sin, the "unclean spirit," because he recognized "the truth" that Jesus Christ is the "Holy one of God."
The old saying goes, "The truth hurts."
But, if through the strength and love of Jesus Christ we find the courage to face the truth, "the Holy One of God" will "set us free."
"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.- - James A. Garfield