The Gospel Reading for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany: Year B
Mark 1:21-28
“Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” (Mark 1: 23 and 24)
In today’s Gospel reading according to Mark, Jesus has gone and settled in Capernaum on the coast of Lake Galilee where he as already gathered a few followers. As he meets in their Synagogue on the Sabbath he has this encounter with a local who shows signs of being possessed by an unclean spirit.
I ask myself about his choice of words as he asks, “What have you to do with us?” Is he talking about the community of Capernaum, those in the Synagogue, or perhaps those who are possessing him? In any case Jesus orders the unclean spirit, or spirits, out and his order is quickly obeyed.
The people around Jesus hear his teaching with authority. And then see an example of his power in healing a man with an unclean spirit. So now they are convinced that Jesus is not like their normal teachers, he is one with authority. So both the citizens of Capernaum and the unclean spirit are aware of the authority of Jesus. As this lesson has been handed down to us, we too should recognize the authority of Jesus and bring our ills to him.
The Spirit of Jesus of Capernaum is still with us today. We too must recognize the authority in him to do that which is good and right so to do. Jesus gives us new teachings that will amaze and astound us. We need to trust in the power of Jesus and spread the word about him to those who are less informed about who Jesus really is and what the Holy Spirit of Jesus is still doing today.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 