Readings: Hebrews 2:5-12, Ps. 8:2,5-9, Mark 1:21-28
“‘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.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’” (Mark 1:24-26)
- Throughout his public ministry, Jesus did not show any sign of timidity whenever He was confronted with demon-possessed people. For instance, in today’s Gospel passage, we notice that Jesus only commanded, “Be silent, and come out of him!” the unclean spirit left the man.
- Is it the case that the power at work in Jesus is not available to us? Today’s first reading from the Book of Hebrews says: “What is man that you are mindful of, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet. In putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.” (Hebrews 2:6-8).
- If God has subjected everything (including the devil) under our feet, it means we have the power to command unclean spirits. St. Paul tells us in Romans 8:15-17, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”
- In other words, if we are afraid of demons, we are either unaware of our power or have yet to overcome “the strong man.” Jesus said: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his spoil. (Luke 11:20-22)
- Is it the case that we do not have what it takes to break into the devil’s storehouse to free the souls he is holding captive? St. John the Evangelist answers: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
- Child of God, you have no reason to be afraid of the devil or persons possessed with demonic spirits. God has put all things under your feet. You are a child of God; you did not receive the spirit of timidity. He that is in you is greater than any power on earth. Never look down on yourself. You are so powerful that your very presence is a threat to demons. “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.”
- You don’t need to shout; demons know who is who. In Acts 19:13-16, we read: “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ And the man with the evil spirit leapt on them mastered all of them and overpowered them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”
- Do you remember what Jesus said about the devil being a strong man? If you want to battle against the devil, you must be prepared. This explains why Jesus fasted and prayed forty days and nights at the beginning of his public ministry. To exercise your power over the devil, you must battle the self; that is, you must first deal with your impulse to satisfy the flesh (pleasure), your longing to be praised by others (pride), and your desire for material riches (greed). These were the temptations Jesus dealt with before he started his ministry.
- The reason many Christians do not exercise their authority over the devil is sin. Sin is the major hold of the devil against us, his access code and the card he puts forward whenever we rebuke him. No one can serve two masters. (cf. Mt. 6:24, Lk. 16:13). You cannot secretly eat from the devil and come out in public to denounce him. If Jesus had bowed to the devil during his temptations, would he cast out the demon in today’s Gospel passage?
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, renew our spirit and deepen our resolve to reject sin. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 1 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Hebrews 2:5-12, Ps. 8:2,5-9, Mark 1:21-28).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu