Today's Gospel Reading and Reflection Catholic January 12 2021 | Mark 1 21-28| Jesus and Unclean Spirit

 

Then they came to Capernaum, 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.

Dear God's beloved children, after his first disciples' calling, he does his first miracle in Capernaum. In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus dismantle the power of evil by curing various sicknesses. The Messianic secret also we find in this Gospel very often. Though the evil spirit knew who Jesus is, he commands them to keep silent, and we can see this throughout this Gospel. The secret of Jesus as the Messiah will be unveiled over time, not suddenly. Beginning with his teaching and then to his mighty works and later to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This revelation is an ongoing formation for his disciples.   

This Gospel testifies, Jesus performed his first miracle on a Sabbath day. Jesus regularly observed the Sabbath by attending the synagogue services. Jesus used those moments with the people for teaching, and we read, "the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. Like we read in the first reading and psalm, Jesus has the power over everything. The scribes taught the people the knowledge they have from the Scriptures, but Jesus taught them the Word of God. He is the Word of God incarnated, and when he teaches, it will be with authority.

When we reflect on the first miracle of Jesus, we see the mission of Jesus to dispel the power of darkness. In the presence of Jesus, the unclean spirit cannot withstand. This incident took place in a synagogue during a Sabbath day, and that man might have come for the Sabbath service before also, but on this particular day in front of Jesus, it cannot remain silent. The power of Jesus' words healed the person from his infirmity.

In the present world, many people never believe in the power of evil. They think these Gospel passages are mythical stories, but it is foolishness to think in such a way where the presence of evil is very much visible. However, the Church has always taught that demons are real spiritual beings, fallen angels who were created by God but became evil by their own free choice (CCC 391 – 395). Through his cross and resurrection, Christ definitively conquered the powers of hell. Though there is unavoidable evil present globally, we believe that God can work good out of every evil (Romans 8: 28). The grace of baptism affords us protection from demons and the strength to resist their seductive influence.

Final Prayer:

Father, you alone are eternal, and you alone live in unapproachable light. I thank you that you have made me in your image; have mercy on my sins, and save me through your Son Jesus Christ. Amen

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