Luke 4:31-37

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.

He taught them on the sabbath,

and they were astonished at his teaching

because he spoke with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,

and he cried out in a loud voice,

“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, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

Then the demon threw the man down in front of them

and came out of him without doing him any harm.

They were all amazed and said to one another,

“What is there about his word?

For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,

and they come out.”

And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are the ultimate authority and are all-powerful. You are the author of life and existence itself. Conquer the forces of evil in this world and bring all things to their consummation according to your divine plan.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Holy One of God: When we read the account of the exorcism in Capernaum, it seems like the “unclean demon” makes an act of faith by proclaiming that Jesus is the “Holy One of God.” This is not actually what is going on. What the demon is trying to do is to control Jesus by invoking his name. Naming something, or knowing its name, means having power over that thing. God, in Genesis, gave Adam the power to name things and granted him a shared dominion over the animals and material creation. Even today, a Catholic exorcist priest, according to the Rite of Exorcism, will ask the demon what its name is. And then, in the name of Christ, the exorcist attempts to cast the demon out of the possessed person. The unclean demon, in today’s Gospel, is not confessing their faith in Jesus as the Son of God. It was desperately attempting to control Jesus or have power over Jesus.

2. The People were Amazed: When the people saw the exorcism, they were amazed. They were impressed by the power and authority of Jesus’ word. Jesus demonstrates that he is more powerful than unclean spirits. These demons are fallen angels, who, after they were created, chose to love themselves more than the one who created them. They rejected God and God’s plan immediately after they were created. And so, the Gospel passage is a question about authority and power. The fallen angels don’t have absolute power. We will see that the scribes and Pharisees don’t have true divine authority. Jesus reveals himself as more powerful in his exorcisms than the fallen angels. He is true God and true man. Jesus reveals himself as more authoritative in his teaching than the scribes and Pharisees. He is true God and true man. Jesus’ teaching and actions invite the people to ask in their hearts who Jesus is.

3. The Day of the Lord: Today, we conclude our reading of Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians. Paul speaks about the “Day of the Lord” and how it will come like a thief in the night. In the Old Testament, the “Day of the Lord” was a term used by prophets. Joel, for example, uses it as the unifying theme of his book. (see Joel 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14). The “Day of the Lord” is a day of judgment when God comes to settle accounts with Israel and the nations. “It will melt the hearts of all (Isaiah 13:6-16) because it comes as a day of darkness, doom, and distress (Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 30:3; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-16). On this day the Lord will bring low all that is proud and lifted up against him (Isaiah 2:11-22). He will battle against nations who assault and exploit his people (Obadiah 1:15), bring healing and blessing to all who repent (Malachi 4:1-6), and manifest his divine kingship over the world (Zechariah 14:1-9)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1508). The days of judgment that punctuate Israel’s history and world history point forward to the ultimate “Day of the Lord” at the end of time. This will be the “day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14). “On this day, which will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2), all people and nations will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), who God has appointed to judge the world (Acts 17:31) (CCC, 678-82)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1508). Paul doesn’t know when Jesus will appear as Savior and Judge. In his follow-up letter to First Thessalonians, he will point out signs that will lead up to the last day.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, set my heart on fire with your word. Comfort me with your grace when I am troubled. Calm me with your peace when the anxieties of this world are overwhelming.

Living the Word of God: When we cast aside the old man of sin and put on the new man of grace, we conform our hearts and our thoughts to the mind of Christ. We are to imitate Christ and, as God’s children, love the Father with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. How can I better prepare for the day of my judgment?