Mark 1:21-28

Mark 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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you sent your Son to heal us and reconcile us to you. It was a daunting mission, and yet he fulfilled it perfectly. You send your Spirit to sanctify us and bring us into communion with you. It is a daunting mission, and yet the Spirit is fulfilling it!

Encountering the Word of God

1. Astonished at Jesus’ Teaching: Like the people in Capernaum, who were astonished at Jesus’ teaching, we need to hear Jesus’ words with new and fresh ears. We need to be astonished each time we encounter the words and teachings of Jesus – either in the Gospel, the Church’s Tradition, or the Church’s Magisterium. In Scripture, the written Word of God, we hear a record and sampling of Jesus’ sermons and his parables. In Tradition, the living Word of God within the Church, the Apostles and their successors faithfully communicate Christ’s message and make it ever-present. The Church’s Magisterium has the divine mandate to serve Christ by faithfully interpreting Scripture and Tradition down through the centuries until his glorious return.

2. In the Synagogue with an Unclean Spirit: The man with the unclean spirit can be seen as a symbol of each one of us. We attend Church each week, and yet we struggle to overcome sin. We likely are not possessed by an unclean spirit, but we all have or struggle against habits of sin. Our weekly, monthly, or semi-annual confession likely doesn’t vary a great deal. Jesus doesn’t meet us at Mass to destroy us, but to heal us and cast out the evil of sin and vice in our lives. The Gospel speaks about the unclean spirit convulsing the man as it left. This is another example of how difficult it is to overcome habits of sin. Psychologists hold that it takes anywhere from two to eight months to form a good habit. The Gospel reminds us that to overcome sin, our human effort is not enough. We need Jesus to pour out the grace of the Spirit into our hearts. Empowered by grace, we can truly work to overcome the bonds of sin.

3. What is this? In the Gospel of Mark, there are over 100 questions. Jesus himself asks around 40 of them. But there is a special series of rhetorical questions that are put to the reader. One of these, an indirect one, is found in today’s Gospel. When the people hear Jesus teach and see Jesus cast out an unclean spirit in the synagogue, they ask, “What is this?” We need to do the same when we meditate on the words of Jesus and contemplate the actions of Jesus. The Son of God became man and dwelt among us. What is this? The Son of God became man and taught with divine authority. What is this? The Son of God cast out demons and healed the sick. What is this? The Son of God died on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day. What is this? The Son of God ascended into heaven, body and soul, and now sits at the right hand of the Father as our royal high-priest. What is this? This simple question invites us to meditate on and contemplate the mysteries of the life of Christ.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, allow me to be astonished each day at your teaching. I want to hear your exhortations and spiritual insights anew. I can be stubborn in my ways of thinking and need to conform to your sentiments and thoughts. Guide me always with your Spirit!

Living the Word of God: As I read through the Gospel of Mark, what questions bring me to prayer? Do I hear the voice and questions of Jesus?