The Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time follows Jesus and the first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James and John called away from mending their fishing nets) as they enter into Capernaum, the place whose name means “village of comfort”. In this passage from the Gospel According to Mark (chapter 1, verses 21-28), Jesus’ way of being and his teaching capture the attention of the people. What he offers is new and different and comes with signs, as Jesus and the disciples enter a synagogue where he teaches with authenticity and frees a man who is under the hold of an unclean spirit.
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus 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. – Mk 1:21-28
It’s interesting to consider this passage in terms of human nature. Presumably the people in Capernaum (village of comfort), know one another. What do you imagine it was like when Jesus and his disciples, strangers, entered their space in general, but more specifically, their sacred space—the synagogue? How do you respond when someone new or unknown enters your space? What kinds of things determine your response?
Returning to the Gospel, in this passage one can infer that the people in the synagogue were drawn to Jesus and his message because despite being in the village of comfort, beyond the surface, their real needs were not being met.
“The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
What Jesus was saying, as he taught, spoke to the people of Capernaum. His words and his way touch their hearts, and they recognize him as being authentic. Reflecting on this past week, what kinds of words and things, and who, has touched your heart? What tends to strike a chord with you?
Coming back to the Gospel and the synagogue, next there is a man with an unclean spirit. Notice how the man and the spirit influencing him are intertwined. The man cries out, but the pronoun is “us”.
“he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?”
Yet, drawn into the presence of Jesus, the two become distinguishable. And, of everyone who is present (outside of the disciples), it is only the unclean spirit who recognizes and names what’s really happening. The unclean spirit knows who Jesus is, and perhaps, senses its doom.
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!
In what ways do you invite Jesus to help you discern and recognize situations where good and evil may have become intertwined?
Jesus expels the unclean spirit, setting the man free. The people are in awe and try to make sense of what they have witnessed. Word of Jesus spreads as they recognize Jesus’ way as being both new and powerful, or authoritative. Are they caught up in Jesus’ way, in the way the unclean spirit obeyed him, in Jesus being the Holy One of God?… What is it that is moving them and leads to Jesus becoming famous? What are they celebrating?
Revisit the things that tend to strike a chord with you and ask Jesus to reveal the places of comfort that may be creating a cloud of disguise and interfering with what is best. Express your desire to be led by the Light of God. Ask Jesus to help you to know what is influencing you.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen. – Matthew 4:16
A couple of days ago, the skies opened up, and the rain poured down as periods of thunder and lightning worked their way through the area. While the cloud masses wrestled, trying to push through to the other side, the torrential rain was unrelenting and seemed as if it could go on without end. It drenched everything in its path, washing away loose sediment and cleansing what remained.
Waiting in the car for a break or a slow-down in the rate of precipitation, I watched with apprehension as the thunder and lightning continued, the wind picked up, and a steady overflow of water traveled down the windows. After what seemed like an inordinate amount of time, rain still pouring, I made a dash, through the stream of water across the entire driveway, into the house. I too was now drenched. However, somewhere between the car and the house as the skies remained loud as well as fully opened, and the ground beyond soaked, trepidation gave way to a spirit of courage and excitement as I made my way to the threshold and crossed over it. Once inside, I looked back, amazed at both the way the rain continued to fall and how exhilarating it was to go through the rain and water to get to dry “land.”
There is always a way, even in times when it may seem like the roads are all washed out, or there are no paths to take. Listen, and as Jesus said, “Be opened!” (Mark 7:34)
The other day I saw a photograph of two swimmers competing in the Olympics. The caption underneath the picture called attention to the fact that one of the swimmers was so focused, his head straight ahead, while the other swimmer’s head was turned in the direction of his competitor rather than toward the “finish line.” The picture and accompanying story made me think about focus and attention in everyday life.
What catches my attention? Or more importantly, what do I allow to hold my attention? On what do I focus and to what does it lead?
The ability to focus is a gift. How do I use it? How do I recognize when I have become too focused, or when my attention has shifted to something of little or lesser importance in a particular situation?
Most often, there are clues when I am drifting (or about to) away rather than toward that which is good, or better, for me. To see or sense them though, is not necessarily easy especially with all the distractions that society offers. What is one to do?
Looking back to the Olympics, with the dedication, discipline and focus required to get there, it is clear that there is something far greater than a bunch of sports being played. It’s as if we are all pulling for each other without necessarily even trying all that hard. There is something that pulls us out of our own world…our own country as we often watch other countries competing and begin cheering them on, too. There is a Spirit that transcends all that is visible. One that propels and lifts both the athletes, enabling them to dig deep down, and the spectators, allowing them to enter the journey.
That same Spirit, creating a sense of unity and providing inner strength, and so much more, is available and waiting to capture our attention. Waiting to lead and guide us whether we are competing in the Olympics, going to school, working a job…doing anything at all…or doing nothing.
HopeThatFloats 
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