Daily Reflections ...

In yesterday’s gospel, we encountered Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth reading from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives.” Today, we encounter Jesus fulfilling that prophecy in the synagogue at Capernaum:

In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! 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!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. [Luke 4:33-35]

Evil in all its forms has been a reality since humanity rejected to live fully the life that God offered. As you are reading this you will be aware, and no doubt worried, about the many forms of evil that pervade our world.

For many of us, we know we can – and do – choose ways that are not of God. Hopefully we know, too, the power of God’s love and mercy.  Some people experience being possessed by evil; the power is so great that their lives seem to be out of control. In whatever way we experience the ‘unclean devil’ as the man in today’s gospel, we need to ask Jesus to call this evil out. Jesus speaks with authority in simple, clear language and even the evil spirits listen.

Today, let’s pray for those situations around the world and in our lives that need to hear the command of Jesus, ‘Be silent, and come out!’ Jesus has the power to set captives free.

by Kari Hatherell