Jesus starts his public ministry by reaching out to people and teaching them. They are impressed, to say the least, “The people are astonished at Jesus’ teaching, for he teaches them as one having authority and not as their rulers.” Jesus also begins reaching out to people and healing them. In one encounter a man possessed by an unclean spirit accosts him. In response, Jesus says, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.” Again, “the people are amazed and ask one another, “What is this? A new witness of authority.”
Jesus’ new witness of authority is needed in our own time. It is needed not with just one man possessed by a demonic unclean spirit, but with an entire people. The entire people possessed live in the United States. They are white supremacist evangelicals. They are specifically white evangelicals who support the current president. They are possessed by a demonic spirit. To be demonic simply means to be an adversary. These evangelicals are adversaries to Christ. They are adversaries to Jesus Christ’s authority for communion, love, and creative healing power. When these adversaries accost us, can we deal with them as did the man they say they worship, Jesus? Can we, from the authority of conscience “Quiet” the demonic spirit of white evangelical nationalists? When these adversaries tell us to choose between helping citizens or immigrants we can quiet them into thinking by asking them, ‘When did you first decide to divide us instead of embrace Christ’s Kingdom of God that unites us? (Mt 13:31-32; 33. Lk17:20-21) When these adversaries accuse gays, lesbians, and transgendered persons of destroying our families, nation, and culture we can quiet them into thinking by asking them, “When did your heart first turn to rejecting people and rejecting Jesus’ witness of love of enemies? When these adversaries proclaim the justness of war with North Korea, Iran, Yemen, … we can quiet them into thinking by asking them, “When did you first decide to act violently or support others acting violently and thus reject Jesus’ practice of being a healing power in this world?”
Acting from this authority has its own power to send those possessed into demonic convulsions. So be it. It will also possibly quiet them into thoughtful reflection and potential freedom from their demonic spirit.
Prayer: Spirit of Quiet, be with us among adversaries.
Question: What is the question asked of me that would send me into convulsions?
January 28, 2018 Gospel Mark 1:21-28 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time