Tuesday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time
GOD’S SAVING POWER
Extraordinary vocations are, at times, described in the bible in terms of barrenness, which, through prayer and faith in God’s power, produces life. It underlines God’s gratuitous grace, God’s power and also the difficulty, the struggle of faith, to lead to redemption. Samuel, then became the fruit of prayer and faith in God’s power.
In the Gospel, Mark shows the power of God at work in Jesus, the Messiah. It is a power that is contested by the powers of evil that must struggle and come to grip with opposition and suffering, but which will ultimately win – through struggle and contradiction. Such is also the power of God today in the world, the power of God in answer to our faith and prayer.
First Reading: 1 Sm 1:9-20
So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow:
Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain,
If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me
By giving me a son,
I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you.
I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.
12-14 It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!”
15-16 Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman brokenhearted. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.”
17 Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”
18 “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant.
19 Up before dawn, they worshiped Godand returned home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and Godbegan making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked.
20 Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked God for him.”
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.
Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”
Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.
Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!” News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.
Prayer
God, source of all power,
we like to imagine that we can do great things,
but when it comes to your work,
to your kingdom of truth and justice,
we have to recognize, perhaps grudgingly,
that we are weak and ineffective.
Help us to acknowledge this weakness
not as defeat, but as our real strength,
to let your power reveal itself
in suffering, in struggles,
and in gentleness and love,
which you show us in Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
Reflection:
I’ve got everything to do with you!
Gospel reading (Mk 1:21-28) is part of a wider narrative called a “day in Capernaum”. At the heart of today’s reading is the event of the exorcism through which Jesus is presented as a powerful prophet in word and deed. He spoke with authority and healed the sick and those possessed by unclean spirits. In that show of power, Jesus reveals himself as Master, Friend and Lord. Let’s try to see him.
Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. His authority fills not just the place but each person there. His authority and teaching probe into the lives of his listeners and reveal the truth about their lives. Most of them are astounded by his presence and teaching. But some were deeply disturbed by the words of Jesus.
The man with an unclean spirit question the one with the Holy Spirit! “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” The devil tells the truth: Jesus came to destroy the devil, ruin the demon, and defeat him. This unclean spirit knows the power of God, and he also proclaims his holiness.
He speaks not only for himself but for all those in the synagogue that day. He represents everyone who has ever experienced the brokenness of life. He is the spokesperson for all who feel disconnected from God.
The possessed man represents the human condition. His uncleanness is not about personal hygiene, immorality, or being bad. Instead, he describes the fragmented lives of those gathered in the synagogue and the many voices within them.
And how does Jesus answer this question of “What have you to do with us”? Jesus says, “Everything! I have Everything to do with you.” Those are the words that can begin to put his life back together. Jesus has Everything to do with us. He stands before us as the mirror image of who we can become. He calls us back into the beauty and wholeness of our original creation, the one made in the image and likeness of God.
Before his authoritative words, the powers of evil succumbed. That is why the reading of Sacred Scripture in our eucharistic celebrations is never considered to be just any reading, replaceable or dispensable, but rather a liturgical celebration. This explains why we listen to the Gospel standing up because we believe Christ himself is speaking to us.
For every voice that denies Jesus and cries, “What have you do to with us?” Jesus says, “Shhh! Be quiet. That’s not who you are. You are mine and I have Everything to do with you.” Listen to that voice, and you too will be astounded at what can become of your life.
Video available on Youtube: I’ve got everything to do with you!