Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)

 

Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (B) [Mk 1:21-28]

28.01.2024

Jesus’ Messianic Authority in Word and Deed

Readings: (1) Deut 18:15-20 (2) 1 Cor 7:32-35

1.  Theme in brief

Jesus’ teaching authority as well as authority over evil spirits

2.   Focus Statement

Jesus comes to liberate us from slavery to evil forces, that not only alienate us but go against God’s Kingdom, and gives us the authority to defeat them.  

3.   Explanation of the text

In today’s gospel text, instead of telling us what exactly Jesus taught in the synagogue, Mark tells us how he taught and what the effect of his teaching was. He emphasizes that Jesus taught (1) with authority and (2) people in the synagogue at Capernaum were astounded and amazed at his teaching. [Both of these expressions are found twice each in 1:22 and 1:27]. The effect of his teaching was that it had the power to cast out unclean spirits (demons).

It is clear that Jesus’ authority is a central theme in today’s gospel and it refers to his teaching authority as well as authority over evil spirits. All people were astounded at his teaching because he taught with his own authority without relying on the authority of the Law of Moses and traditions. They also found a difference in his and scribes’ teaching (1:21). The scribes' teaching authority came from the Law, whereas Jesus taught with an independent authority. His authority came directly from God himself; that is, he was endowed with divine authority. The scribes supported their teaching by quoting the Scripture. Even the prophets spoke on behalf of God and often said: “Thus says the Lord.” But Jesus spoke independently.

Though Mark does not mention the content of Jesus’ teaching at this point, we can very well guess that it is centred on his main theme: “The Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (1:16). His first teaching about the Kingdom of God and first deed of casting out demons were also intimately related. Endowed with divine authority, he not only taught but also acted against the evil forces. This text indicates that he came to confront the forces that go against God’s Kingdom and cast them out or defeat them. Thus, Jesus disclosed his messianic identity and mission both in word and deed.

When Jesus encountered the evil spirit, the latter confessed that Jesus was the Holy One of God (1:24).  Indirectly, he acknowledged that Jesus was holy and he was unholy, or Jesus was ‘clean’ (or pure) and he was an unclean spirit. When put in ordinary language what this unclean spirit blurted out could mean, "There is no common ground between your holy and my unholy or your clean and my unclean spheres. You remain in your field and I remain in mine. Let us not interfere in each other’s field of operation." (1:24). The suspicion of demons whether Jesus had come to destroy them (1:24) is in fact true. By his resurrection, Jesus won a victory over them and destroyed their hold over those who firmly believe in the power of his resurrection.

This text says that while casting out the unclean spirit from that man, Jesus “rebuked” him and ordered him to keep quiet and come out of the man. Later on, Mark uses the same word while narrating the miracle of stilling the storm in the sea (4:35-41). There also he says that Jesus “rebuked” the wind (4:39). This shows that he has power over both the natural world (“wind and sea obey him,” 4:41) and the supernatural world (demons and evil spirits obey him, 1:25-26). The text brings out Jesus’ complete authority over evil forces because of which they obey him. His mission entails the definitive victory over evil forces, symbolized by Satan and all his cronies. Surely, he came to silence (1:25) the evil powers and liberate humans from their slavery, which alienated them.

Jesus' teaching with divine authority was acclaimed by the people in the synagogue as new teaching (1:27), because it was attested by his deeds such as freeing people from demons leading them to a new quality of life. This “new teaching” (1:27) with authority put him into conflict with those who taught the same “old stuff” (laws and traditions) and ultimately led to his death on the cross.

4.  Application to life

Actually Jesus had neither political nor military power which invests a person with enormous authority. He was neither a scribe nor a priest who are invested with religious authority to teach, preach and perform religious ceremonies. In spite of that, today’s gospel says that he taught with authority and confronted evil spirits with the same authority. From the time of ancient rulers found in the annals of history to today’s ordinary parents who exercise authority over their children, we observe that some authorities are respected and some are not; some are obeyed out of fear and some out of reverence. Sometimes, those who are in authority are revered not so much for their wealth/ military/ political power, but for their moral authority. Due to this moral or inner authority commanded by them, people respect their word and follow them out of respect. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are prominent among such leaders. From where does their power come? They earn it by practising what they preach and by using their power the way Jesus used it.  He did not use his authority for himself but to serve humanity. He used it to serve, not to be served (Mk 10:45). He used it to bring blessings to people such as restoration of health and healing of body and spirit.

This is quite different from the understanding of power and authority in our political circles! As followers of Christ, today’s gospel-message leads to introspection whether we use our authority in the manner Christ used it. Besides hotly debating about the politics of the politicians, nowadays people speak also about ‘village politics,’ ‘Church politics,’ ‘business politics,’ etc. If a person with any authority says one thing and does another; uses power only to enrich oneself, to exploit others, to amass unaccountable wealth through corrupt means, then he/she exercises only worldly power but loses moral or inner authority. This is true of not only autocratic rulers of the State but of authoritarian parents/ bosses/ teachers/ government officials/ tribal chieftains as well. Temptation to abuse or misuse one’s power and authority is really strong not only among political but also among religious leaders. Jesus wants us to use whatever authority we have in the family, workplace or administration to direct, guide and serve others, and not to take advantage of the helplessness of the weak, or to amass wealth only for ourselves or to take revenge against our opponents.

What does Jesus’ authority over demons (or as the gospel says ‘unclean spirits’) mean for us today? First of all, unclean spirits and demons can be taken to symbolize impulses inside us or forces outside that enslave us, control us or alienate us from God and neighbours or block our spiritual progress such as fear, guilt, anger and resentment. For instance, when fear controls us we miss great opportunities because we are afraid to take even smaller risks such as facing somebody’s displeasure for doing/saying the right thing. Instead, we play it safe. When resentment begins to drive us we become enslaved to our past hurts and inflict bitterness and emotional pain on ourselves. A humble admission of the enslavement of these ‘demons,’ submission to Jesus’ authority in faith and trust and begging him to cast out these ‘demons’ from us can restore our emotional health. Thus we too can experience the liberation brought about by Jesus from the slavery of dehumanizing forces.

Secondly, demons can be taken to represent all the powers that are against God and his  values, human welfare and goodness. Just as they did in Jesus’ time, today also they frustrate his mission of service to the needy, peace, justice and fellowship. There is a continual battle going on between God’s Kingdom (symbolizing goodness) and Satan’s (symbolizing all that is evil and ungodly) in our hearts as well as society. This combat between holy and unholy fields admitted by demons themselves in today’s text goes on and on. As the demons said, in fact there is a total incompatibility or absence of any common ground between Jesus and Satan, good and evil, truth and untruth, light and darkness (1:24). Therefore, for the followers of Jesus, any compromise or collusion with evil amounts to a negation of their vocation. Instead, they are called to wage a combat or battle with evil, just as Jesus who confronted the evil spirit powerfully. Since this battle is risky, we enter into a marriage of convenience.

We are called to live our life not by chance but by choice. Therefore, we need to choose a particular social evil around us and dream about doing something about it in our minds. By dream I mean creating a mental picture in our minds about our small contribution to tackle a particular evil practice/ habit/ custom/ attitude in ourselves or in our society. Then make a plan in the mind regarding the ways of fighting it out – by raising an objection, a disproval, a voice, by showing non-cooperation or by writing against it. For example, once when some school children asked Abdul Kalam (former President of India) about the impossible task of eradicating corruption in society and country, he said that it begins at home. He asked children whether they would protest when their parents do anything wrong or find them dishonest and tell them it is wrong. Naturally, fighting against social evils such as injustice, corruption, racism/casteism, superstitions like witchcraft, oppression, environmental destruction, etc., is risky and dangerous. Compromising with evil and evil-doers seems to be a safer position. What is worse is following a ‘culture of silence’ when we encounter evil because of fear of backlash or hostile reaction from evil-doers. Sometimes by keeping silence we may promote evil and become agents of Satan’s kingdom instead of apostles of God’s Kingdom. 

Finally, this passage reminds us of our mission to liberate people from all evil powers, which alienate and destroy their lives such as sin, addictions, psychological and emotional blocks and bondages, unjust social structures, fear of evil spirits, witchcraft, etc. As Jesus did, we have to silence these evil powers in order to save our people from self-destruction or destruction of goodness in our society. Otherwise, we will be dealing with the same “old stuff” (religious rules, rituals and traditions of the elders) which the scribes dealt with. 

5.  Response to God's Word

How do we use our authority at home, at workplace and in administration: as Jesus used or as the world teaches? What amends can we make if we have abused our powers or authority? What are the powers in our society that are hostile to God? Do we fight them or embrace them? Do we often compromise or collude with evil? Are we ready to face inconveniences, personal loss, mockery of companions, and attempts by our colleagues in offices to pressurize us to compromise with evil or follow their ways in order to safeguard our own position? On which side do we often find ourselves: of holiness or ungodliness, goodness or selfishness, God’s Kingdom or Satan’s?

6.  A prayer

Lord Jesus, we acclaim you as the Holy One of God.  You came to destroy evil and defeat all satanic forces. Trusting in the authority of your word and your authority over evil powers, we place before you all the evil forces within and outside us. Silence all these negative power-centres so that we can experience your gift of liberation from their bondage. Grant that we may experience the newness of your teaching by enhancing the quality of our service and by fighting against evil forces. Amen.