“The demonic is a way to talk about the reign of sin in our society and our lives, a system of sinfulness that rejects what is good for our neighbor and us. Sin is a power around us, invading our lives, possessing us, holding us captive, imprisoning all of us in a cage the size of the world.”–writes Isaac S. Villegas (SOJOURNERS January ’21:49) Lessons for the upcoming weekend are not just about the demonic but the authority of God and God’s Spokespersons to banish such brokenness and to restore right relationships with the divine. Hearers who may be overwhelmed by negative systems within themselves and the world in which they live are encouraged to rejoice in the nearness of God’s Kingdom. Even now.
The Hebrew Testament gives us words purported to have been issued by Moses, as he was ready to move on (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). He reminded the People of Wandering that “the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet…” This/these person(s) would not only speak for God, but would become a window through which the light of God would shine. St. Francis is attributed with saying, ” Preach constantly. Use words when you must.” The prophets among us are those whose actions point the disgruntled towards the Holy.
St. Paul’s First Collection of words to the Corinthians, 8:1-13, deals only superficially with the gastric habits of the Corinthian congregation. Perhaps there was a question–did someone tattle?–about the propriety of reusing “sacrificed” food; but the larger question raises about the “reality” of idols. “Nonsense,” we read between the lines, “there are no other gods”. Well, yeah–but there are plenty of DISTRACTIONS! If not food regulations, what other traditions are standing between us and Godliness? “Everything is legal,” of course; but if our pleasures and vices cause someone else to mis-read Righteousness, then we should listen to our scruples. How does the Church respond to the surrounding culture? Can we who’ve succumbed to the glitz & glory of capitalism/materialism/nationalism hope to center back? Only through Christ.
Mark’s Gospel is always very concise. After calling some fisher-folks, Jesus attended synagogue at Capernaum and “taught them as one having authority”. And of course there was a man “with an unclean spirit” there, and Jesus called the demonic out of him. (Self confession: this happens to me almost every worship service.) Mark presents the cosmic confrontation of the Creatures of Darkness vs. the Authority of Light–which is really the Gospel in a nutshell. When Jesus walks into the room, the powers recognize that the boundaries between Heaven & Earth have again been shattered…and lives are transformed.
Meanwhile, we plod long our way, step by step, groaning about the trials & temptations with which we put up. Ah, where is God? Perhaps nearer than we think or appreciate; and the everyday prophet is calling, Amos-like, to banish our idols and allow this proactive God to rearrange the furniture in our hopeful houses…
In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King
The record of my encounter with Scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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