Tuesday, XXII Week of Ordinary Time
(Luke 4)
In the gospel yesterday Jesus says that the Spirit has anointed him to let the oppressed go free. Today we see exactly what he means. Before we examine the story it is necessary to make a few notes about demons. We tend to see demons as tempters that nudge us to do what is wrong. The demons of the gospels, however, did not affect people morally, but physically and mentally. True, Satan makes appearances in the gospels, but he is not a demon but the devil, who tries to allure Jesus into sin. Today we don’t speak of demons possessing people with physical or mental disease. We use other terms like “cancer” and “bipolar condition” to describe these maladies. We should remember, however, that Jesus came to put an end to all conditions that oppress people.
The man possessed by a demon is already in the synagogue where Jesus is teaching. Evidently, the words of the other rabbis and the prayers of the people do not bother him. But Jesus teaches with authority; that is, he not only knows what he is talking about but also has the power to execute what he says. Jesus’ words disturb the demon who cries out in a loud voice trying to intimidate Jesus. He says, “’I know who you are – the Holy One of God.’” Jesus, however, is more than ready for the challenge. He speaks up more forcefully (exorcism is often a duel of words), “’Be quiet! Come out of him!’” The demon submits to Jesus’ power by dispossessing the oppressed man.
With the amazing success of science over disease we have difficulty thinking of Christ healing people. Of course, we should think of Jesus as working through medical professionals. But he also is at work beyond their powers to bring us from sickness to wholeness. God’s grace may not overcome the physical or mental symptoms of disease. But it can strengthen the person to accept them knowing that their harmful effects will dissolve in eternal life.
