Gospel Mk 1:21-28
Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Mass today... seems like more and more are filling the pews. Everyone hoping to hear something more positive than what we might hear on the news or see on the internet.
Here is what our Deacon conveyed to us today and what spoke to my heart:
Words... words have power. Jesus said, " Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. ...words... and what power.
Do our words affirm Jesus?
The words we speak on daily basis affect who we are and those around us.
For me, growing up in the South we used to hear , "God bless you". I used to smile when I moved to Denver in my 20's and the lady next to me would constantly say, "Well, God bless your pea-pickin' heart", to her customers. We don't hear "God bless you" near enough these days.
Think about your own words. Are they showing we are caring and compassionate? What do people hear from us?
Deacon challenged us with the words... "Demonic possessions no longer happens today...or do they? What do you see or hear on television, the movies, bullies, books, and yes, even our own language at times." What are your own words saying about you? Do they contradict the words of Christ that we say we believe? Jesus declared unto us to be a light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Dear God,
May we honor You with all our words and works.
Amen
Thank you Deacon for your inspiring words to carry me through the new week.
peace
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