4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 28, 2018
Mark 1:21-28
“Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. (Mk. 1:21)”
After calling the disciples, Jesus begins his ministry proper in Capernaum. There, Jesus performs a threefold task: teaching, exorcism (driving away the evil spirits) and healing. On the Sabbath, He immediately enters the synagogue and teaches with authority. He faces the unclean spirits who possess a man and rebukes them to leave. And in the next Sunday’s reading, he heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Mk. 1:29-39). All these he does with authority.
This threefold task is fundamental to the ministry of Jesus, and in the succeeding Sundays, we will listen to many of these actions. Why are these fundamental to Jesus? The answer is because these three aspects make Jesus’ ministry a holistic one. Teaching is to form a sound mind, to drive away evil spirits is to build a holy spiritual life, and healing is to empower our bodies. It is precisely the Good News because the salvation Jesus brings covers all aspects of our humanity. As His disciples, we are all called to preach, drive evil spirits, and to heal.
Healing deals with the health of our bodies. It is true that we do not have the gift of healing, but all are called to respect our bodies and thus, to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid those things that will make us sick, like unnecessary stress and unhealthy food. To respect our bodies flows from the recognition that our bodies are the gift of God and as St. Paul says, “the Temple of the Holy Spirit.” Thus, abuse of our bodies means disrespecting the God who created us, and the Holy Spirit who gives us life. Yet, healing is not limited to our bodies but also includes healing our neighbors. It is to make sure that our brothers and sister have something to eat, something to clothe their bodies and a place to rest their bodies. It is not only to heal our own bodies but our society as well.
Exorcism is truly a special ministry in the Church, and only delegated to few people under the authority of the bishops, but every Christian is called to drive away evil spirits in their lives and hearts. It is our sacred duty to live holy lives, to receive the sacraments frequently, and to pray fervently. These are the ways to get closer to God, and thus, enable us to have healthy spiritual lives. To drive away evils also means to free ourselves from the bondage of sins and vices. It is a kind of spiritual healing. The devil sometimes possesses our bodies, but most of the time, he possesses our hearts. Our excessive attachment to things, like money, sexual pleasure, prestige, is a manifestation of evil spirits working in our hearts.
It is true that not all are teachers by profession, but we are called to form our minds and other peoples’ mind as well. It is fundamental for the parents to teach the basic Christian values, like honesty, fidelity, and compassion, to their young children. It is also important to habitually reflect on our characters, to correct bad habits, and to improve ourselves. After all, education is not only transfer of information, but the formation of characters. Thus, a right understanding of self will affect the way we act. I have been faithfully attending the Eucharist since my childhood, but when I learn more about its theology, history and its rootedness in the Scriptures and Christ Himself, the more I fall in love with the Eucharist.
We are the disciples of Christ, and it is our sacred mission and honor to participate in His threefold ministry in our own ways and lives: to teach, to drive evil spirits and to heal.
Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP
(photo by Harry Setianto Sunaryo, SJ)