The Holy Mass today on this Feast of the Presentation of Lord is popularly known as “Candlemas.” We have the blessing and procession of candles. The candle today is so significant in today’s celebration because of what it signifies. The light in our candle leads us to the “light that revealed salvation to the Gentiles.”
This light was encountered by two significant personalities in today’s Gospel, Simeon and Anna. The two had been waiting for the Lord’s revelation and his arrival. It was not just the fulfillment of their personal desire but also the fulfillment of God’s promise in the Old Testament.
This has been fulfilled as it was witnessed by the two in their encounter with the Holy Family that also completely transformed their lives and drew ever more their hearts towards the Lord.
There are two invitations for us that we discover in the encounter of Simeon and Anna with Jesus in the temple.
First, like Simeon who was able to hold the young Jesus in his arms, let us allow God to encounter us that we may be able to hold him in our arms. Holding God in our arms is more than feeling his presence but being convinced of his presence in our life. To hold God in our arms also means to be in touched with God, with ourselves and with what surrounds us that include our brothers and sisters and the rest of God’s creation. To hold God is to be welcoming to all.
Second, like Anna who desired and longed to meet the Lord, let us also have that desire in our heart to meet God whenever and wherever we are at this very moment. Let us remember, if we desire to encounter God, God desires it all the more to encounter us. And may our encounter with Jesus cast out our anxiety, boredom and doubts for his presence brings us joy, freshness and life.
Like them, we may become convinced in what we believe by translating our faith not just into words but also into concrete actions of love and kindness. Hinaut pa.
Today’s Gospel story presents us two kinds of response towards the presence of Jesus. The first was with the man who had an unclean spirit and second was with the people who approached Jesus after the healing of the man.
Let us see a quick look into each kind of response and discover God’s presence today.
First was with the man who had an unclean spirit. This man had been dwelling among the tombs, was very strong and self-destructive. Jesus did not look for him but it was the man with unclean spirit who initiated to met Jesus. But why? The unclean spirit in him knew very much that it could not hide from God. However, what was interesting here was the conversation between the two.
The man with unclean spirit revealed to Jesus that there were many evil spirits dwelling in the man, thus, called Legion. Legion is not actually a name but only refers to the number of evil spirits dwelling in the man. This is why the man seemed to be very strong that no chain could restrain him. He must have been pushed away by the people in his community because of his sickness and because of his destructive behavior. There among the tombs, the evil spirits could only do harm to him.
Moreover, such encounter with Jesus revealed how helpless the evil spirits against Jesus. They were terrified in his presence. They knew Jesus very well and even named him to take control over Jesus. In their fear, they tried to intimidate Jesus by revealing that there were many evil spirits in the man. However, Jesus seemed not to be disturbed by this intimidation by the evil spirits. Jesus knew the nature and the agenda of these evil spirits. They desired to bring destruction, suffering, pain and death.
Nevertheless, though they were many but they could not kill the man because of the image of God in every man and woman. This was the reason why they “begged” Jesus to allow them to transfer to a herd of swine. Indeed, the evil spirits brought destruction and death to the herd by drowning at sea.
And the man? He was healed and freed from the slavery of sin and evil. The man returned in his right mind, regained his dignity and claimed himself, loved and forgiven by God. Such change and transformation in him drew him more towards the Lord. The man realized the great presence of God and so he expressed to follow Jesus. However, there was another turning point here. Jesus did not allow him to follow him but instead, the man was commanded to go home to his family and to announce to the people his story of God finding him and him reclaiming himself. Certainly, the man went off and proclaimed how God manifested the grace of forgiveness and life in the Decapolis, meaning, ten cities.
This is a story that tells us of God’s way of bringing transformation and change in our life and making such grace into a fountain of encounter with God by making us His witnesses, preachers and apostles to others.
The second response towards the presence of Jesus was with the people in the territory of Gerasenes. When the people saw and witnessed themselves that the man they knew who was possessed with an unclean spirit regained himself and was in his right mind, “they were seized with fear.” This is how the Gospel of Mark described their reaction.
What kind of fear was that then? Were they not supposed to be happy, instead of being afraid? They were really seized with fear because they realized how the power of Jesus could bring significant changes in their life. That change in their life was that something which made them terrified. The people were already comfortable at how they lived their life. It was acceptable to them that a self-destructive man was there living among the tombs. It was comfortable to them to make everything as usual. It was beneficial to them to remain in that state of life.
The people did not want change and transformation in their life. They did not want to confront the evils in their community and in their lives because they have become so used to them and because it will cost them so much. Changing one’s life according to God’s desire will require them to let go of what was old, what was usual, what was comfortable and what was only beneficial for them. Thus, they cannot accept change. They cannot accept forgiveness and new life with Jesus.
This was the reason why they begged Jesus to leave their district. Jesus did leave because the Lord does not impose his power to us. Though God is almighty but God does not threaten us.
Yet, though the people pushed Jesus away from their life, God would not also surrender. God remains hopeful and always sees opportunities and ways to bring us back to Him. That is why, Jesus sent the healed and forgiven man back to his family to preach and to tell his story. That changed and transformed man was to bring people back to God. This tells us that when God is pushed away, God makes a way. Hinaut pa.
What is your imagination of demon? If we would type the word “demon” on google and see the images of demons, you would see pictures of ugly creatures, with horns, and tails and ugly wings. Those are images of monsters. Some images actually also show the demons in Japanese animès. Moreover, even with our consciousness today, we also imagine a demon portrayed in those images with ugly faces.
Nevertheless, how correct really are we in imagining and realizing those demons, and the demons around us and within us? Yes, demons do not only exist outside of us but demons also can be in us.
Healing and freedom from the slavery of demons had been part of the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. That is why, bringing freedom to those who were possessed and oppressed by demons or evil spirits was a sign of God’s Kingdom made present on earth. With this reality, it would be good for us now to look closely at the Gospel story this Sunday and let us see how Jesus unfolds his invitation for us to be free and real.
The Gospel of Mark which is believed to be the first Gospel ever written in the New Testament presents to us the first miracle of Jesus. This is revealed to us through the encounter of Jesus with a demon and his power over the demon. And because this passage is filled with images, it is important to explore the verses one by one.
First, it has been established that Jesus taught in the Synagogue with “authority” unlike the scribes who seemed to be too academic and distant in their teaching. It means that the people could really understand what Jesus taught and they were able to see the realities in their life through the scriptures because of Jesus’ way of teaching.
Our first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy reminds of this authority in Jesus. Remember, in that passage, Moses proclaimed to the people how the Lord God shall raise up a prophet to whom the people shall listen. Jesus is that prophet promised by the Lord God. Through the mouth of Jesus, God speaks. This means that the very words of Jesus, indeed, do not only carry authority but also God’s power.
Second, inside the synagogue or a “Jewish House of Prayer” there was a man with an “unclean spirit.” In the New Testament, the description “unclean spirit” is basically understood in the context of demonic possession, of a spirit that is resistant to the holy presence of God.
But wait, if this unclean spirit was in a house of prayer, does it mean that it can enter a holy place? Yes, this should not surprise us because a demon can pretend and appear righteous. Well, this tells us now that unclean spirits or demons can be everywhere and can even be with a person who seems to be so religious, good and pious.
This was the case of that possessed man inside the synagogue. Remember, the unclean spirit was there among the people listening to the words of Jesus. Yet, it cannot stand for long at the holy presence of Jesus. This was the reason why, the man cried out. This shows us of the attitude of a demon towards the presence of the Lord. The demon became so insecure and frightened over the presence of Jesus.
Third, because of the insecurity of the demon, it tried to take control Jesus by naming the Lord. The demon said, “you are the Holy One of God.” Remember again, in biblical times once you are able to give name to something, you gain control and power over that thing. This was what the demon did to Jesus. However, Jesus is much powerful than the unclean spirit.
As a result, the demon was commanded by Jesus to keep quiet and come out from the man. And it did, the man was freed and was healed because that demon was dominated by a healing and forgiving presence of Jesus. Yes, any demon that will have an encounter with God will certainly be defeated because demons are always insecure, anxious and fearful before the holy presence of God.
This helps us now to realize that demons, these unclean spirits are real. Though, we might also have some misconceptions about demons. For us to be able to recognize the demons or the unclean spirit, we need a proper understanding about them.
Demons are not as exactly as we see in many literatures, movies and pictures on the internet. Demons appear to be ordinary and hide in those subtle forms in our society and even in our individual lives. This was the case of the man in the Gospel. That man with unclean spirit only came out later when he cannot endure anymore the presence of Jesus. Demons live with us and could even be in each of us, hiding in us and in our hearts.
Today’s Gospel tells a reality in our human life that we too might be possessed even without our own knowledge. The people in the synagogue may not be fully aware of that unclean spirit because they were all in a House of Prayer. There is a need for us to recognize, be aware and to “name” our demon/s big or small. Demons lead us to believe that they do not exist so that we will not be able to name them, thus, will not be able to take control over them and cast them out.
I want to invite you now to bring ourselves into a deeper reflection, first with our own lives, and then in our society.
First. The unclean spirit can be that “feeling of insecurity” that makes a person always jealous and suspicious to his/her partner to the point of controlling and manipulating the other. This could also be that insecurity that leads a person accumulate wealth at the expense of others through corruption and deceit in our work, business or profession.
Second. A demon can also be that attitude of anxiety and fear that paralyzes us to take risks in investing in our relationships because of our traumatic experiences. Or our complacency in life that makes us indifferent to those who are suffering and in need.
Third. An unclean spirit can also be our own arrogance believing that we are righteous enough before God and so we do not need the grace of forgiveness. Or of that arrogance believing that our opinions and viewpoints in life are perfect to the point that we refuse to listen to what God and others are saying to us.
Fourth. A demon can be our own addictions and destructive habits that we have developed in many years. This could also be those oppressive and abusive mentality and culture that promotes death, indifference and hatred in our society.
Fifth. An unclean spirit can also be that feeling of guilt, yes, those guilt feelings that we have that make us believe that our sins are too great to be forgiven by God. Such guilt could trap us into a habit of self-pity, self-disgust, and shame. The demon will make us incapable of either forgiving ourselves, forgiving others and in fully accepting God’s gift of forgiveness and healing to each of us.
Thus, name demons in us both within ourselves and also in our society; this is the call for us this Sunday.
But remember, we cannot defeat demons or those unclean spirits by ourselves alone. Seek the help of friends who can help us or professionals who can guide us as we face our personal demons. Join groups, communities and the Church too in confronting the evils and demons present in our society. However, let us not forget God’s tremendous power in giving us complete healing and reconciliation, freedom and life. In the presence of Jesus, demons will be frightened. So, let us also listen to Jesus’ teachings and build personal relationship with him through the Church. Hinaut pa.
To show to others what we have in us is not entirely an expression of “showing off” or arrogance. To show off oneself comes from an attitude that only seek attention and affirmation from others. Showing arrogance does not necessarily also show to others the quality of what we have in us. Thus, “to show to others what we have” is a call to be generous towards others. This does not seek affirmation or attention or recognition or even seeking to be above others because of what we have.
Such attitude is something that the Gospel today is calling us to develop. Jesus said to his disciples “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” Jesus challenged the disciples to learn from him and that is to be generous enough to share what they’ve got. The lamp that carries the light is the gift that we have in us. We are the lamp and Jesus is the light.
This generous attitude of oneself is the very way of life that Jesus showed to us and revealed in our Scriptures. Jesus showed the light of God to the people. That light in Jesus made people to recognise God and brought them towards healing, freedom and life. Despite the resistance of the arrogant and the self-righteous as well as of those who were powerful, Jesus did not hide himself but continued to show the light to the people. His life, indeed, is meant to be shared even in death.
This was what Jesus was calling his disciples to do. Many will try to put off the light. The disciples may experience fear and will try to hide the light. However, the light shall never be put off for it will continue to shine in the darkness.
The great St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican philosopher and theologian is another example of an person who had been so generous in terms of sharing his wisdom and knowledge to the Church. His scholarly works in philosophy and theology had become foundations in scholarship that helped the Church deepen her knowledge of the faith.
For us today who have heard these words from Jesus through our Scriptures, we too are called to share generously the gifts that we have in us. As Christians, we have Jesus in us, thus, share the Lord generously to our brothers and sisters through our charity and availability of our presence. Our gifts and talents, resources and capacities are also called to be shared generously because they can also serve as light for those who need our help and assistance.
By showing what we’ve got, we may add more light into our community darkened by indifference, by loneliness and by death. Hinaut pa.
Have you ever wondered why this parable is called the “Parable of the Sower” when in fact Jesus was mostly telling us about the soil and the seeds. It should rather be called as the Parable of the Soil or Parable of the Seeds, isn’t it? But then, it is really not. This is certainly a Parable of the Sower.
The parable tells us about the Sower, a farmer who planted the seeds on the ground. So, let us discover a bit deeper now the identity of this Sower and his attitude towards the soil and the seeds.
The Sower of the seeds in the parable is Jesus himself. Jesus comes to the field in order to plant the seed of the Gospel. This the good news that God has come to bring us salvation and to make us joyful forever. Yes, the good news itself is God’s offer of friendship and his gift of salvation.
However, have you been keen enough to listen to this parable to notice how the Sower sowed the seeds? As the parable tells us, the Sower scattered the seeds all over the place. It was not just in a particular place because there were also seeds that fell on the path, on rocky grounds, and among thorns. This means that the sower was not conscious enough to just scatter the seeds in a particular good soil, prepared well for that purpose of planting. What the Sower did was to scatter the seeds all around and all over the place. This means that the sower sowed generously the seeds without discriminating the type of soil to which the seeds landed.
Well, this might not be really the case of those sowers during the time of Jesus. They might be more conscious in scattering mostly to the good soil. However, for the purpose of the message of this parable, such attitude of the sower in this story revealed something about the God-Sower in the world.
Yes, the actions and the attitude of the Sower with the seeds sown and with the soil, really reveals something about that Sower. Jesus tells us that the reason why he came to live among us and to die for us is not just for those who were already righteous and saints. Jesus came in order to let everyone of us, sinners and saints, good people and bad people alike, young and old, rich and poor to feel and know his love and to enjoy God’s gift of friendship.
This reveals to us God’s generosity to each of us. God knows that we are not deserving of his love, that we are not worthy to be saved by this gracious God. Jesus knows that very well. However, this does not matter to God whether we are deserving or not. What really matters is God’s movement of love for each of us, that we will all be reconciled to God.
This is what we have heard in today’s first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. This Letter tells us of the priesthood of Jesus and the sacrifice he had made on the cross by giving himself for our sake. The priests of the Temple of God in Jerusalem would always offer animal sacrifices pleasing to God as an atonement of the sins of the people. However, through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, that became “one sacrifice for sins.” The life of Jesus became the very seed sown to us so that we will grow in friendship with God, reconciled and forgiven.
Thus, Jesus chooses to sow and plant his love in each of us because God is giving us chances. God gives us the opportunity to change and to choose Him. God gives us the chance to choose life rather than death, to choose to be happy rather than to be angry and sad, to choose to be fruitful rather than to be fruitless, to choose hope rather than fear, to choose freedom from sin rather than imprisonment from it, to choose love rather than hatred. For this reason, Jesus sows in order for us to grow with him.
This attitude of God gives us the confidence now that even God has hopes for us. God sees hope in each of us. God sees potentials in us. God is so hopeful for you and me that we will not remain drowning by our own fears, failures and sins. This is the good news for us today because Jesus is abundantly sowing his love and mercy for us.
May I invite you now that as we offer our prayers to Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, who allowed the presence of God to grow in her heart, like her, let us observe few moments of silence in reflecting and relishing the generosity of Jesus, the God-Sower of hope and of many chances. Hinaut pa.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 