“If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you will be at rest.”
These are the words of wisdom and advice coming from Corrie (Cornelia) Ten Boom, a Christian Dutch Nazi-concentration camp survivor who experienced & surpassed not only the cruelty & inhumanity of Nazis people during the war the indifference of her fellow prisoners but also her own unfreedom/ helplessness in the concentration camps.
We may not have the same experience with Corrie in life, but we do have a sense & we could easily relate with her words of wisdom & advice. It is distressing indeed to look at world today. With the limitations & difficulties we are going through not only now during but even before pandemic, life has been quite stressful & distressful nowadays. No wonder cases & concerns for mental health nowadays are also on the rise, because if & when we look within ourselves, life has also been depressing. The disappointments, frustrations, worries, anger, & helplessness we are going through now, caused by our distressing, inconvenient & limiting world, could be so depressing, bounding & possessing. (mahigtan ug matuok ta, sa ato pa makapabuang nato).
Not unlike with our demoniac or the possessed man in our gospel today. Dramatic may our gospel be, we cannot deny that the man is already possessed & overburdened by his demons and crushed by people’s stigma on him. Like him, with our distressing world & depressing selves, we may also have felt possessed, burdened, & shackled by a lot of things going on & happening in our lives nowadays.
But most significant in our gospel today is when the demoniac “catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him”. In other words, he looked & gazed on Jesus, went near, & bowed down not only in fear but more so in respect & honor to pray to Jesus. In the same way, if & whenever we also recognize, welcome & allow God thru His Son Jesus into our lives, we will be at peace & at rest, even in midst of our today’s distressing world & depressing self. Not only that, we will be also free from our life- shackles (kadena/higot) & receive a new direction & mission in life. So, For hope & direction, never stop looking at & looking for Jesus in life.
Corrie Ten Boom indeed is correct to advise us on life: “If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you will be at rest.”
Another way of saying this: “If you cannot sleep, stop counting the sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.”
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.
In the world of showbiz, some aspiring movie actors and actresses, just starting in their showbiz career, resort to time-tested gimmicks! Publicly, they give out controversial statements. Others are even more daring: by behaving or actually engaging in scandalous affairs! All these are done for publicity, just to get the attention of the public; and become the “talk of the town”! They want to promote their popularity! With the availability of the social media, some even enjoy recording their statements or compromising behaviour, and feed these to the social media, hoping that these will go “viral” and they become the famous and “talk of the town”!
In today’s Gospel, Jesus, did not have to resort to any of these gimmicks to catch the attention of his audience and to become “the talk of the town”! Jesus’ intent was to tell the people that the kingdom of God is already present! In the synagogue, one Sabbath, Jesus did two things that spontaneously caught the people’s attention!
He taught “with authority” so different from the way of the authorized teachers, the scribes!
He commanded the evil spirit to get out of a man who happened to be also there in the synagogue.
The people in the synagogue, according to Mark (1:27), “were amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’”
In Jesus’ culture and time, people who went beyond their designated area of expertise were practically unheard of. If there were, they could easily get into a big trouble! Jesus was born into a family of carpenters and artisans. He neither had a formal training in teaching nor was he ever affiliated with the group of the scribes! Some who were there were indeed shocked, yet to them, Jesus came across as one teaching with authority! They had never witnessed such kind of a teacher before!
And as if that was not enough, Jesus also exhibited a power that was stronger than that of the evil spirit whom he commanded to get out from a man it possessed. In Jesus’ time people, like many of us Asians, had a strong belief in spirits, good and bad! They believed that these spirits had a stronger power over human beings. But their power was less than that of God’s! These spirits were capable of interfering in human lives either for good or for bad. They had power to control human behaviour and to “possess” humans, as in the case of that man!
To break and counter the spell of these spirits, one must know and call out the name and true identity of the spirit! In today’s Gospel, it was the spirit which first called out and revealed the true identity of Jesus, as “the holy one of God”! [v.24]. But instead of conquering Jesus, the other way round happened! Jesus conquered the evil spirit and drove it out of the man. Where did Jesus get this power? Who is this Jesus? His power is stronger than that of any human person! Is Jesus’ power from God or from some lesser gods or spirits?
Whereas movie personalities use gimmicks to draw attention to them and gain popularity, Jesus wanted to draw and focus the attention of the people to the reality that indeed, the Kingdom of God “has come near”. Jesus simply wanted to connect the people to this God, who loves and cares for them!
Jesus used his God-given authority and power to enlighten and to free people, from anything that would hinder them from living as dignified and honorable sons and daughters of God! Jesus freed the possessed man, restored his dignity and honor, and released him from the power of the unclean spirit. Now this man can reclaim his rightful place in the community!
How do you use your God-given authority, talent, and power? For what purpose do you use these? Do you truly believe in the power of Jesus, so much so that you do not allow evil to deceive, intimidate, scare, or bully you?
Mark wrote [1:28] that the people were the ones who spread the fame of Jesus! Are you among those who do your part to continue in spreading the fame of Jesus and his Gospel?
To possess material wealth is not evil. Material wealth is God’s gift to us. However, material wealth becomes a problem if we would allow this to possess us. This becomes problematic especially among families who have wealth to inherit. This causes conflicts and misunderstanding that would even reach to lawsuits and broken family relations. This is something we have heard in today’s Gospel from a man who asked Jesus to help him so that he too will have a share from his family inheritance. Indeed, we might believe that to possess so much wealth will give us security and joy.
However, this is not the case because the more we possess things, the more we also become insecure and anxious. Just observe ourselves. The more a person possess wealth, the more the person becomes defensive. High walls are built to protect a rich house, sometimes with electric current running 24/7 on barb wires and with a 24-hour security personnel. And when the person becomes unaware of his/her unquenchable desire to possess more, then, the heart turns greedy and insecure, and even corrupt and oppressive.
Jesus warns us of our tendency to be greedy and the danger of being possessed by greed. Greed comes from a heart that believes in self-containment and self-satisfaction and that desires total independence from God. But then, material things could never quench our greatest desire to be satisfied and fulfilled. Thus, a person will tend to accumulate more and possess more even at the expense of others.
This is how the cycle of corruption and oppression happen. When our desire becomes unsatisfiable, we become greedy of many things, who will tend to collect as many material things and wealth us much as possible.
Such attitude will not just appear in our heart out of nowhere. Sometimes, this has something to do from our childhood memories. A child who has been deprived from many things particularly of essential things in the child’s development such us food, shelter, toys and clothing and even affection and love from parents, may become a form of emptiness in the heart of a child. When the child becomes adult, that kind of experience could give the person the anxiety to be deprived again. Hence, in order to gratify such anxiety, the person could become a hoarder who accumulate things and possessions.
When this happens too, a hoarder or a greedy person is blinded to see the needs of others. It will be difficult for the person to open up and be generous to those who are in need around him or her because the person feels insecure every time he or she gives. The person would only look at his/herself and never to others. This is now an attitude of the heart that is truly being possessed by possessions.
Thus, Jesus said, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Jesus tells us that our life is more than our possessions.
Be mindful, then, of our possessive attitudes because these may affect and endanger our relationships with our families, friends and colleagues.
We may ask, what is it that possessed me? What are those that kept me from being free? We do not have to think of millions of pesos because even a single smartphone may possess us. Remember, when we put so much focus and attention to a material thing, it could make us indifferent, greedy and unkind towards others. Our attachment to a single smartphone may indeed, prevent us from giving more time, attention and focus towards our studies (for the students), or may prevent us from giving our affection and presence to our loved ones.
We believe that what gives us true satisfaction, freedom, joy and contentment is a life with God. Jesus calls today to have a life with Him and to let go of whatever that possessed us because this is the way of making ourselves free and happy. Then, by being free, we shall be able to let ourselves be satisfied truly by the Lord himself. In response, our self-satisfaction from the Lord will lead us to recognize that everything we have is God’s blessing that must be shared to others. Hinaut pa.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 