1Thes 5:1-6,9-11, Ps 27:1 4,13-14, Lk 4:31-37
Today’s readings remind us that we can be confident of God’s power to overcome evil. We should not be afraid of the unknown. The scripture says don’t be afraid of the dark or the boogey man. Of course, as adults we aren’t afraid of boogey men anymore and probably not the dark as such. But that doesn’t mean we have succeeded in putting aside all our fears.
The Thessalonians were worried that they would die before Jesus returned and therefore not be part of the glory to come. Remember this is still soon enough after Jesus died that Christians were thinking Jesus was returning in their lifetime to begin the kingdom of God. They saw it as a kingdom in this life and they didn’t want to miss it. Paul is saying no matter when Jesus comes believers will be part of God’s Kingdom. He reminds them to continue doing what they have done, encouraging one another and being good people.
In the Gospel we are given a story of how Jesus literally frees a person from the grip of the devil. Everyone is amazed except the evil spirit. He knows exactly who is in charge … God, which is the point of the story. The story tells us in no uncertain terms that God is in charge and can vanquish any evil and not injure us in the process.
Generally, these days we don’t run into people possessed by evil spirits anymore than we are afraid of boogey men. However, the question is what are we afraid of? Are we like the Thessalonians overly concerned about being left out? Trying to figure every angle so we aren’t caught off guard? Afraid that no matter what we do life will somehow sneak up and steal away what is ours? Perhaps we have encountered nasty people or been hurt by others to the point where pulling away and resisting new connections has become part of who we are? Do we simply think the world is a dangerous place keep our guard up all the time?
Perhaps in these cases the crucial question is, if we’re the one who is afraid where does that evil spirit live? I think it is a question of how we react to the world around us. Does the world shape who we are and mold us into fearful, possessed people? Or do we decide that God has given us a life that has beauty and grace. Even though there are challenges will we continue to create in His image? I think we can caste out the unclean spirits from our lives by knowing that God is with us. We have the freedom and authority to act as Jesus did. Because to believe in Jesus is to recognize we are not alone and that God’s presence is always giving us the freedom to act in our own lives. That is the authority that the people of Capernaum saw in Jesus. A person who knew he was free to make the world a better place by what he decided to do in each moment of his life.
