4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B

The word of Jesus drives out unclean spirits

Deut 18:15-20 Ps 95:1-2, 6-7b, 7c-9 1 Cor 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28

In today’s gospel we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue. His teaching “made a deep impression” on the listeners. Why? “Because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.” Jesus taught with authority and conviction. When Jesus spoke that day in the synagogue he was challenged by an unclean spirit “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” But Jesus said sharply “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Jesus has authority to drive out unclean spirits, to silence them and to heal those afflicted. Jesus continues to teach us today and continues to drive out many unclean spirits. How are we to understand this, the driving out of unclean spirits? It depends on how we see the concept of unclean spirits. Sometimes we jump to images of devils and demons, or remember a scene from a movie like Poltergeist! But what unclean spirits is he wishing to drive out?

Well for sure an unclean spirit is not something desirable. Presumably its presence would lead to deleterious effects for the person infected or affected. Also it seems that it is powerful. The man possessed could not drive it out alone. However Jesus is stronger than the unclean spirit. His word dislodges the bad spirit. His truth is more powerful than lies and his light overcomes the darkness. So what are some examples of unclean spirits for us today? Let us not think that they do not exist today in our modern world. Certainly a fear can be an unclean spirit. It is good when we experience an irrational fear to pray to Jesus and put ourselves in his presence. To listen to his reassuring words that he is with us always. Often this alone brings peace and drives out unclean spirits. Sometimes an unclean spirit can be the holding of a grudge. It is unclean as it poisons our heart as does an indecent or sexual thought which can wreak havoc, attacking our eye and giving us an impure gaze. In a similar way when we don’t forgive someone it can be like an unclean spirit in us. Where outright sin is involved, the unclean spirit will not budge but thanks be to God we can listen to Jesus telling us “Be quiet! Come out of him!” in the sacrament of reconciliation.

Sometimes the unclean spirit is a distorted truth which we hold on to in our intellect, often subconsciously. An example of an unclean spirit which resides in the intellect is the notion that the world population is exploding and the only solution is widespread contraception. It is an unclean spirit that destroys human life in many countries, especially the developing ones. Why? Because its first world proponents instead of devoting their efforts to doing good for humanity, pour thousands of millions of dollars into contraceptive programs which include widespread sterilization and abortion. To make the coercion worse, aid packages are often offered on the condition that the country submits to the population control programs offered.

If we listen to Jesus we can drive out this unclean spirit. He continues to speak through the teaching office of the Church. Reading the document “Ethical and Pastoral Dimensions of Population Trends” will help us to listen to the voice of Jesus. Read it and it will make a deep impression on you. As the psalmist tells us, “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.” On population the Church teaches that “much of the information published about demographic facts is open to question and is erroneous at times” such that all Christians are encouraged to “develop a critical spirit regarding the population crisis ideology.” When Pope Paul VI spoke to the United Nations in 1965 he said “You must strive to multiply bread so that it suffices for the tables of mankind, and not rather favour an artificial control of birth, which would be irrational, in order to diminish the number of guests at the banquet of life."

A disciple is someone open to learn from the Master. To come to Jesus and be taught by him. Many people today will use their travel time to be better informed of church teaching – reading a spiritual book or church document, or even downloading by iPod or MP3 talks and homilies to listen to on their journey. How are you forming your mind? What are you reading on the train or bus? Jesus, continue to teach us! Help us to be open. May the constant desire to search for the truth drive out many false ideas in our minds. May listening to your voice in the Church teaching help drive out many unclean spirits. Jesus, continue to teach us! Make us good students and willing disciples. May your words, spoken in us and through our lives, continue to drive out many unclean spirits in us, in others and in our society of today. Amen.