The Gospel according to Luke (4:31-37)
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,
and he cried out in a loud voice,
“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
“What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.”
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
Reflection:
Does it seem odd to you, my friends, that here, in the 22nd Week of Ordinary Time, we are suddenly back at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum? If you were at Mass this last Saturday, you heard the Gospel from Matthew chapter 25, the portion just prior to Matthew’s sharing of Jesus’ story of the Last Judgment (the parable of the sheep & the goats). I was wondering a bit why we suddenly go back to the start of Jesus’ ministry in Luke, but there’s a very practical reason. Matthew chapter 26 begins the Passion narrative, so we won’t hear that until Lent.
In Luke chapter 4, we first had the rejection by Jesus’ former neighbors and friends in Nazareth, his childhood home. Immediately after that, Jesus moves to Capernaum, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It became His “home base” for the remainder of His time on earth. I was especially blessed 3-1/2 years ago now, to get to preach at the church that stands over the ruins of St Peter’s home in Capernaum, right on the shore of the sea. It still makes me pinch myself to say that was real as it seems so utterly impossible to imagine for me.
I think that same feeling of just being overwhelmed applies to today’s Gospel reading. In this seafaring town, the people are described as being “amazed” and “astonished”. Jesus spoke like no ordinary Jewish rabbi. The rabbis of that time only spoke on the authority of others. Most often, they spoke on the authority of the rabbi whom they followed. Jesus acts on His own authority. He has no one else to point to. As we know now, that caused no end of headaches and suspicion to the Jewish leaders (the scribes & Pharisees, most notably, throughout the Gospels).
It is a very important point. So many nowadays are able to claim that they are “an authority” online, and in our lives. How do we know who we can trust and who is just saying things that have no basis at all in reality or fact? As it relates to human knowledge, it’s a question without a clear answer (perhaps the least clear answer we have ever seen, in my opinion). As it relates to the words of Jesus and the faith that He taught to His disciples in an unbroken line down to today, there is no doubt that we can trust Jesus’ words. If that is true, we must also trust those whom He entrusted His ministry after His earthly ministry ended: the Apostles, and through them the line of bishops all the way to today.
In a way, it makes our lives so much easier! There’s a scene in the online show “The Chosen” where Matthew is pointing out that his life used to be full of concern and worry. But, then, he learned through following Jesus that he had only one thing to do each day: “Follow Him. The rest takes care of itself.” Now, Matthew may not have actually said those words in real life, but they are so true! That is all we have to do today and every day. If we live out that action (to follow Jesus), the rest of our days *will* take care of themselves. And, think of all we could do for His Kingdom if we and every follower of Jesus did likewise!
Action for the Day:
No matter what part of the day you are reading or hearing this reflection, take time now (if you can) in the quiet of your own heart and say that, for today, you will do your best to “Follow Him”. Ask Jesus to show you how that will work out for you in practical terms, and then see what He shows you!
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Thanks Chuck – I needed that direction today.