The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to assess the conflicts with the “demons” in our lives and seek the reconciliation path offered by the Spirit.
In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David Flees from Jerusalem and Shimei curses him.
Psalm 3 seeks trust in God under adversity.
* [Psalm 3] An individual lament complaining of enemies who deny that God will come to the rescue (Ps 3:2–3). Despite such taunts the psalmist hopes for God’s protection even in sleep (Ps 3:4–7). The Psalm prays for an end to the enemies’ power to speak maliciously (Ps 3:8) and closes peacefully with an expression of trust (Ps 3:9). (Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac.
* [5:1] The territory of the Gerasenes: the reference is to pagan territory; cf. Is 65:1. Another reading is “Gadarenes”; see note on Mt 8:28.
* [5:2–6] The man was an outcast from society, dominated by unclean spirits (Mk 5:8, 13), living among the tombs. The prostration before Jesus (Mk 5:6) indicates Jesus’ power over evil spirits.
* [5:7] What have you to do with me?: cf. Mk 1:24 and see note on Jn 2:4.
* [5:9] Legion is my name: the demons were numerous and the condition of the possessed man was extremely serious; cf. Mt 12:45.
* [5:11] Herd of swine: see note on Mt 8:30.
* [5:19] Go home: Jesus did not accept the man’s request to remain with him as a disciple (Mk 5:18), yet invited him to announce to his own people what the Lord had done for him, i.e., proclaim the gospel message to his pagan family; cf. Mk 1:14, 39; 3:14; 13:10. (Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Andy Alexander, S.J. comments that it can be wonderfully grace-filled and liberating to do an honest examination of the "demons" that trouble our lives and our relationships with others.
Lord, Jesus, I know your heart goes out to me in my struggles. I know you have authority over all the forces of evil. Please purify my heart by driving out the demons that compromise my peace, my joy, my freedom, my ability to love the way you have loved me. (Alexander, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “The God-Man beheld,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).
"Yes, he is recognized by demons (Luke 4:33-34, Mark 1:23-24), drives out demons (Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34), drowns deep a legion of spirits (Matthew 8:32; Mark 5:9,13; Luke 8:30,33) and sees the prince of demons falling like lightning (Luke 10:18). He is stoned, yet not hit (John 8:59; 10:31,39); he prays yet he hears prayer (Matthew 8:13; Mark 1:35). He weeps (John 11:35), yet he puts an end to weeping (Luke 7:13; 8:522; 23:28). He asks where Lazarus is (John 11:34) - he was man; yet he raises Lazarus (John 11:43-44) - he was God." (excerpt from ORATION 29, ON THE SON 20) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 5:1-20 comments that sometimes following Jesus means making a dramatic change—like when Jesus called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their careers as fishermen and travel with him. But sometimes following Jesus means staying right where you are and making a difference there.
Staying in the same place doesn’t always look exciting, but it can sometimes take more courage to do God’s work right where you are. Each of us has a different calling; no two will look the same. Jesus knew what was best for this former demoniac, and he knows what is best for you. If parts of your life—a job, family duties, a home—feel stuck, Jesus may be nudging you to make changes. But prayerfully consider a different perspective: maybe he wants you to be an agent of his love right where you are.
“Jesus, help me to grow in holiness and share your message no matter where I am.” (Meditation on Mark 5:1-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the attitude of David to the revolt of Absalom and the curse of Shimei as a punishment as a result of God’s curse on him, that he is willing to accept. The demoniac is possessed by evil spirits who, like the centurion at the foot of the Cross recognize the Son of God as truly present. Friar Jude reminds us that Mark describes a nature miracle, an exorcism, and a healing miracle that would indicate to the people that Jesus could do it all.
Brian McLaren and Gareth Higgins create a tale of the origin of seven stories ( The Seventh Story: Us, Them, and the End of Violence ) of how humans—The People—interact and live with one another.
They were destined to fail because they invited every human being, who is already interdependent with every other human being, and even with the earth itself, to pretend instead that we are in a competition.… The poet had a radical idea, the seed of a Seventh Story that will heal the world.… In the Seventh Story, the story of reconciliation, we still get to win, just not at anybody else’s expense. In the Seventh Story, human beings are not the protagonists of the world. Love is. (McLaren & Higgins, 2024)
We ponder the nature of the “Legion” of demons that distort our health and understanding of our God given mission to be agents of mercy, trust, and love in our environment.
References
Alexander, A. (2024, January 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/012924.html
Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/5?
McLaren, B., & Higgins, G. (2024, January 29). The Stories That Don't Work — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-stories-that-dont-work/
Meditation on Mark 5:1-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/29/884755/
Psalms, PSALM 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/3?2
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Tell Them How Much the Lord Has Done for You. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan29
2 Samuel, CHAPTER 15 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/15
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