The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be open to the prompting of the Spirit as we ponder our experience of healing and belonging.
The reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians declares the True Wisdom and Spirit of God.
* [2:13] In spiritual terms: the Spirit teaches spiritual people a new mode of perception (1 Cor 2:12) and an appropriate language by which they can share their self-understanding, their knowledge about what God has done in them. The final phrase in 1 Cor 2:13 can also be translated “describing spiritual realities to spiritual people,” in which case it prepares for 1 Cor 2:14–16.
* [2:14] The natural person: see note on 1 Cor 3:1.
* [2:15] The spiritual person…is not subject to judgment: since spiritual persons have been given knowledge of what pertains to God (1 Cor 2:11–12), they share in God’s own capacity to judge. One to whom the mind of the Lord (and of Christ) is revealed (1 Cor 2:16) can be said to share in some sense in God’s exemption from counseling and criticism. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God.
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals the Man with an Unclean Spirit.
* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).
* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that the Evil One was trying to convince the man in today’s story that he was a “demoniac”. Jesus healed him to be who and what he was, a man”. This is an aspect of the redemptive mission of Jesus. He saves each to be an “each” a real individual male or female created again and again from the destructive influences of the Evil One.
The “man” was returned to his sense of belonging and to be at home first and then go next door, not to fine himself, but reveal his goodness, his “godness”. Our redeemed goodness is the God-Life within us which Jesus shares with us in the Eucharist and the other sacraments and all the ways He offers us our “eachness” our acceptance that we do belong. Receive it well, believe it gently and go next door where you also belong. (Gillick, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “New creation begins on the Sabbath,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"He describes the works of divine healing begun on the sabbath day, to show from the outset that the new creation began where the old creation ceased. He showed us that the Son of God is not under the law but above the law, and that the law will not be destroyed but fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). For the world was not made through the law but by the Word, as we read: 'By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established' (Psalm 33:6). Thus the law is not destroyed but fulfilled, so that the renewal of humankind, already in error, may occur. The apostle too says, 'Stripping yourselves of the old man, put on the new, who was created according to Christ' (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22,24). He fittingly began on the sabbath, that he may show himself as Creator. He completed the work that he had already begun by weaving together works with works. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.58) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:31-37 comments that Jesus’ words are not only for teaching us and imparting wisdom. They have the power to bring real change in our lives.
What do you need today? Are you anxious about your future? You can take Jesus’ words, “It is I. Do not be afraid” (John 6:20), and let them wash over your soul. Do you need assurance that the Lord has taken you by the hand? You can ponder his promise, “I am the good shepherd [who] lays down his life for the sheep (10:11). Is guilt from the past still eating at you? You can hear Jesus say to you, “Neither do I condemn you” (8:11) and be set free from shame.
It’s true that Jesus wants to lead you in truth and wisdom. But he also wants to heal you and deliver you and fill you with his grace and power. He wants to speak to you—today!
“Jesus, help me experience the power of your word today.” (Meditation on Luke 4:31-37, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the conflict between Greek philosophy of the spiritual being and the teaching of Paul that Jesus declares that human material existence is filled with the Spirit of God. The “Holy One of God” is both a healer and the source of awe to the people in the synagogue at Capernaum. Friar Jude reminds us that we defeat the Evil One by putting Jesus at the centre of our life experience.
Brian McLaren describes how contemplative spirituality supported his love for God in nature’s depth and beauty. He invites listeners to recall looking at nature through a “child’s eyes” and what those experiences revealed.
It might’ve been being at the beach and seeing a flock of seagulls in flight that suddenly made you aware of beauty in a way you’d never felt it before, or it may have been the first dog that you really knew, loved, and connected with. It helped you think of intelligence that was different than your own, and beautiful in its own unique way. It might’ve been some other scene where you felt sacredness, and holiness, and depth in the natural world. It’s easy for us … to forget that childlike wonder at this beautiful world. We don’t need to put God and nature in competition. Nature is God’s original self-expression. (McLaren, n.d.)
We are reminded that we are spiritual beings that respond to the Spirit of God that we witness in others and Nature.
References
Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090324.html
Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?
McLaren, B. (n.d.). There Is No Competition. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/there-is-no-competition/
Meditation on Luke 4:31-37. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/09/03/1065985/
1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/2?
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?
Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Word Was with Authority and Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep3
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