Demons and Denial

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, invite us to seek a new perception of our relationship to people and our social and political environment.

Danger in Denial

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims The True Wisdom.

* [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 declares that God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.

* [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.)

The Gospel of Luke presents The Cure of a Demoniac.

* [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.)

Kathy Kemler is reminded by the quote, (often attributed to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin) “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience”. When we attend to our spirit and take note of how we are being to ourselves, to God and to others, we can quickly notice what spirit is living inside in that moment.

Wow, might it be true that if we are conscious of our spiritual nature of Christ given to us in baptism, and allow that spirit to be within us and work through us that we might actually manifest these beautiful characteristics of God listed in the psalm? And what a beautiful world we might have if all of us could do that together. We would truly have peace on earth. The quote often attributable to Nelson Mandela encourages us, we must “Be the change we want to see in the world”. The desire planted in my heart today is to ask for the grace that I might be open to allow the spirit of Christ to be in me, to work through me so that I may experience that love and compassion and pour it out into the world. I invite you to find what’s in your heart and ask God for the grace to live into it. (Kemler, 2026)

Don Schwager “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.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts today. In the Reading from First Corinthians, Paul speaks about the Spirit. In Corinth the difficulty was a belief that the Spirit is superior to Christ. Corinthian ideas that Incarnation is decadent are addressed in presenting that the Spirit teaches how to have the mind of Christ. It is the Spirit who leads us to Christ and the deepest knowledge. When we experience “It rings true” it is the Spirit whispering to our being. In the passage from Luke, Jesus exorcises a demon in Capernaum. The demon, as a spiritual being, knows who Jesus is. Illness was considered as a form of possession in the ancient world. Friar Jude exhorts us to call upon Jesus to defeat the evil one. We have to hold on to Christ and remember Satan is a creature and God is the Creator.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:31-37 comments that Jesus continues to announce that the kingdom of God is at hand, through his living word in Scripture, through the witness of his life, and through the living example of his followers today.

Jesus longs for you to listen to his teachings with an open heart, just as the people of Capernaum did. So open your Bible and ponder his words. Listen closely to the words proclaimed in the Mass readings. Use your imagination to picture him living and acting in your midst today. By pondering his words and the way he lived, you’ll come to love him more and you’ll want to imitate him. Jesus really is better than even the best teacher you’ve ever had!

“Lord, help me to open my heart to your teachings!” (Meditation on Luke 4:31-37, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr introduces public theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber who highlights how Jesus’ teaching on “carrying your cross” was not intended to increase the suffering of those on the margins.

Maybe like you, I struggle with how this denying ourselves thing is good news.  And not just because of how that verse about picking up your cross has been perverted into messages like deny your Queerness, pick up your cross of heterosexuality and follow him. Or deny your dignity and pick up your cross of continued domestic abuse and follow him. 

Recently I’ve been wondering: if, when Jesus says deny yourself and follow me, that maybe it’s not about ensuring his followers are doormats. Maybe he’s inviting us to deny the part of us that wants to see itself as separate from God and others. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to come and fill our hearts with Love and desire to work to bring all the siblings of Jesus together.

References

Kemler, K. (2026, September 1). Daily Reflection September 1, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-1-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?31 

Meditation on Luke 4:31-37. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/09/01/1660701/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/2?10 

Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Cross of Self-Sufficiency. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-cross-of-self-sufficiency/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Word Was with Authority and Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 1, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Life of Holiness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to follow the call to holiness and to prioritize our action in support of the last who will become the first.

The Last shall be First

The reading from the First Letter of Peter is a call to Holy Living.

* [1:10–12] The Spirit of Christ (1 Pt 1:11) is here shown to have been present in the prophets, moving them to search, investigate, and prophesy about the grace of salvation that was to come (1 Pt 1:10), and in the apostles impelling them to preach the fulfillment of salvation in the message of Christ’s sufferings and glory (1 Pt 1:12).

* [1:13] Gird up the loins of your mind: a figure reminiscent of the rite of Passover when the Israelites were in flight from their oppressors (Ex 12:11), and also suggesting the vigilance of the Christian people in expectation of the parousia of Christ (Lk 12:35).

* [1:14–16] The ignorance here referred to (1 Pt 1:14) was their former lack of knowledge of God, leading inevitably to godless conduct. Holiness (1 Pt 1:15–16), on the contrary, is the result of their call to the knowledge and love of God. (1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World

* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9). (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus describes the First and Last.

Mike Cherney (2006) expresses the challenge he understands in the priorities suggested in the Gospel from Mark.

I find that I grow in my understanding of my faith through analogies to familial love. I find it more central to my being to have the experience of a worldly loving father and even the challenges presented by child, than to have the transcendent experience. I have felt the glow given by a loving God, but I admit my weakness and continue to hold my ultimate emotional investment in people in this world. I know some who have interpreted this passage in a sense more along the lines I would like to hear, but really have come to the conclusion that faith asks us to truly make the Lord and his offer of salvation our ultimate end. I recognize this does not mean giving up those I love, but only establishing a new set of priorities. (Cherney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The spiritual sense of leaving the family,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"Do not let this passage trouble you. Put it side by side with the still harder saying Jesus delivered in another place in the words, 'Whoever hates not father, and mother, and children, and his own life besides, cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:26). Note that the God of peace, who exhorts us to love our enemies, does not arbitrarily require us literally to hate or abandon those dearest to us. But if we are to love our enemies, it must be in accordance with right reason that, by analogy we should also love our nearest relatives... But insofar as one's father, or son, or brother, becomes for you a hindrance to faith or an impediment to godly life, one should then not collude with that temptation. Attend to the spiritual, rather than the fleshly, meaning of the command." (excerpt from SALVATION OF THE RICH MAN 22.13) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:28-31 comments that Jesus doesn’t keep time or measure progress the same way our boss or anybody else does. Everything depends on his free gift of grace—a gift that he offers us to the very end. That’s why “the last will be first” (Mark 10:31). It’s not necessarily because they will outrun the first; it’s because the people we consider “last” will be treated just as bountifully as the ones who we think are “first.”

This is an unusual race you’re running. The rules are stacked in your favor! So leave behind any frustration that you feel and start fresh today once again. Ask the Lord to show you his mercy in just the place you need it. Let that mercy remind you that it’s never too late to change or to try again.

“Jesus, thank you for your generous mercy.” (Meditation on Mark 10:28-31, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the path for the salvation of souls expressed in 1 Peter that involves suffering and dying may have been distasteful to early Christians. The Wisdom contained in verses, like that of the Suffering Servant, point to being consecrated and set aside so as not to conform to the values of the world. Friar Jude reminds us that Mark is not preaching the Gospel of Plenty but notes the life of Francis of Assisi, who was able to give all for the Kingdom and enjoy and celebrate the entire Creation.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Sharon Brous who draws on her Jewish tradition to name the dignity of every human being.

The call to awaken to the image of God, to the dignity of every person, has been the driving force of my religious life, the very heart of my faith…. What would it mean to build a society in which every person is treated as an image of the Divine? How would this affect our relationships with our neighbors, our coworkers, the stranger lying beneath the stained blankets and trash outside Starbucks? Wouldn’t it compel us to recast the cultures of our schools, organizations, and faith communities? How would it impact health care, education, public policy?… How would it transform law enforcement and criminal justice systems—where today judgment is too often rendered based on whether a person is Black or white, rich or poor, rather than guilty or innocent? (Rohr, n.d.)

We invoke the gifts of the Spirit for the patience and perseverance to participate in Jesus Way to fullness of life.

References

Cherney, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052824.html 

Meditation on Mark 10:28-31. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/28/980172/ 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1?10 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Knowing Our Neighbors. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/knowing-our-neighbors/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may28 

Law and Love

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the boundaries we observe when we follow Jesus in acting in love towards all people.

Love for all

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles the Council of Jerusalem proclaims James on Dietary Law.

* [15:13–35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)

Psalm 96 praises God Who Comes in Judgement

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus offers an admonition to remain in His Love.

* [15:1–17] Like Jn 10:1–5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Is 5:1–7; Mt 21:33–46 and as a vine at Ps 80:9–17; Jer 2:21; Ez 15:2; 17:5–10; 19:10; Hos 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Ps 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sir 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf. Mk 14:25, “the fruit of the vine.” (John, CHAPTER 15, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that being invited to keep the commandments in a spirit of love is uplifting rather than being mandated to do so out of fear.  Jesus encourages us by saying:  "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete."  What a gift to be reminded that Jesus is eager to love us.  Artforms such as film and paintings can help us enter into a story in a deep way. 

As our season of Easter continues, I pray with these questions:  Where do I experience the invitation to feel the embrace of God’s love?  How can I live God’s commandments in a spirit of love and joy rather than through fear of retribution? When can I see the teachings of Jesus depicted in various forms of art?  What needs to happen to ensure that I continue to make spending time with those I love a priority in these busy days?

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. (Brock, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Joy in rejoicing over us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"And what else is Christ's joy in us except that he is pleased to rejoice over us? And what is this joy of ours that he says is to be made full, but our having fellowship with him?... His joy, therefore, in us is the grace he has bestowed on us, and that is also our joy. But he rejoiced over this joy even from eternity when he chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Nor can we rightly say that his joy was not full. For God's joy was never at any time imperfect. But that joy of his was not in us. For we, in whom that joy could exist, had as yet no existence. And even when our existence commenced, it began not to be in him. But in him it always was, who in the infallible truth of his own foreknowledge rejoiced that we should yet be his own. Accordingly, he had a joy over us that was already full when he rejoiced in foreknowing and foreordaining us. And there could hardly be any fear intermingling in that joy of his that might imply a possible failure in what he foreknew would be done by himself." (excerpt from TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 15:9-11 comments that we show our love for Jesus through our actions, especially by the way we love other people. God wants us to treat each other with the same dignity, respect, kindness, and forgiveness that Jesus has for them. As Jesus said immediately after today’s Gospel, “This is my commandment: love one another” (John 15:12).

So instead of looking at Jesus’ commandments as chores, try thinking of them as your path to joy. Remind yourself that he has given you his command to love “so that my joy might be in you” (John 15:11). You are building his kingdom by your actions—and you are keeping yourself safe in his love at the same time. How could you not rejoice?

“Jesus, teach me to love as you love so that I can know your joy.” (Meditation on John 15:9-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on Luke’s account of the Council of Jerusalem and the demands it puts on Gentile Christians. The demands in Acts are missing in the letter to the Galatians and resonate with Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, written later. Friar Jude notes that the joy of keeping the Commandments reinforces the Love of God that desires us to have joy in being where God intends us to be.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares how St. Paul spread Jesus’ message of equality and human dignity through the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the reasons Paul’s teachings had so much influence in Asia Minor was that he restored human dignity at a time when the region was a key source of enslaved people, women were considered the property of men, temple prostitution was a form of worship, and oppression and injustice toward poor and marginalized people were universal norms. Most of the world was not yet aware that human rights even existed. Paul shouts into this corrupt and corrupting empire, “One and the same Spirit was given to us all to drink!”

This is quite amazing, considering the divided world at the time! In Paul’s estimation, the old world was forever gone, and a new world was born. This was surely impossible and frightening to some people, but utterly attractive and hopeful to the majority who had been given no dignity whatsoever. Who does not want to be told they are worthy and good? Who does not want their social shame taken away? No longer was the human body a cheap thing, degraded by slavery, or sexual, verbal, and physical abuse. Paul is saying, “You are the very temple of God.” Scholars now believe this is Paul’s supreme and organizing idea. Such an unexpected affirmation of human dignity began to turn the whole Roman Empire around. (Rohr, 2023)

We are prompted by the Spirit to act with love and respect for all people as we ponder Jesus' admonition to keep the Commandments.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/15?7 

Brock, M. L. (2023, May 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051123.html 

John, CHAPTER 15. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?9 

Meditation on John 15:9-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/11/676373/ 

Psalms, PSALM 96. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1 

Rohr, R. (2023, May 11). We Are Temples of God — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/we-are-temples-of-god-2023-05-11/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Abide in My Love. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may11