Gospel reading: Mark 1:29-39
Jesus “drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.” (v.34b). The demons knew Jesus, while many Catholics have not truly met Jesus nor do they truly know him. The demons were not permitted to speak, while all Catholics are commissioned to speak about Jesus and to proclaim the gospel. The demons were driven out of people, while Catholics are prodded to go to all peoples and to intermingle with people in order to share Christ.
If demons know Jesus more than we the people of God know him, if demons proclaim Jesus as “Jesus of Nazareth” and “the Holy One of God” (v.24) but we do not proclaim Christ, if demons are right there with the people (possessing them) while we stand aloof, might demons not be better suited to share Christ? A ridiculous notion indeed. But by what we are and what we do or do not do, we stand convicted.
We must preach the gospel, and we must oppose the enemy. Like Jesus, we must be about the work of “preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” (v.39b).
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