What is there about his word?

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14; Luke 4:31-37

Summary

In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! 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.” (LK 4:33-36).

Reflection

The man with the spirit of an unclean spirit can certainly repeat the psalmists proclamation: I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living (PS 27:13). In this particular instance we do not have the ‘after image’ of the man who was freed from the demonic influence. But we have similar examples.

Women Cured

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out (LK 8:1-2).

The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac.

People came out to see what had happened and, when they approached Jesus, they discovered the man from whom the demons had come out sitting at his feet. He was clothed and in his right mind, and they were seized with fear (LK 8:35).

Mute Cured

He was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed (LK 11:14).

Other Healings

And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah (LK 4:41).

What is there about his word? Healing of demonic influence

1. Right mind.
2. Right relation.
3. Clothed.
4. Speaking.

More Examples of Healing In General

• Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law. Lk 4
• Cleansing of a Leper. Lk 5
• Healing of the paralyzed man. Lk 5
• Healing the Centurion’s Servant. Lk 7
• Resurrection of the Widow of Nain’s Son. Lk 7
• Resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. Lk 8
• Woman with a Hemorrhage. Lk 8
• Healing man with withered hand. Lk 6
• Healing crippled woman on the Sabbath. Lk 13
• Cleanings the ten men with Leprosy. LK 17
• Blind man of Jericho. Lk 18

Specific Purpose of this setting

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 (NABRE Commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?34=#50004034)

Personal Reflection

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 1:1-5).

There is POWER in the Word! The word is the person of Jesus.

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090225.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry