Embedded Files
. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Epiphany 4 Yr B
Vittore Carpaccio, "Healing of the madman", downloaded 1/14/21 from Web Gallery of Art. "The subject of this 'telero' is the healing of a man possessed performed by Francesco Querini, the Patriarch of Grado, through the intercession of the relic of the Holy Cross in his palace at the Rialto."
Published date 1/24/2024
Introduction
Introduction
One definition for "demon" (from Miriam-Webster) is "evil spirit", as one might expect. But the other is: "a source or agent of evil, harm, distress, or ruin." Let's focus for just a moment on "source". When we read this gospel, we quickly envision the man who is crazed by the demonic spirit; we often overlook the source of his craziness—the demons within him (which Jesus dispatches quickly). For today, think about the source of your poor behavior, or distress, or even ruin. Is it you? Are you yourself creating some of your own problems? Feel free to comment.
Mark 1:21-28
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; . . .. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “. . . I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”
From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus wants to be in control of your life . . . because he wants what is best for you.”
Scripture: January 28, 2024, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)—Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (image); 1 Corinthians 1:1-12 (image); Mark 1:21-28 (image); & Psalm 111 (image). A visual and oral journey through the scriptures.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: What is the name of the demon, the spirit, the idolatry you carry? If you can think of this answer as many “troubles,” try to find the root cause, a name to give to that which needs to be cast out. The answer may take different forms throughout the week. You may also consider the same question with regard to your family and to this nation. What is the Holy One casting out today in your presence?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The editor enjoys presenting a variety of symbols of the church. So beginning with this issue, the "Symbols" will be a regular feature.
The caduceus is widely recognized as a symbol of medicine and healing. But think back to the story of Moses and the 40-year trek through the wilderness. Could the origin be the serpent raised on a pole to cure the Israelites bitten by snakes? Perhaps that's a "stretch" too far but it does make us think, doesn't it?
from "Does the serpentine symbol for healing have a Biblical origin?" from the Watch Jerusalem website.
Eye Candy:
“Man with unclean spirit” by Ian Pollock;
“Liberation from demonic powers” by Solomon Raj (scroll way down);
“Jesus casts out the devil” by Matthaeus the Elder
Ear Worm:
“Our darkness“, Taize;
“Silence frenzied unclean spirits“, dissonant, interesting;
“Thou whose almighty word”, hymn
Brain Food: Jesus of Nazareth Went to Capernaum: Jesus of Naz’reth went to Capernaum, / To the synagogue to teach, / People, astounded, at his wisdom / Saw his power all to reach. / Jesus of Naz’reth, as we pray, / Please teach us, reach us, we beseech you; / Visit your people with your power; / With your life, our lives renew. / Into the room there came a man / Whose ranting, crying stole the show; / What would Jesus tell the madman, / All the people sought to know.
Jesus of Naz’reth, are you able / To cast out, blast out demons today? / Your love saves us in each hour; / Come to us without delay! / Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit / While the people were amazed; / “He commands, and they obey him!” / Thus his name to all was praised. / Jesus of Naz’reth, we are yours, / We follow and hallow your will for peace; / You have called us to your purpose, / So your love may here increase.
God has called us to be faithful / In an age of fear and strife; / War and greed are now our demons, / But in Christ we have new life; / Jesus of Naz’reth, we your people / Now go, to show your gift of grace; / Give us courage you to follow, / That your church may all embrace! ~Scott L. Barton
“Thoughts” from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Bible (scroll way down)
“Commentary” by Bruce Epperly from Faith in Process website
Parables:
“Amistad” (1997, R), human dignity under fire, attitudes about uncleanliness, Review1, Review2;
“The Spitfire Grill” (1996, PG-13), soul-satisfying movie, a story of interconnectedness, Review;
“The Confession” (1999, R), making decisions about good and evil, Review 1, Review 2
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity), bulletin, craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity), bulletin, craft
For youth: The gospel lesson today tells us that the “evil spirits” that inhabited the man recognized Jesus as one with enough authority to hurt them. And these spirits begged Jesus not to hurt them; so he didn’t. Jesus does have authority: do you recognize it? Think about what happens in your life that prevents you from seeing Jesus’ authority. You might want to make a list because there are a number of things that get in our way. Feel free to comment.
In Epiphany season we celebrate those events in Jesus’ ministry which revealed him to be the Son of God. Today we hear Mark’s account of Jesus’ first sermon and the events which followed. In casting out an evil spirit from one possessed, Jesus revealed a spiritual authority greater than that of other prophets and teachers.
The reading from Deuteronomy preserves an ancient Hebrew tradition that God would send another prophet as great as Moses. While Christians have seen Jesus as the fulfillment of that tradition, he was, in fact, even greater than Moses. Those who were in the synagogue at Capernaum realized that his power over evil spirits revealed him to be the agent of God.
Our reading from I Corinthians today deals with an extremely important part of Paul’s teaching about the Church by means of a rather obscure (to us) controversy in that Church. It was between those who had no qualms about eating food sacrificed to pagan gods, because they believed Christ had rendered such gods meaningless; and those who feared that eating such food would put them back into the fellowship of the old gods. Paul’s principle is that we are indeed free to eat any food (the old gods are meaningless) but that the need for unity and fellowship among Christians is even more important than exercising that freedom.
We join together in the liturgy to meet our Savior who comes to us in Word and Sacrament. Jesus, then, is not only the prophet who, like Moses, brings God’s Word; he is the Word made flesh who comes among us himself in water, bread, and wine.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.Page updated
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