Homily for January 11th, 2017. Mark 1:29-39.
In Jesus’
world there were no blood tests, X-rays, or microscopes. People thought that illness
of various kinds was due to possession by demons. Today’s gospel portrays Jesus
as one who has power over these supernatural forces of evil. Jesus comes from
the supernatural world. As God’s Son, Jesus has power over the evil forces in
that supernatural world. That is why Mark, the gospel writer, tells us that
Jesus would not permit these supernatural forces of evil to speak, “because
they knew him.” Jesus did not want to acquire the reputation of a sensational
wonder-worker. He was that, yes; but he was so much more.
He banishes
the life-threatening fever which has laid Peter’s mother-in-law low. And he drives
out the demons in the many people who are brought to him for healing. Mark’s
language shows that he is describing what we today call “exorcisms.” Freed from
demonic possession, these people are healed at once. There is no period of
convalescence. Peter’s mother-in-law, we heard, “got up immediately and waited
on them.”
Especially
significant is the information that at daybreak, “Jesus went off to a lonely
place in the desert.” Why? He needed to be alone with his heavenly Father. It
was in such times of silence and solitude that Jesus acquired the spiritual
power to heal; and to say to rough working men, “Follow me,” – and have them
obey him on the spot. And if Jesus, whose inner resources were incomparably
greater than ours, needed those times
alone with the Lord, we are fools, and guilty fools, if we think we can make it
in reliance on our own resources alone. That’s why we are here. To receive all
the goodness, love, purity, and power of Jesus – our elder brother, our lover,
and our best friend; but also our divine Savior and Redeemer.
And friends, when we have him, Jesus,
we have everything.
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