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Reflection on Mark 1:21-28

Bishop Jim Jelinek and I, clergy at Trinity Church Newport Rhode Island, decided last week that we would write daily meditations during this time of pandemic and isolation. We want to offer you a connection as we share what is on our minds and hearts.

If something we say creates a question or a thought in your mind, please know that we are readily available to talk with you by telephone or skype or whatever platform you use.

What we want to do is create social nearness in the Spirit while respecting the urgent call for physical distancing.

My reflection today continues in Mark’s Gospel; chapter 1, verses 21-28.

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “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.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

And so the mission continues, there is a propelling, powerful, pulsating rhythm in the heart of Jesus to reach out and share the good news of God… the good news of renewed relationship with God and freedom from the harm that we would do to ourselves.
And when Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue. Here is Jesus (very God of very God, Son of God, Son of Man) submitting himself to the practice, the traditions, the routine of his people. There is a unique energy that comes from people gathering together , to listen to and to celebrate the presence and the works of God. Now, for the time being, it is our pain, deep pain, that such gatherings are not possible, are simply unwise. So we have within us a void, an ache. Even when in Babylonian exile the people of God gathered together, we have been stripped of that possibility. And so we are almost frantic in seeking ways to be socially near in the Spirit, while physically distant in the body. It is with a renewed and psychic authenticity that we sing with the Psalmist, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” (Psalm 137:4).

I believe the following verses suggest two actions we should take to nurture and create a spiritual and virtual community.
The first action, we do our best to look at Jesus and to meditate on his teachings.
Verses 22 and 28: they were astounded as his teaching and his fame spread throughout the countryside. As the people look at Jesus and received his teaching so their spirits were uplifted and their minds renewed. I suggest you take time to slowly, thoughtfully read through one of the Gospels… there’s clearly no rush right now. And when Jesus appears in any story, use the full power of all your senses and imagination to re-create the event. It is as we draw closer to the Lord that we draw closer to each other; the simple picture is that of a bicycle wheel… at its circumference the spokes are far apart but as they draw nearer to the center so they draw nearer to each other. We can do this… by faith.
The second action, we recognize within us that which tends to provoke fear and anger and resentment. Bishop Jim spoke about this yesterday. It has often been recognized that people tend to die in the way that they have lived… so in this awful crisis, this wretched pandemic, we begin to recognize in ourselves traits and attitudes which, under less stress, hold less sway… are less obvious in our lives.

Verses 25 and 27: the man with the unclean spirit is somehow seduced to come into the light because of Jesus and then, with a word and doubtless a look, Jesus expels that which does the man harm and sets him free. For me this is a daily journey of confession, forgiveness and freedom. It is never too late to start again.

A Prayer
Almighty God whose very word creates light and life; in our journey create healing light in our hearts and minds and renewed life with our friends in Christ and beyond. Amen