Reflection: Luke 4:31-37

Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time — Luke 4:31-37

In today’s Gospel, Jesus travels to the town of Capernaum in Galilee. When he arrived there, he taught the people. His listeners were astounded at his teaching. As they listened to him, they realized that Jesus was different than any of the teachers they had heard before. Jesus spoke with great authority, authenticity and yet with humility.

There was a man in the synagogue that was possessed by an unclean demon. When the man heard the people talk about Jesus and the astounding deeds he had done, the man cried out to him: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus then rebuked the demon by saying: “Be quiet! Come out of this man!” The demon threw the man to the floor and then came out of his body. The man was not harmed.

All the people who witnessed this healing were amazed and astounded. They said to one another: “What is it about this man? Where did he get this authority? How does he have the power to exorcise unclean spirits?” And the news of Jesus and his power to heal and to drive out unclean spirits spread throughout the region.

Take a moment and ask yourself: What are the unclean spirits that possess you? How do these unclean spirits affect your life? Do you long to be free of these unclean spirits? Or have they become an integral part of your life? Have you asked Jesus to exorcise your unclean spirits?

If you desire to have these unclean spirits rebuked by Jesus, go to Jesus and beg him to rid you of the unclean spirit that is destroying your life. Every day come to Jesus and beg him to heal you. You may not get an immediate miracle. However, you may begin to notice a difference in your life, in your emotions and in your trust in Jesus. Jesus is with you! Open your heart and trust him!