Tuesday, January 30, 2024  

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Scripture Reading
Mark 1:21–28

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. (NRSV)

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Reflection

As I read this passage, the part that sticks out to me the most is Jesus’ use of “Be quiet” in driving out the demons of the man. At a time when in order to even enter the synagogue to learn you had to make yourself clean and pure, this man manages to sneak in “unclean.” The scripture doesn’t specify what the man’s ailment was, but Jesus rebukes him by saying, “Be quiet and come out of him.”

While we no longer need to purify ourselves before entering the temple, this passage makes me think about all the things I carry with me when I enter the Sanctuary each Sunday. Be it stress from the past week, self-doubt, or just simply thinking about all the other things I need to do before the start of the week. While my mouth may be singing the hymn or reciting the prayer, my brain is in 106 different places at once. “Be quiet” — let go of those intrusive thoughts and burdens. Because Jesus takes us as we are, but he has the authority to lighten our load if we let him.

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Prayer
Loving and merciful God, help me to quiet my heart and mind. Help me to make space for your love to enter so that I am replenished to share that love with everyone that I meet. Amen.

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Written by Katie Patterson, Manager of Worship and Youth Ministry Programs

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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