GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 5TH SEPTEMBER 2017
TUESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 1Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11
PSALM: Psalm 27: 1,4, 13-14
GOSPEL: Luke 4:31-37
THEME: WHAT A WORD?
In the name of deliverance, we are seeing all kinds of ‘spiritual gymnastics’ entering into some Christian communities. In some places, people are made to bring canes (physical sticks) in order to lash Satan (a spirit). Others are made to believe that the louder you clap your hands during prayers of deliverance, the more you would deafen Satan and that is how you can evacuate him from your life. There are instances where people are made to drink all kinds of substances (sometimes poisonous) just to secure deliverance from the enemy of their souls. Beloved in Christ, let us be honest with ourselves, many of the things that are being done today in the name of deliverance have no bearing with Scripture.
The Gospel text for today gives what can be termed a ‘Christ-like model’ for deliverance. Jesus gave a powerful teaching in the Synagogue at Capernaum. An unclean spirit who had housed itself in a man started feeling uncomfortable and manifested itself with a loud cry. Jesus then proceeded to give a command to the unclean demon, “Be silent, and come out of him!” (Lk. 4:35). That was it, the demon came out of him without doing the man any harm. The people were amazed and said to each other: “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (Lk. 4:36).
There are two important points worth reflecting upon. First of all, Jesus did not need to scream like a baby who has lost his toy to make the evil spirit come out. He simply gave a command (the word) and it happened. It is not screaming that casts out evil spirits. The word of God is already powerful to deliver. It is faith in the word that unleashes that power and brings wholeness.
Secondly, we are told that the demon left the person without causing harm. Sadly, there are people today who have been needlessly harmed in the name of deliverance. They go in search of deliverance and came back home with more problems and burdens. Some have virtually been abused under the umbrella of deliverance.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has not changed and his style of deliverance has not changed. As we place our faith in him, he would set us free and make us whole. Yes, in Jesus Christ, healing and deliverance is available for free.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, all authority in heaven and on earth is yours. A word from your mouth is enough to make me whole. Speak into my situation and cause a change to take place in me so that my life would continually glorify your name. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).