THE WORD
1 Cor 2,10-16 / Lk 4,31-37
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! 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!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
IN OTHER WORDS
Silence enables us to listen. It also teaches us to be attuned to God’s workings in our life. Today’s gospel tells us of Jesus commanding the evil spirit to be quiet and leave the body it possessed.
The devil obliged. It could not endure being around with Jesus, especially in silence. In many ways, evil thrives in noise, particularly in moments when we allow our pride, selfishness, and hatred to get the better of us and prevent us from listening. Silence requires patience which in turn needs humility and trust. Silence is God’s most assuring way of connecting with us.
And because silence connects and bonds, it strengthens and so is valiant. “When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion,” so goes an African proverb, underlining the power of togetherness which is oftentimes brought about by listening silence.
Silence is the key. It enables us to settle down and take stock of what we have and what we still need. It forces us to listen and realize that there is more to God’s presence than we normally experience Him. “Quiet!” the Lord tells the devil. Quiet because God is in our midst, and with Him we are blessed, stronger and safe.
- Fr. Sisoy Cellan, SVD | Kenya
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
