“I Know Who You Are” by Melanie Rigney (@melanierigney)
For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. (Hebrews 2:10-11)
You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands. (Psalm 8:7)
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 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!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. (Mark 1:23-26)
Piety
Jesus, I know who You are. Help me to honor You in all I say and do and think today.
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| St. Mark (Credit: Andrea Mantegna [Public domain or Public domain] |
Study
The Gospel of Mark writer isn’t one to waste time or words. No genealogy of Jesus, no infant narrative. By 1:16, Jesus is calling the first disciples. And in today’s reading, he’s already teaching and casting out demons. It’s a breakneck pace, told in clear, simple language, almost like a thriller or action-adventure book or movie.
Clearly, simply, we learn that while those at the synagogue are “astonished” at his teaching, it is the man with the unclean spirit who calls out Jesus for who He is: “The Holy One of God.” The reason, we’re told in the New American Bible notes, is that it was believed that naming an opposing spirit gave the namer mastery. Jesus demolishes that notion posthaste, curing the man. Then it’s on to the next miracle, with scarcely a moment for readers to catch their breaths.
Mark is my favorite Gospel for that exact reason: When we know who He is, there is no time to waste. (That is not to imply that prayer is wasted time. To the contrary, it may be the most challenging, active time of our day.) Wasted time is gossip and complaining. Wasted time is staying in bed for a half hour even though we’re not tired, just because. Wasted time is entertainment that doesn’t feed our souls, educate us, or challenge us. Take heed: The unclean spirit was right. If we know who He is, and attempt to show we know more than He does, we will be very unhappy with the result.
Action
Identify a waste of time that seems harmless, but is using up more and more of your energy. Pray from the Lord to cast out that spirit.
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