The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Dudz Lero SVD – Holy Name Univeristy, Tagbilaran City
Tuesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
In the Gospel Reading today, notice that Jesus did not annihilate the unclean spirit (the Greek word used is akatharto, from akathartos which refers to evil spirit or demon; hence, it was, in a sense, a case of diabolical possession). It was simply asked to come out, meaning banished from the man possessed by it.
I like what scripture scholar Sr. Bernardita Dianzon, fsp, wrote about this Gospel text. According to Sr. Dianzon, the reason is that Jesus did not come as a destroyer of things but a harbinger of order. The unclean spirit was banished from the man to return to the place where its kind belongs.
We are familiar with turfs and jurisdictions, and every day, from the perspective of faith, whatever we do show which side we are on. Let us not compromise the direction to where our lives as followers of Jesus are called to be attuned.
Moreover, let us be conscientious of being clean and be in the place where we should belong — on the side and in the company of Jesus, the Holy One of God.
