Gospel: Mark 1: 21-28
Evil spirits find their way into unexpected places, as in today's Gospel reading where we find them in the synagogue, a place set aside for learning God's law and worshipping God. Yet, the synagogue becomes the center of opposition to Jesus, the place where the plot to take his life will be hatched. A place set aside for good becomes evil through the actions of human beings who change the use and purpose of the place.
Sadly, this same phenomenon occurs in churches, schools, and all sorts of places whose original purpose was designed for good. Places set aside for growing in holiness, in truth, and in goodness are places where abuse takes place, where financial improprieties are common, and where the worship of the political has replaced worship of the divine. Jesus is once again betrayed and put to death at our hands in the very places we claim him to be our Lord and Teacher...
As in today's Gospel, these evil spirits can be dispelled through our following and imitation of the way of Jesus. Jesus rejected the material and political temptations of Satan in the desert, and the devil fled from his presence. If we follow Jesus' example and reject these same offerings to us, the evil spirits will have no hold upon us, and we are free to serve God and others with great love and care.
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