Opposites Attract (2012-01-29)

This is my homily for Sunday 29 January 2012. I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

[_01_] In chapter one of the Gospel of Mark, the evil demons/evil spirits – in darkness – recognize the light/brightness within the Lord Jesus.
More easily do these evil spirits recognize the Lord than the disciples do.

The evil spirits recognizes the good spirit. They recognize and catch on to the mission of Jesus as Messiah. They are his opposition. .

[_02_] In many trials – or projects – we try to (strive to ) see what the opposition is going to do …

• In or ice hockey or NFL football, the goalkeeper identifies the center about to shoot …or the defensive back, takes a glimpse of the QB quarterback – Tom Brady or Eli Manning – about to throw.

• In U.S. presidential politics, candidates debate with each other … in plain sight, they also see each other, anticipate each other’s moves.

• And, in these examples, the “opposites” are competing for some visible prize which they both can see.

In the Gospel, we might also say that the evil spirits are somehow equal to the Lord Jesus in their ability to see …

That is, the the evil spirits know Christ’s goodness. They fear what Christ will do … and protest … ”have you come to destroy us?” The evil spirits anticipate the moves of the Messiah.

The evil spirits and Jesus are not actually equal opponents … but they do recognize each other quite well.

[_03_] WHAT IS THE SETTING?

In this Gospel episode, the disciples and the other people are in the synagogue of Capernaum. And, in the synagogue, they easily identify, from the crowd, among all others, one man who has an unclean spirit. He is possessed by an evil spirit.
But, the disciples, in this case, only see the outward, external effects of his troubles.

The disciples are not able to see his spirit, his soul, his inner life … or the true source of his distress.
Isn’t this sometimes the case in our own struggle with evil, sinfulness, selfishness?

[_04-EXTERNAL_] For example, we might recognize certain individuals as very AMBITIOUS, ANGRY, or, MATERIALISTIC.

These are their idols, demons. These are only a few examples. There are individuals with overabundance of …

1. AMBITION – the person trying to get ahead and put someone else down in the process.
This existed even among Jesus’ own disciples. Remember James and John asking for 1st class tickets/seats in the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells, them “You do not know what you are asking.” (cf. Mark 10:35-45)

2. ANGER – the person who is, perhaps, very difficult to please or has very high expectations of others.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that our peacefulness with our own brothers and sisters is an indication of our own true communion, a sign of the Holy Eucharist.

3. MATERIAL COMFORT sometimes, when we are too comfortable, the inevitable challenges of life become very difficult to endure.
To his own disciples being sent on mission, Jesus urges simplicity, even poverty … “taking nothing for the journey, not even an extra coat or walking stick” (cf. Luke 9:1-3)

[_05-INTERNAL_] The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus does not merely want to save the man with the unclean spirit from public embarrassment.
Actually, Jesus does not merely want to save him “externally” but completely.

And, the Lord asks the same from us … regarding for example…

ANGER As Jesus says,

“if you come to the Temple to offer your gift and there discover that your brother [or sister] has something against you, go first and be reconciled with your brother, then, come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24)

Do I also try to settle one on one ? Am I willing to lose face, lose standing for the same of something better, communion, peace, love?
AMBITION & MATERIALISM– Surely, the Lord wants us to use our gifts and talents, to take our light from under the bushel basket and place it on a lampstand.

Due to our own efforts, we may also be able to purchase material comforts for ourselves and for others.

The Lord is asking that we place our gifts at the service of others, for the good of all.

ANGER, AMBITION, MATERIALISM have external effects. Others may see these effects superficially … but more important is the way in which the Lord sees us and the way we also see ourselves.

And, while we may suffer from temptations, brokenness, and opposition of enemies at times, we also believe that Jesus is the Redeemer who gives us victory over our opposites and opponents.

Being in God’s presence, seeking his absolution in penance and reconciliation, we also recognize these opponents and obstacles with his help, some of which may be invisible to the eyes of other observers. [_fin_]