Epiphany 4B (Mark 1:21-28)

​The essence of Jesus' teaching lies in making the presence of God available, accessible, and omnipresent to the inner life of every human being. This concept, distinct from the confession of Jesus as Lord and Savior, is a central theme throughout the gospels. Jesus refers to this divine presence as "the kingdom of God," a term that, although easily misconstrued as political, transcends earthly realms.

This idea becomes particularly poignant in the context of political tensions of the time, where figures like Judas, associated with the Sicarii subgroup of Zealots engaged in anti-Roman activities, could easily misinterpret Jesus' message. Consequently, Jesus faces accusations of political crimes. However, his vision extends beyond the political landscape, urging individuals to live attentively to God's inner presence. His teachings, learned through interactions with diverse groups, emphasize universality and applicability to all, making them ethical guidelines for living a good life rooted in God's presence.

The crux of Jesus' message is not about subscribing to a set of beliefs but about fostering a personal, intimate encounter with God's presence. Comparing his teachings with those of the scribes, Jesus offers hope rather than rigid rules. It's not about "what ought to be done" but an acknowledgment of "what is," leading to "what can" be achieved. God’s grace, love, and compassion are accessible, available, and free of charge. Jesus teaches not just what he believes to be true but what he experiences. He then exemplifies how he lives according to what he teaches. If he can do it, all those at the synagogue who hear him can do it too. 

But are they willing? Admiring his teaching with authority doesn’t guarantee they’ll try it out. Despite the authority in his teaching, not everyone is willing to embrace change. The presence of an unclean spirit in the synagogue symbolizes resistance to Jesus' call for a radical change of heart. (Let’s go beyond common images from horror movies whenever demon-possessed or unclean spirits appear in the gospel stories.) People, inherently averse to change, often resist disruptions to their stability. Neuroscience supports why we don’t like changes. Our brain has evolved to favor the predictable for survival. Change is always unpredictable. 

Jesus is probably aware of a violent resistance to his teaching. Not everyone can hear and see but only some. So, the unclean spirit cries out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” as a spokesperson for all naysayers to Jesus’ teaching. I think it’s worth noticing that the unclean spirit speaks in a plural term. There’s no single voice speaking but many. Now, listen to our own thoughts and feelings. There isn’t just one but many. Many selves in us are speaking to us. We choose which voice to follow or which self to become in various contexts. 

In the case of an unclean spirit, it is evident that it is against Jesus’ teaching. This unclean spirit forms a committee of voices that speak languages of resentment, fear, anxiety, hatred, and ignorance. They are threatened that the presence of God would vanish them, and it does. Jesus sternly disapproves of their legitimacy and that they do no benefit to oneself but are unskillful actions that result in harmful consequences. He rebukes them not by reasoning or correcting this collective effort of unskillful voices. His way of cleansing them is too simple: “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Silence is the way to the presence of God. It is an act of bringing all our attention to the mind, looking inwardly, and patiently observing what’s on the mind. It’s an act of calming and stilling all different voices, knowing that they come and go. The point is to step outside all these voices or selves that we choose to become. This would be considered metacognition but we want to go deeper than that so that can we encounter the burning bush that is not consumed by the flames, the “I am.” 

As you engage with this reflection, consider the multitude of thoughts and feelings you experience. Recognizing and detaching from each one is a step towards clearing the mind. Emptying the mind allows God's presence to fill it, influencing how we live our lives and interact with others.