Today’s Gospel talks about recognition, or more accurately lack of recognition. When Jesus comes to Capernaum and preaches, the people don’t know what to think. They are amazed at his knowledge and his apparent authority, but they do not know where the authority comes from. They are intrigued by his words, but they don’t recognize who he is.
The people are perplexed, but the demons recognize him right away and understand that he is a danger to them. They know who he is and that he can command them and destroy them. The unclean spirit says right away that Jesus is the Holy One of God who has “come to destroy us.”
But even then the people do not recognize Jesus for who he is. The word spreads of this unusual event, but the people still do not know what to make of it. They were expecting the messiah to be a man of might – a king maybe or a military man. Someone who had great power and prestige. And this man was from Nazareth, just down the road. He was the son of a carpenter. He was just like anyone else. He didn’t look like anything very special.
But he was. He was the holy one of God. He could command even the unclean spirits and they were in fear of his power. They knew the danger he was bringing them, but those who were seeking salvation didn’t recognize it when it came.
And would we? Do we recognize God as he walks among us everyday? Do we recognize his voice bringing us wisdom or comfort? The bad guys know him and fear him, but shouldn’t we who seek him know him as well, and follow him?
Tamora Whitney
I teach in the English department. I teach composition and literature and Critical Issues -- a class that has a component on Jesuit values.
I like writing these reflections because it makes me think more deeply about the scripture and think about how to integrate the ideas into my own life and how to share these ideas with others.
