Have you come to destroy us?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 1st Week*

*Gospel : Mark 1:21-28*

*First Reading : Heb 2:5-12*

*Have you come to destroy us?*

*1) The awareness of the Unclean Spirit*

From the Gospel it is very clear that, the awareness of the unclean spirit about Jesus is amazing

The unclean spirit knew the following things about Jesus 

He is the Holy one of God 

He has the power over the unclean Spirits

He can destroy the unclean spirit

He is the threat to unclean Spirit

This awareness of the unclean spirit is very important. Even for us such a level of awareness is very important

*2) The effect of the Awareness*

Since the evil spirit knew the exact power of Jesus, the unclean spirit was frightened

The unclean spirit was worried about its existence before Jesus 

Since it knew the power of Jesus it simply obyed Jesus command and went out of the person 

It became powerless before Jesus 

*3) What is my awareness about Jesus' Power?*

When I reflect about my own awareness about Jesus, what is the depth of it? 

Is my awareness which is equal to the awareness of the unclean spirit? Or is it less? Or is it more? 

Only if I am aware of Jesus' power I can fight against the unclean spirit. If not, I will be powerless to fight against the unclean spirit

*4) Only Jesus can fight against the Unclean Spirit*

From the Gospel it is very clear that only Jesus has the power to fight against the unclean spirit

And even the unclean spirit knows about it. If there is no Jesus it can win the battle very easily and human beings can be controlled as the unclean spirit wants 

So only with Jesus we can destroy the unclean spirit. That's why we need Jesus in our life 

*5) The various faces of the unclean spirit*

The unclean spirit of Sin

The unclean spirit of pride

The unclean spirit of laziness

The unclean spirit of anger 

The unclean spirit of gossip

The unclean spirit of division 

The unclean spirit of hatred 

The unclean spirit of jealousy

The unclean spirit of revenge 

The unclean spirit of greed

The unclean spirit of selfishness

The unclean spirit of anxiety

All these unclean spirits can be destroyed only through the help of Jesus 

Are you ready to collaborate with Jesus to fight against the unclean spirits, which are found in my life??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*