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| Friars dining at Saint Meinrad |
"What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!"
I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!"
The Evangelists Luke and Matthew received this text from Saint Mark and kept the ironic detail -- that demons think they know who Jesus is. Everyone else is mystified. Even when his countrymen know his family in Nazareth they cannot make him out. His disciples, more often than not, are simply baffled. (Mark 10:32) But the demons confidently claim to know him.
Knowledge is power and knowing the name and mission of Jesus should be powerful; but it's not because they don't really know the Lord at all.
Christians too should retain their humility as they speak of Jesus' name and mission. Many older Catholic bow their head at the name of Jesus; as children they were taught a fearful, wonderful reverence for the Holy Name. Everyone has been taught, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain!" Those who dare to speak in the name of the Lord should speak quietly and modestly. Loud declamations abuse the Name and expose the speakers as fools.
To know his name is to serve him; it is to be under authority as a steward or custodian of the mystery. Otherwise, there is danger, as when Saint Paul warns his Corinthian disciples about receiving the Eucharist unworthily:
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drinkwithout discerning the body,
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.