The unclean spirits cried out. Mark 3:7-12.

Saint Francis de Sales. Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Commentary on the Gospel. Father Jesús Higueras. January 24, 2019. GOSPEL. The unclean spirits cried out, “You are the Son of God,” but he forbade them to make him known. From the Gospel according to Saint Mark 3:7-12. At that time, Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the shore of the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed him. Hearing about all that he was doing, great crowds came from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, the region across the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, so that the crowd would not crush him. Because he had healed many, all who were suffering from various ailments pressed around him to touch him. Whenever they saw him, even the unclean spirits fell down before him, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” But he strictly ordered them not to make him known. The Word of the Lord. Lectio Divina. FOR MEDITATION Today’s Gospel verses (Mark 3:7-12) summarize Jesus’ ministry and highlight a striking contrast. A little earlier, in Mark 2:1–3:6, the focus is solely on conflicts, including the life-and-death conflict between Jesus and the civil and religious authorities of Galilee (Mark 3:1-6). Here, in this summary, the opposite appears: an immense popular movement, greater than that of John the Baptist, because people came not only from Galilee, but also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, across the Jordan, Tyre, and Sidon to encounter Jesus (Mark 3:7-12). Those who were not welcomed into the social fabric of the society of that time are now welcomed by Jesus. Herein lies the contrast: on one side, the religious and civil leadership that decides to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6); on the other, an immense popular movement that seeks salvation in Jesus. Who will win? In Mark's time, fear of demons was on the rise. Some religions, instead of liberating people, fueled fear and anxiety. One of the aims of Jesus' Good News was to help people free themselves from this fear. The arrival of the Kingdom of God signified the arrival of a stronger power. Jesus is "the stronger man" who came to subdue Satan, the power of evil, and rescue humanity, gripped by fear, from his clutches (Mark 3:27). This is why Mark insists so much on Jesus' victory over the power of evil, over the devil, over Satan, over sin, and over death. FOR REFLECTION How do you live your faith in the resurrection of Jesus? Does it help you overcome fear? Expulsion of demons. How do you neutralize that power in your life? PRAYER Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! Let those who love your salvation always say, “The Lord is great!” Though I am poor and needy, the Lord takes care of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, my God! (Psalm 41:17) Saint Paul Publications