Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Although I am not a huge sports fan, I have seen plenty of sports teams and have a fairly good idea of which teams are good and why they are successful. In many cases there is one or maybe 2 star players who possess a talent that is very remarkable. But it is only through the support of the entire team working together that the team is able to rise above the rest to consistently win. If a player attempts to go alone, unsupported by the rest of the team, even if he is a star player, this will often times result in defeat. In the gospel reading today, Jesus tells the Scribes that He cannot be Satan as He casts out demons, since this would lead to the defeat of Satan and his work. Jesus however explains the power of the Holy Spirit is essential in the work of His kingdom. It is through the teamwork of the Trinity, the Father sending the Son, the Son doing the work of the Father, and the Spirit working through Jesus, that God’s love, mercy, healing and glory is displayed.
The Scribes in today’s reading say that Jesus is “possessed by Beelzebub and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons. “ (Mark3:22) Jesus responds in parables and explains, “And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.” (Mark 3:26) I imagine that the Scribes find the power of Jesus and His healings to be very frightening. They are trying to make sense of the miraculous works of Jesus, but I suspect that they are also worried that this powerful man could threaten their power and prestige within the Jewish community. By claiming that Jesus was possessed by Satan, they could discredit everything that He says and does. Instead of striking back, Jesus illustrates that when “a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24) Why would the “prince of demons” destroy other demons? He goes on further to state that “no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man.” (Mark 3:27) Again, Jesus is trying to help the people to understand that the Scribes theory that Jesus is Satan is not possible, since if Jesus is casting out demons (plundering the house of Satan), He would have already had to have defeated the “prince of demons” to have such power.
What is more notable is Jesus’ reference to the Holy Spirit. Jesus says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness.” (Mark 3:29) The Scribes had said that Jesus had “an unclean spirit” as the source of his power. Not only does Jesus want to make it clear that He is not possessed by Satan, but He wants the Scribes and all of those listening to hear that His power comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus is a team player, and He recognizes the importance of the other players ( the Holy Spirit) and He understands the importance of working together and supporting ( standing up for) His other teammates. Jesus preaches and lives out this unity with the Father and Spirit in all that He does. Jesus makes many references throughout His ministry to His relationship with His Father. Through is love and obedience to the Father’s will, He reveals the Father and the Father’s love for us. It is filled with the Holy Spirit that Jesus is able to live out His mission. Together, Father, Son, and Spirit, our amazing God brings love, healing, mercy and redemption for the world. They are the most perfect and holy “team”, since even though they are 3 persons they function as one divinity. The most amazing part of this scenario is that they invite every person to join their “team”- to be in relationship with them. As a child growing up, I remember how I always wanted to be invited to be on the best team, the one that would win. When I reflect on this memory and the invitation to be on God’s team, I recognize there could be no better team to be on, since although I will need to play my best and work hard, I know that I will always be supported by the other players on my team (God and other faith-filled disciples). I also know that being a part of this team will provide me with the most important victory -eternal salvation.
To be a member of God’s team I believe we are called to daily work outs. This requires scripture reading, prayer and attentiveness to God’s presence throughout the day. Being a team player also requires that we do not try to take glory or credit for the success of the team, but always recognize the source of our strength (God) and the talents of others who share our mission. Each team member has different gifts, but it is together as we support one another that we are successful. God invites all people to be on His team, and sometimes it is through our reaching out that He extends that invitation to others. If we truly believe that knowing God-that is being in relationship with Him- is central to our life, then sharing that Good News with everyone should come easily. I pray that we may all be team players on God’s team by sharing His love, grace and mercy with others and inviting all those we encounter to join with us as we build His kingdom.
"Heavenly Father, united with Jesus and the Holy Spirit you share your love and salvation with the world. May we join with you always to share your kingdom with others, and may all that we do and say bring you glory and praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. AMEN."
Marylynn Herchline