Unclean Spirit – Reflection on Luke 4:31-37
Over three decades ago, in a short-lived situation, I had not realized how far I had drifted away from the center of being a Christian. Despite attending church most Sundays, I had become full of knowledge and pride. Clad in a three-piece suit, and on the other side of the globe, I walked down a dock crowded with boat people living in extreme poverty. I thought money was the solution. When parents started yelling at me for handing their children significant money, I knew I had crossed a line. The shame I felt within was as if I was burning up. I instantly realized an internal unclean spirit developed from my adopted worldliness. This event and others that quickly followed triggered the beginnings of my daily immersive prayer routine. Unlike the instant transition of the man in this story, moving to a virtuous life increased in small increments. Jesus’s plans can include letting us spiritually recognize our demons in real time. Like chameleons, vices can change color and shape to hide until routed out. During the process, we learn these experiences of deep emotional transformations are best not shared in detail because they are between the Lord and us to work out.
Jesus Chases a Possessed Man from the Synagogue by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 4:31-37 – Scripture*
The Man with an Unclean Spirit
31 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. 32 They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Let us alone! 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.” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. 36 They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” 37 And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Divina Luke 4:31-37 Reflection – Unclean Spirit.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 4 Bible passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Unclean Spirit
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