Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Jesus and his disciples had come into Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "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." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him." Jesus commanded in the aforementioned Gospel lesson that his authority as the Holy One be kept unannounced. There are several places in scripture where Jesus does this. At his trial when they ask if he is the Son of God, he says, "you say that I am." Our Lord wasn't being argumentative. Simply stated Jesus was a simple person that came to announce the kingdom. He was about the Father's business, nothing more. His life on earth was about reaching out to others in love and compassion. He never spoke harshly to sinners. Jesus did command us to serve others. The Holy Scriptures make it very clear that we are under grace, not the law. We are free from sin and many other things, but we do not have authority over ourselves. At our Baptism we gave that over to Christ having been sealed by the Holy Spirit. There are disagreements that can arise with theology in the church and in society and we should not be hindered, but rather should follow the risen Lord. A good example is the question posed by others: why does God allow suffering? There are many answers people believe. However, I feel that an answer to this question gives it too much authority that God would play a cruel joke on mankind. This is not what we would expect from a loving God. What the question about suffering should be turned into is a bold statement of faith that states the following: "I acknowledge while I am suffering through all things God will be with me." If no suffering existed life would have absolutely no meaning. Jesus suffered the most gruesome sacrifice anyone could endure all for you and I. Our suffering is minimal compared to the crucifixion. Peace is found by listening to God as spoken by the life and teachings of Christ. Jesus was so compassionate he even helped a man suffering his same fate by allowing him to go to heaven as well. As is often the case we are undeserving of the graces and love that God gives us. We should live our lives with the full knowledge that Christ offers us the peace that passes all understanding through his love, no matter how unlovable society has deemed someone to be. This is the kind of love that would cause God to bankrupt heaven to draw us to himself. Grant that we may find peace and comfort in the words and life of Jesus. May we truly seek to serve Christ in all persons. Amen.

Collect:
ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING God, you govern all things in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray for healing especially for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Starla Grilley, Pete & Mary Jane Walburg, Tommy Thompson, John & Delberta Allen, Pete Stanish, Nathan McConnell, Peggy Ann Turner, Pam Shinault, Donald Kaltenback, and Susan Beeler.

(1st Reading Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 2nd Reading I Corinthians 8:1-13, Holy Gospel Mark 1:21-28)