Shhhhhhh, Jesus Says Get Out

This is a recycled reflection, but as I prayed I kept getting the prompt to share this one in particular again. One note is that we have been given the same authority Jesus demonstrates in today’s gospel and in His name we have all that we need to silence the lies that try to trip us up. I’m going to keep today’s reflection very simple. Unfortunately, demons are constantly chattering at us, often times unbeknownst to us. They vie for our attention, pull our focus, and try to get us to worship false idols. They manifest in subtle ways that coax us into sin and they are particularly fond of those of us that love the Lord. Today Jesus gives us all we need to rid them from our lives, “Be quiet, and come out!” (In the Name of Jesus) We can even shorten it, “Shhhhh, Jesus says get out!” The Name of Jesus is the most powerful agent of peace that we can use. Saying His Name gives us power over darkness, so say it often, and with conviction. When anxiety, fear, shame, lust, laziness, greed, pride, etc. enter the scene, say, “Shhhhh, Jesus says get out!” Hush these agents of sin immediately with the Name of Jesus. 

The Name of Jesus is the calming of the storm, the usher of peace, the threshold to eternity, the instantaneous light in the darkness, the harmony in the song, the salve on our wounds, the quiet in the noise, the rest in the laboring, the quenching in our thirst, the beauty in our seeing, the Word when we have none. When the things of this world, pull us away, remember…”Shhhh, Jesus says get out!” and they will be silenced. To guard against the things of this world proactively…simply say the Name of Jesus and they won’t even have a chance. It is well with my soul. 

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 432

Reading 1 1 THES 5:1-6, 9-11

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, "Peace and security,"
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, 
and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light 
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Alleluia LK 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, 
and he cried out in a loud voice,
"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!"
Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
"What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out."
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.