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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

I know who you are

Opinion

I know who you are

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gospel • Mark 1:21-28

The power that Jesus shows in driving out the unclean spirits (demons) is a manifestation that the dominion of God is now being established over the “dominion of Belial,” freeing human beings from the subjection of the devil.

Ancient peoples believed that things beyond human control were due to non-human persons rather than to natural causes. They believed in demons who were considered superior to human beings and caused them harm. To drive out demons is an action a man cannot do by himself; an outside agent had to be involved. It could be God who is more powerful than demons, or other demonic forces.

Jesus’ power over demons is essentially a function of his place in the hierarchy of powers. He is higher than the demons.

The demon claims to know who Jesus is — that he is the Holy One of God. This is not a confession but an attempt to gain power over Jesus through knowledge of his name.

In the world of magic and sorcery widespread at the time, to know the identity of one’s opponent is to have power over him. The demon, however, fails to control Jesus and is ordered to submission.

Ironically, the demon’s failed attempt to “know” Jesus reveals the great divide between him and his conqueror. Jesus is “holy,” in contrast with the demon who is “unclean.”

The unclean one seeks to destroy the human person; the “Holy One of God” comes to heal and to save. Films about exorcisms like “The Exorcist,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and recently, “The Pope’s Exorcist,” remind us that demons are still at work, seeking the ruin of human beings.

Do you believe in the existence of demons, in the harm they cause human beings?

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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