WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.799 Our Lady of Grace Hamilis are brought to you by a generous parishioner who encourages you to join in prayer for Mission Church's worldwide. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:11.279 Explore the frontiers of Faith Podcast for further insights into these missions. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.000 The Lord be with you. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:20.960 A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:26.239 Then they came to Capernaum and on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:32.600 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:35.200 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit. 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:39.280 He cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:41.399 Have you come to destroy us? 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:56.039 I know who you are, the Holy One of God." Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet, come out of him." The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:02.159 All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this?" A new teaching with authority. 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:06.280 He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:10.760 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:22.879 The Gospel of the Lord. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:25.079 What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:28.959 Have you come to destroy us? 00:01:28.959 --> 00:01:35.480 Question of the demon in possession of a man. 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:43.280 And the short answer to that question is yes. 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:50.079 Yes, in fact, Jesus has the intention of destroying the demons. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:55.840 In fact, too often overlooked or ignored today. 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:58.200 Demons, he plans to destroy. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:02:06.200 Demons, which comes to us from the Greek verb for dividing to divide. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:09.520 And dividing is not of our Lord. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:15.479 From the beginning, this has been a part of the divine initiative. 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:36.919 Since the first demon divided us from God, our Heavenly Father, and taught us death, from that moment, the fate of the demons has been sealed and their kingdom has been slated for demolition today. 00:02:36.919 --> 00:02:49.560 In this Gospel, you got to see and hear about Christ pulling it down, destroying it. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:52.800 Have you come to destroy us? 00:02:52.800 --> 00:03:02.960 Jesus was discontent with man's slavery and unhappiness and witnessing it in this particular man. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:10.319 He commands the divider to come out. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:34.479 When the man is not left unscathed, he can vultures, he cries out, but in the end he is free, undivided, single-minded, one heart prepared for the embrace of God. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:37.000 And that's beautiful. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:38.400 But let's go deeper. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:42.280 Let's go deeper using this story as a paradigm. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:45.719 Have you come to destroy us? 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:50.439 I mentioned the short answer to that is yes. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:56.400 The long answer requires a bit more nuance. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:57.800 He will destroy. 00:03:57.800 --> 00:04:01.719 But the question was not, are you going to? 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:05.439 The question was, what have you to do with us? 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.360 Why have you come here? 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:09.879 What's the end game? 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:19.079 He will destroy, but the destruction of the demons is only a part of the plan. 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:20.079 You're Catholic. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:22.360 You've been going to Mass for a while. 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:27.160 I bet you at the beginning of this Catholic school's week, there's a lot of Catholic school students out there. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:37.480 What do you think is the fullness of the plan of God? 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:41.360 Can you imagine if it was just to destroy the demons? 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:43.519 I don't mean like actually think about that for a moment. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:53.759 Here comes Jesus, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and he walked into the synagogue and he saw this man and he said, "Quiet, come out of him." And then he did. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:56.040 And he left. 00:04:56.040 --> 00:05:03.360 And then Jesus said, "All right guys, the rest is up to you." And send it off to heaven. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:05.360 Can you imagine? 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:06.759 We might. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:14.160 We would be free from slavery to Lucifer. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:18.519 But we would still be slaves to ourselves, to each other. 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:26.879 We would still be left with all of these problems that were started with that first domino, and maybe we put the first domino back up, that's fine. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:30.399 But hey, there's a lot more dominoes to set right. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.680 He will destroy the demons. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:35.720 For that ain't the whole picture. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:38.759 It's not the grand plan. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.040 What is the grand plan? 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:43.480 The reason for the incarnation? 00:05:43.480 --> 00:05:51.560 Well it comes to us in a variety of different places in the Gospels. 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:54.079 John 10, 10, for example. 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:55.079 Why did he come? 00:05:55.079 --> 00:06:00.279 I came that they may have life and have it to the full. 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:08.879 And John's prologue says he came to his own and his own received him not. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:16.720 But for those who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave them the power to become the children of God. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:18.519 Amazing. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:20.920 John 3, 16 very famously, right? 00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:24.600 God so loved the world that he sent his only son. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:25.600 Why? 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:34.759 So that whoever believes in him might never die, might have life forever. 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:40.800 St. Athanasius said that God became a man so that man might become God. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:46.199 St. Irenaeus said that the glory of God is man fully alive. 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:57.800 Now all these little smattering about life forever, about becoming God. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.920 Do you think I'm being facetious when I say that? 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:09.079 Or speaking in some sort of like subtle, confused exaggeration? 00:07:09.079 --> 00:07:10.560 I would never dare. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:12.199 I'd never dare. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:15.879 This is the language of the saints and I'm just letting you know what they said. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:17.519 I would never dare. 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:31.879 We were promised life forever and that's the grand plan that we ourselves were made for a happiness, a happiness that you don't got to like try to explain or sell. 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:45.199 You don't have to pretend with this kind of happiness because you simply are happy in relationship with God no longer divided but restored in unity. 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:53.759 You find your destiny, you become one with the divine and that's the grand plan. 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:57.079 That's the neat idea. 00:07:57.079 --> 00:07:59.639 Have you come to destroy us? 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:20.040 The demon said and you can imagine the face of the Son of God in that synagogue, smirk just a little bit as he said to himself, well that's part of it. 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:25.360 But I've come to do much, much more. 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:30.399 God has made you for happiness. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:34.519 You get me our Lady Grace? 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:38.480 I don't need you to vocalize but I need your eyes to be more than glazed. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:43.759 This is going to get so much worse and we have to be tied in to this point. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.879 God has made you to be happy. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:46.360 Do you believe me? 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:47.360 You okay? 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:49.480 Thank you. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.440 I'm not making this up. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:53.799 This is the most important thing. 00:08:53.799 --> 00:08:57.840 God made you for a happiness that you can't even imagine. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:02.879 You sit with that for a second. 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:08.279 He came to do much, much more but this is where it becomes a little bit complex. 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:21.200 Since he came to do much, much more that means that much, much more than just evil sin and demons are at stake. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:28.799 As a matter of fact, everything comes under his purview. 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:34.879 It's not just the evil things that have to be destroyed and cast out. 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:41.559 It's anything that would stand as an obstacle to reunion with God. 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:45.840 This is actually what St. Paul was speaking about in the second reading. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:48.440 Do you remember that second reading? 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:54.320 I wouldn't blame you if you didn't because very few people ever read it let alone preach about it. 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:58.960 I can't remember a time when I was growing up where I heard a priest preach about it. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:01.720 Maybe it's because they were a little uncomfortable. 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:20.399 Maybe they didn't feel exactly confident standing in the Ambo saying, "Yes, St. Paul has instructed us that celibacy is in fact a more noble cause because a life without distraction." Feel the tension in the room right now? 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.440 We don't like that. 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:24.679 But let's investigate this for a moment. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:26.480 This is what St. Paul is speaking about. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:32.240 He's speaking about man and woman, which is marriage a good thing. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.759 Yeah, that's a very good thing. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.720 It's actually a really good thing. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.360 But can I tell you something? 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:39.759 I've only been a priest for six years. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:44.840 So a little bit of like a novice here. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:11:01.279 As of yet, I've never once had any married person come up to me during office hours or seeking some sort of counsel saying, "Oh, Father." The problem was, before I was married, I was just filled with so much anxiety. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:06.720 I was so busy all the time and now that I'm married, it's all gone. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:08.639 Now I have all the time in the world. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:12.639 I really don't know what to do with it and I need your help. 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:13.799 There are no distractions. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:19.519 I find myself sitting at home every day, wishing that there was something to do. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:23.879 I've run through my entire Netflix catalog. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:29.120 I'm holding on hope, maybe one day someone. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.120 I doubt it. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.120 I doubt it. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:45.879 No, because you live this life, you know that actually the goodness of marriage is that you do give yourself in love and so yes, your mind and your heart are entirely wrapped up and consumed with the goodness of the one that you love. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:53.120 Yeah, there's distractions in those sorts of things and this is what St. Paul is speaking about. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:12:06.000 When we encounter something as a part of the divine plan, it's not as if our Lord plans to destroy all good things. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:10.440 But what He does plan to do is bring all things back into union. 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:19.840 So if there is a good thing in your life, but it stands as an obstacle to God, well perhaps it won't be destroyed like the demons. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:32.639 But you better believe He has a plan to purify it, to reconcile it, to make it actually a contributor to the reunion and relationship with Him that He has in mind. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:36.759 So imagine for a moment a couple different things. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:39.080 Maybe you've got a great job. 00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:40.759 Maybe just a wonderful profession. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:43.480 You find meaning in your work every day. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:56.799 You think about how great it is that you're able to give of yourself great perks, great benefits, all of your gifts and skills are utilized, you rise through the ranks, you're recognized and honored. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.559 That is good. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:09.399 But if it stands in the way of you and God, know that no earthly ambition will be allowed to stand. 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:18.360 No worldly task will overcome the priority of reunion with God. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:24.080 Maybe you're a health nut, maybe you were just so concerned about your body, making sure you are fit, right? 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.240 My body is a microchip. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:27.679 You don't want anything to go wrong. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:28.679 That's great. 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:42.279 But if you elevate your body to the place of idol, it will be lowered because it cannot rise above the heights of the divine. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:45.279 Maybe you've got great friends and you invest everything in them. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:48.080 You affirm and uplift them and they do the same to you. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:14:00.559 But maybe that friendship or that circle of friends becomes insular to the point where no love is let in or out and God has no way to sneak into those relationships. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:06.000 If that's so, then once again it might not be destroyed. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:31.759 But it will be purified so that it can belong to the Lord because each of those good things and every good thing in your life, if it exists apart from God, it will ultimately break your heart and it won't be able to sustain you for the destiny you were made for. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:35.320 All of us encounter these particular things. 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:46.600 One of my spiritual fathers once said to me, "The Lord teaches us to set all our hope on Him and on His presence in our lives." We know that and try to do it. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:50.360 But the natural man inevitably lands his hope in lesser things. 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:52.879 Things we often did not realize. 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.360 It's different for different people. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:15:05.480 It might be health or security or friendship or meaningful service or a sense that the world is somehow progressing. 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:13.879 But our gracious Lord knows that there are weak reads that won't sustain the hope we need to gain the kingdom. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:22.000 Like a good and careful doctor, He works to transfer our foundational hope where it belongs. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:26.759 Some of His work is done quietly and we hardly know what's happening. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:38.840 But sometimes He will allow us to lose at least for a time what we have been hoping in so that we can set our hope where it belongs. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:47.320 When that happens, we're thrown into a season of a certain kind of death and mourning at the loss of something good. 00:15:47.320 --> 00:16:00.840 But it's a wholesome death because God doesn't intend to leave a void in the place of lost hope. 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:07.000 Let me phrase that really complicated saying in a simpler way. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:14.200 Each of the goods in our lives might look at our Lord and God and ask a simple question. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:19.159 Have you come to destroy us? 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:23.320 And the answer is not, of course. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:31.360 Instead, the answer is, I have come to do so much more. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:38.519 Won't leave a void in your heart, not leaving you for disappointment and brokenness. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:41.960 He's made you for happiness. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:47.279 And this is the joy of the Christian life. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.360 Remember that question of the demon today? 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.279 Did the Lord come primarily to destroy? 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:53.080 He did not. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:57.960 Abundant, full life with Him is the final goal. 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.960 He won't leave a void. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:04.200 He'll give you life that will make you actually happy. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:06.880 But learn also from the episode of the demon. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:15.200 Using an obstacle to the possessed man's happiness and the threat to his life, our Lord commands with authority. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:19.599 Quiet come out of Him. 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:22.119 That's exactly what the demon did. 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:25.839 He was vanquished with convulsions and loud cries. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:32.160 Such is the destiny of all obstacles to be attitude. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:42.640 And he knows your capacity for happiness and he will not be content with letting you lose out or compromising your salvation. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:47.400 Surely you're free to say no if you want to. 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:58.880 You are free to grasp and hold on to the goods in your life with a frenzied, sort of death grip and many will be tempted to do so. 00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:02.119 But for those who do cooperate with the divine plan, there is a certainty. 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:17.480 Not only of heaven, but of all that heaven entails the restoration of all goods given and lost up to 30, 60 and 100fold. 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:24.160 And the promise that all loves will be recognized and returned. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:35.240 See in the Gospel today a new teaching with authority and allow that teaching to examine your life and speak to you of the path to paradise. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:43.819 And no matter what the cost, as the psalmist says today, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:43.819 Amen. 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.200 Amen. 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:48.200 (suspenseful music)