Today’s Gospel passage tells us, “The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.” This passage is from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to Mark. Earlier in this chapter, we see some of the things the apostles did, which they now report to Jesus. Verse 13 of this chapter says, “They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, the apostles said to Jesus, “We cast out many demons in your name” (Matthew 7:22). Do we still have demons around us? How do we spot the activities of demons today?
In his book, The Devil, Bishop Robert Barron helps us answer this question by reminding us of the names the Bible gives the devil. For this homily, I will focus on one of the biblical names for the devil. The Greek version of the name is diabolos, the Spanish name is diablo, and in French, it is le diable. In Greek, the verb diaballein means “to cast apart,” “to throw apart,” “to scatter.” Bishop Barron used this etymology to explain: “The great sign of the demonic is scattering.” He adds that the scattering power comes from the devil, so when families get scattered, when relationships are broken, and when there is division in communities, we can easily conclude that the devil is at work.
In contrast, God brings people together. It is the Holy Spirit at work when people come together in love and unity. The readings for today’s Mass highlight God’s desire for the unity of his creatures. In the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, God says, “Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture.” He adds, “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock … and bring them back to their meadow … I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them.” In the Second Reading, St. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, points out that Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled through Christ. The Gentiles who were once far off have become near by the blood of Christ. Paul identified Jesus as “Our Peace,” for he made both Jews and Gentiles one by breaking down the dividing wall of enmity between them and reconciling them in God through his cross. So, the devil scatters while God gathers. My dearly beloved in Christ, to which side do you belong? The scattering or the gathering? What role do you play in your family? Are you an agent of reconciliation or an agent of division? Do your choices bring your family together, or do they scatter your family? When friends, spouses, siblings, etc. quarrel and one of them come to you, do you take steps that lead to reconciliation, or do you give advice that deepens the cut? When you show up for a meeting, do issues get resolved easily, or do you make matters more difficult to resolve? What brings peace to your office? Your presence or your absence? My dear friend, if you doubt whether your words and actions are of God or of the devil, ask yourself, “Am I gathering or scattering?”
It is the wish of Jesus Christ that his followers gather. We gather together when we extend a hand of mercy and forgiveness to those who offend and or persecute us. We gather when we live our lives intentionally in ( agape) love; may the love of Christ dwell in our hearts.
Amen. Thank you so much, Oyine!