When I was 16 years old, “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” was released in theaters. One particular scene from this movie came to mind as I was pondering our readings for this Sunday. It is a moment where Yoda, the diminutive green sage mainly known for his wisdom and gravitas, confronts Count Dooku, an evil man corrupted by the dark side of the Force. Even if you aren’t familiar with the characters, just watching this scene would probably make you smile. I remember watching it in the theater, and when it happened, the whole movie audience, including me, broke out in spontaneous cheers and applause. We did so because Yoda, this relatively calm little character, whipped out his lightsaber and suddenly sprang to life: jumping, spinning and flying around with his weapon like a madman as he fought Count Dooku. It was awesome to see.
Moments like this are so entertaining because they remind us of the glory and excitement of the battle between good and evil. Yoda’s springing into decisive action shows who he is at his core, not just a tiny wise man, but a fierce fighter not deterred by his small size.
Instinctively, we all know we need fighters in our lives. When I think back on my own life, I am grateful for people who have been wonderful examples to me of fighting the good fight: priests, teachers, my parents, my brothers and sisters in Christ. And we can be fighters for others too! Through the power of the Holy Spirit when we were baptized into Christ, we all have it within ourselves to fight that good fight.
We can be confident that we have the strength within because of what we see Jesus doing in the Gospel today. Confronted with the evil spirits who bring death, darkness and suffering to people, with a single command Jesus defeats them, casting them out of those who had fallen under their influence and power. The power of these evil spirits is nothing in the face of the Son of God.
By coming and bringing people freedom through His words of power, Jesus shows by His actions who He is and what He is about. He is not just another of the many teachers or would-be prophets who had come and gone. He came to Capernaum not just to bring words of wisdom, but with the power of God Himself, able to drive out the evil that corrupts us and keeps us from having the full, authentic life that God has created us for. He came to help people walk in the light so that they might one day inherit the kingdom of Heaven. That is what Jesus is fighting for, not worldly renown or power, but righteousness that leads to eternal life with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
By His actions, words and divine authority, He is revealing Himself as the fulfillment of the prophecy made by Moses at the end of his earthly journey. Moses is a towering figure in the history of God’s Holy People. He was the chosen one who spoke in God’s power to Pharaoh and helped lead the people of Israel during their forty years of trial and testing in the desert. As we heard in the first reading, the Lord spoke to Moses saying: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.” Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. He isn’t just any prophet, but the fullness of God united to our humanity, Whose prophetic words have the power to heal us and cast out all that afflicts us in our innermost selves.
So this Sunday, as we read about Jesus and His mighty power, the question we all have to ask ourselves is: do I want that power for myself? I think if we are honest, to one degree or another we all resist His power. There are places in our hearts where we actually agree more with the evil spirit which we hear from in the Gospel today. I know there are areas in my life where I am tempted to say: “What have you to do with me, Jesus of Nazareth?” There are places where I shrink back from letting Jesus in. I am fine with Jesus being Lord of this or that part of my life, but maybe He can just leave this other little part for me to handle. The temptation to shut the Lord out is always there. When we depart from the Lord, when we misuse that great gift of freedom that we’ve been given and twist it to choose things that are only distortions of real life and love, we end up in dark and miserable places.
So our challenge is to let the Lord in and pray with all our heart, mind, soul and strength: “Jesus please fight for me and in me. Jesus, be my strength in my weakness. Help me to be the person I can only be with your grace. I surrender my life to your love and power.” This is a bold prayer, but one which will help us to know true life and love, the fullness of freedom that Jesus bought for us on the Cross. I pray that through prayer and our encounter with Jesus in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, we will more and more experience His victory in us and the goodness of His freedom. May we be victorious through, with, and in Him.
+ Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us Jesus to be our victorious Lord. Jesus, our victor in battle, help us trust you to cast out the darkness in us and keep us on the narrow path to Heaven. Help us to be those who shine with your light so that more and more others can see and enter into the freedom you offer. Holy Spirit, increase our longing for the true life and love Jesus offers us and give us courage to fight for them with Your grace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. +