Exercise our authority to expel evil

I wonder if, like in this morning’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:21-28), someone in here in our house of worship possess of an unclean spirit.  Look around you.  Might that person in the pew over there be consumed or obsessed by something contrary to the holy and sacred?  I wonder if anyone here this morning is in need of exorcism?  I won’t ask for a show of hands.

How about this… by show of hands, how many of you have observed unclean spirits outside the walls of this church – anti-human things contrary to the holy and sacred - that are in need of exorcizing?

Who in here believes they have been given the authority to cleanse and redeem through participation with power of the Holy Spirit?

On one hand, the idea of exorcism conjures up sometimes easy-to-dismiss-as-silly Hollywood images of special effects (spinning heads, etc.).  On the other hand, we have significant biblical references to the practice, the contemporary reality that people still seek them, and explicit instructions “Concerning Exorcism” in our Book of Occasional Services that say, “The practice of expelling evil spirits by means of prayer and set formulas derives its authority from the Lord himself who identified this acts as signs of his messiahship…. In accordance with…established tradition, those who find themselves in need of such a ministry should make the fact known to the bishop, through their parish priest, in order that the bishop may determine whether exorcism is needed, who is to perform the rite, and what prayers or other formularies are to be used.”

Further, some of the liturgical formulas for consecrating holy water incorporate words of exorcism and some forms of house blessings include essentially exorcism rites. 

The concept of our expelling corrupting and evil forces is part of the Good News we inherit as Christians.

Part of what the Spirit is calling us to consider this morning is the authority and power to liberate God’s creation from the bondage of sin and evil.

This liturgical year (Year B), we’re hearing primarily from the Gospel of Mark.  Although we’re still early in the liturgical year and therefore still in the first chapters of Mark, we’re told later in this Gospel that a sign of those who believe will be that they cast out demons in Jesus’s name (Mark 16:17).  In fact, all the Gospels (E.g.,  Matthew 10:7-8; Mark 13:34; Luke 10:17-20; and John 14:12) and some subsequent stories (E.g., Acts16:18)  are clear that faithful followers of Christ have been given authority to continue in Christ’s ministry, including casting out of demons.  And, there is even one story in the Gospels (E.g., Luke 9:49-50 and Mark 9:38-39) in which Christ’s students are concerned because they’ve seen someone, not a known follower, casting out demons in Jesus’s name – Jesus reassures them that is not only o.k., but a good thing.

In our Holy Baptism we say that we will “persevere in resisting evil” and “renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God” before we are lead through the water “from bondage to sin into everlasting life” and filled with and sealed by the Holy Spirit and “marked as Christ’s own forever.”  The Gospel of John (John 7:38-39) reminds us that out of the heart of believers the Spirit will pour rivers of living water.

All of this depends on authority.  Authority first that Christ Jesus manifested for us.  And then the authority passed on to use through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Can you hear the Spirit this morning calling us to participate in the liberation of things that are inappropriately bound or restricted… to participate in redemption of God’s family in Jesus’s name?

FYI: On this date 151 years ago, Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state, standing against slavery.  That ideological battle would rage on for many years afterwards.  Ultimately, the spirit of justice and freedom prevail.

(STORY: being asked to exorcise a demon during my CPE experience)

(STORY: serving on healing prayer team at my last two churches – being exposed to the demons that people presented and their requests for healing and cleansing of unholy things that had on their lives)

In the Gospel of Mark, there is a lot of talk about demonic forces being exercised and exorcised by Jesus’s very presence.  After Jesus is baptized, his mettle and spiritual authority is tested by Satan himself and then Jesus spends the rest of his ministry bringing light to dark places and situation, compelling the corruption possessing our bodies and lurking in our institutions to come out, be exposed, and to leave.

With the coming of Christ, evil has been put on alert that the Kingdom of God is now at hand.  No corrupting force can prevail over the love of God for God’s creation – the Jesus’s healing ministry and resurrection of Christ from death itself assures us of that.  Good news, indeed!  And we have been called to join him in this triumphant march of transforming love.

As one commentator put it, “Careful readers of Mark’s Gospel are put on notice from chapter 1 that the boundary-breaking, demon-dashing, law-transcending Son of God has arrived in the person of Jesus, and he expects of his followers far more than ‘amazement’.” (Gary W. Charles of Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Gerogia as quoted in Feasting on the Word)

Yes, we heard in today’s Gospel lesson that church-going (those in the synagogue) folk were astounded/amazed by his teachings and actions… because of the authority he demonstrated.  We are called beyond simply being impressed by Jesus.  Having been baptized into Christ’s mystical body, we are heirs to Jesus’s authority through the Holy Spirit and compelled to act on it – teaching, healing, and helping redeem in his name.

If someone has come into this place today possessed by something unholy, we invite you to freedom and liberation in Christ’s name right now.  We invite you to the cleansing waters of baptism, to receive nourishment from Jesus’s meal at this table, and to receive prayers and blessings as often as you need them.  Talk to any of us after the service if you need our help in claiming hope and new life in Christ’s name.

And, as we leave this church today, let us each be alert and aware to how evil might respond to the presence of Holy Spirit within us when we go about daily routines.  Following our Lord’s example, notice those people and situations around us in which darkness seems to linger.  Dare to do something about it!

Do not be afraid.  Go forth in safety and love to proclaim the Good News to those in need.

Although tradition tells us to proceed with caution in the matter of full-blown formal rites of exorcism (that undertaking requires exceptional preparation and prudence by those with more experience), tradition also shows us very clearly that with and through our faith in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are authorized in Jesus’s name to pray for the expulsion of evil and to work and witness for freedom, liberation, and healing in his name.

Another show of hands, how many of you have observed unclean spirits outside the walls of this church – anti-human things contrary to the holy and sacred – situations and people that need to be liberated from the bondage of evil?

Who in here believes they have been given the authority to cleanse, heal, and redeem through participation with power of the Holy Spirit in Christ’s name?

AMEN.

Baptism – His and ours

Less than two weeks ago, we were remembering Jesus’ birth.  Jesus has matured rapidly these past twelve days – Christmastide ended this past Friday.  Now we’re hearing about our Lord’s baptism and launch of his ministry as an adult as we enter this season of Epiphany, which lasts for a little less than two months. These next seven weeks are jam-packed with essential lessons that help us renew our faith and Christian commitments.

Epiphany is a season for us to focus on the manifested identity of Jesus as the Son, our Lord, Christ.  For these next seven weeks, in the Gospel lessons, almost exclusively from writings attributed to Mark, we’re going to be reminded of Jesus’s divine identity and the essence of his mission and ministry, including:

• -       his Spirit-filled baptism;
• -       calling of his disciples;
• -       teaching and preaching;
• -       casting out of demons;
• -       and redemptive/restorative acts of healing. 

Our Epiphany season Gospel readings will conclude with our Lord’s transfiguration on a mountain alongside appearances of Elijah and Moses.  And these are just the Gospel lessons!

Also in Epiphany this year, through other lectionary readings, we’re reminded of:

• -       God’s calling of Samuel (“here I am…your servant is listening”)  [1 Sam 3:1-20]
• -       The sending of Jonah to call Nineveh to repentance [Jonah 3:1-10]
• -       That we are to be exemplars, not stumbling blocks, for others seeking Christ [1 Cor 8:1-13]
• -       That we are servants of Christ sent to meet people where they are to share the Good News [1 Cor 9:16-23; 2 Cor 4:3-6]

Essentially, this season will be a crash course in what it means to be a follower of Jesus and an evangelist of Christ. 

Today is known in our church calendar as the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.  It’s one of the Sundays during which we traditionally initiate new members into our church family through baptism.  Although I’ve been told that we’re not actually baptizing anyone here this morning, it’s nonetheless an opportunity for us to renew our baptismal beliefs and promises.  After this sermon, we will, together, new renew aloud the vows of our Baptismal Covenant.

Today’s lessons speak to us about the power of baptism in Christ’s name with water and the Holy Spirit.  The reading from Genesis (Gen 1:1-15) speaks to us about order, light, and life being called out of dark, primordial waters by the breath/wind/spirit of God.  The Psalmist (Psalm 29) tells us that the voice of God over the waters invokes creation with blessings of peace and strength.  In the Epistle (Acts 19:1-7), Paul calls us to participate with the power of the Holy Spirit through baptism in Jesus’s name.  In the Gospel (Mark 1:4-11), we hear of how Jesus, once again in solidarity with us, participates with a community of believers in the symbolic act of repentance under John’s hands in the waters of the Jordan River and is then explicitly connected with God as the Beloved through the Holy Spirit – bringing us all into a transformed relationship.

Now, let’s engage in some conversation about what baptism means to us today in order that we re-commission ourselves to more faithful work and witness as baptized Christians.

Baptism.  What is it?  The rite of Holy Baptism is one of the two ‘dominical’ (instituted by our Lord) sacraments given by Christ to his Church (the other being Holy Eucharist).  Let’s use some of the words in our Book of Common Prayer to stimulate some discussion about baptism.

First, turn to page 858 and take a moment to read the questions and answers about Holy Baptism in our Catechism.

Q: What jumps out at you from what you read here?

• -       outward sign of water (more on this later)
• -       ‘adopted’ as God’s children and made members of Christ’s body (with all benefits),
• -       united with Christ in both death and resurrection, being forgiven and granted new life,
• -       we’re required to renounce bad stuff, repent, and accept new responsibilities

Now turn with me to pages 306-307 and read what is said during the “Thanksgiving over the Water.”

Q: What speaks to you the most in this thanksgiving over the Water?

• -       From the beginning of creation (and we’re created in a watery womb)
• -       Passage through from bondage to liberation, from desert into promised land
• -       In it we are also buried (death to old ways)
• -       We are cleansed, resurrected, born anew

Q: How many of you have been baptized?  How many of you remember your baptism?  (invite sharing about what this has meant – the decision and the ongoing influence of this commitment)

(anecdote about my baptism as an adult a little over ten years ago – decision & life-changing implications)

at Jordan River with Bishop of Los Angeles preparing for renewal of Baptismal Covenant (June 2010)

Together, we’re about to say aloud our vows of the Baptismal Covenant.  You can turn to page 304 of the BCP or follow along in your bulletin.  As we do this together, notice that we’re doing two things together – essentially affirming what we agree that we believe in (through the words of the Apostle’s Creed) AND what we promise to do as a result of belief.  

This isn’t just a recitation of what we accept intellectually – it’s an affirmation of where we place our trust, confirmation of the roots of our faith, and declaration of our commitments to live and love together as followers of Jesus and evangelists of Christ’s Good News. 

If you’ve not yet been baptized, listen carefully to what is said and consider the life one is invited into through baptism:

o   Teaching, fellowship, “breaking of bread”

§  Some of which we do together every Sunday...

o   Renounce evil and continually repent (renew/realign)

§  What do you need to renounce in your life today?

§  What does it look and sound like for you to repent?

o   Offer witness with both our words and actions

§  Episcopal evangelism (oxymoron?)

o   Serve Christ by living into the second of the greatest commandments

§  One of the hardest of all, if we really take it seriously

o   Strive for justice, peace, and dignity for ALL

§  More than just a state of mind or matter of perspective, it means putting ourselves on the line to defend, protect, and advocate

This week, and going forward through this Epiphany season, let’s review, pray about, and discuss these vows that we’ve made with each other as we’ve joined together in the body of Christ through Holy Baptism.  


Why Holy Baptism?  What difference does it make in your life and our communal life together in Christ’s name?  How do people outside these walls experience us as baptized Christians – what are we doing to live into our covenant?

We’re told that “the bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble” (BCP rubrics, p. 298).  If you’ve not yet been baptized, but yearn for lasting bonds in Christ’s family, consider today the open invitation to join us through this holy rite. 

God is forever faithful and merciful to us through Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Let our lives be an example of how we’re faithful to God and our neighbors in like manner.

(BCP, p. 306) Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever.

at Jordan River with pilgrims from Diocese of Los Angeles celebrating renewal of our Baptismal Covenant (June 2010)

AMEN