When our Lord spoke, people listened. They were astounded by the wisdom that was imparted. They were healed, delivered and set free in Christ as he spoke with authority and conviction. He knew where he came from and where he was going. He lived, moved and had his being in the Father. Today’s Gospel proclamation narrates the story of the deliverance of the man with an unclean spirit. A few verses prior we hear of Jesus’ proclamation, “the Kingdom of God is near, repent and believe in the good news”, and now he demonstrates that with signs and wonders. He was God but emptied himself of his divinity. So how was all this possible? Christ did what he saw his Father doing and depended on the Holy Spirit, in his times of intimacy in prayer. He ministered from a right identity and relationship. In examining our hearts, let us ask ourselves, have we lost that intimacy with God or our dependence on the Holy Spirit? Have we truly repented of our selfish ways of thinking and given them to God in confession?

Prayer: Abba Father, help me to come back to the heart of intimacy that I may demonstrate your power with signs and wonders. Amen.