In today's Gospel Jesus arouses amazement in people by his authoritative word, healing in the synagogue a possessed man who was trying to "exorcise" the presence of the Lord.
In the Franciscan Sources we find that assiduous contemplation and purity of life had made Francis powerful over evil by grace, making him a credible witness to the Lord through numerous healings.
The Sources eloquently illuminate in this regard:
"People of all ages [...] ran to see and hear that new man.
He pilgrimaged through the various regions, fervently proclaiming the Gospel; and the Lord cooperated, confirming the Word with the miracles that accompanied it.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord, Francis, preacher of the truth, cast out demons, healed the sick" (FF 1212).
Once "I do not know how to qualify the horrible illness from which a brother suffered, some attributed it to the presence of an evil devil. The poor man would often throw himself to the ground and, squinting his eyes in a horrible way, he would foam all over his mouth; his limbs now contracted, now stretched out, now rigid, now bent and twisted [...] Saint Francis had immense compassion for him, went to him, blessed him, humbly praying to God, and the sick man obtained prompt and complete health and never suffered such an evil again" (FF 440).
"In Città di Castello, a woman was possessed by an evil and furious spirit: as soon as the Saint [...] had obediently ordered [him to come out of her], the demon fled full of indignation, leaving the poor obsessed woman free in body and soul" (FF 1219)
Francis had married the Light that gave no more room to evil.
"They were amazed at his teaching because his Word was with authority" (Lk 4:32).
Tuesday of the 22nd wk. in O.T. (Lk 4:31-37)