THE WORD
Heb 2,5-12 / Mk 1,21-28
When Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
IN OTHER WORDS
One time the son was asked by the father to show his report card.
Father: You have again a failing grade. Why don't you imitate Peter who is consistently an honors student?
Son: Dad, it's unfair to compare me with Peter?
Dad: Why?
Son: His father is intelligent.
It seems to be a human tendency to compare - especially highlighting the defects of one and the good qualities of the other. In today's gospel, we see how the people of Capernaum could not help but compare Jesus with others. Here in the early part of Jesus' public life, He was compared to those who preached in the synagogue. They saw at once the difference between Jesus and the Scribes: He taught with authority. Jesus' authority was further proven when the unclean spirit obeyed Him. Why did He speak with such authority? First of all, because His message came from the heart. He was passionate about what He preached and how he behaved. All this reflected the very reason why He came: to reveal God's unconditional love and His very person is the embodiment of that Love. Secondly, He knew a lot about the message and was, thus, confident with what He said and did. Thirdly, there was consistency in what Jesus said and did. His was not merely words but His words were followed by actions. As the saying goes "He walks the talk, and He talks the walk." May we not only admire the message of the passionate, confident, and consistent Jesus but also follow and live it too.
- Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD (HNU, Bohol)
The Word in other words 2017
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
