Gospel: Mk 1:21-28
They went into the town of Capernaum and Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority, and not like the teachers of the law.
It happened that, a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue, and he shouted, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of God.” Then Jesus faced him and said with authority, “Be silent, and come out of this man!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and, with a loud shriek, came out of him.
All the people were astonished, and they wondered, “What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him!” And Jesus’ fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee.
Reflections
HE SPOKE AS ONE WITH AUTHORITY
The disciples and the other people who listened to him could not but be astonished how a carpenter’s son could speak with such authority and Mark even makes a jibe at the “teachers of the law” who did not seem to speak with authority. What makes a person speak with authority is if he is speaking the truth and he knows what he is talking about. There are many preachers in our time who also do not speak with authority because they speak in platitudes or, as somebody put it, “platitudinous preponderances.” They spout motherhood statements that you cannot argue with but do not have relevance to those who are listening. In fact even Pope Francis speaks about homilies that “torture” the congregation because the priest has not prepared his sermon and therefore goes off into outer space and cannot make any landing but makes several take offs when you think he is about to end. How different it is when someone speaks from the heart, from one’s own experience, and touches the heart of the listeners. Then one can go home from Sunday Mass inspired and encouraged to have compassion and love towards others.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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