A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 1:21-28)
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Mark tells us in the Gospel about Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. As he teaches, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cries out to him, recognizing him as the Holy One of God. Jesus exorcises the unclean spirit as the people present witness his power and authority over evil spirits. In teaching and in his power over evil, Jesus reveals his role as the Son of God, as Savior of us all. This is Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary but also Son of David, who they begin to see demonstrating his divine authority over sin and death. As his fame spreads, this hearkens back to the words of the LORD to Moses and the Israelites: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth.”
God, thank you for the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus that continues today in the liturgy and sacraments of the Church. In the synagogue, Jesus astonished people with his teaching and amazed them with “a new teaching with authority” under which unclean spirits are subject to his commands. The unclean spirit identifies Jesus not only as the Holy one of God but also the hometown son of Joseph and Mary. He is both. Lord, help me recognize in Jesus an advocate who intercedes for me, familiar with all of the struggles of earthly existence, yet one capable with a divine word of expelling all that separates me from you.
From the responsorial psalm: “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Make a one-time donation
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateMake a monthly donation
Your contribution is appreciated.
Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation
Your contribution is appreciated.
Donate yearly