Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1, 21-28
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
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.
They were astonished
1. Capernaum. They entered a place where there was indifference, a place where people had the habit of labeling and where there was very little religiosity. Maybe today you must take the risk of going places that are hard for you, to get to people who have ignored you or hurt you, to enter a house where you are labeled by people. Take it as a challenge to go to that place where they talk about you, even when they don’t really know you, so that they might get to know you and change their minds. Take on the challenge of sharing time with those who are nearby and don’t know you well, so that they can get to know who you are.
2. Authority. Authority doesn’t give you any power, but rather it’s the power that you achieve before others through your attitude in life and the way you live. You can’t use a position or a role to have authority. It’s achieved through your accomplishments and self-improvement, through facing life and assuming who you are. Sacrifices in your life lead you to value the things of life that you have are acquired and that manner of living and being is what gives you authority.
3. Unclean spirit. You and I can help relieve the suffering of a lot of people. Don’t purposefully hit a raw nerve, and help people to heal instead. Don’t be insidious, rather help soothe the life of those who are going through a rough time. Sometimes we become promoters of pain more than facilitators of consolation. Today make an effort to help others to lead their lives with more ease and solace and less pressure.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
