1st Week in Ordinary Time
10th January 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: HEBREWS 2. 5-12
5.For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6.It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7.You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8.putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9.But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10.For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11.For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12.saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
PSALM 8: 12ab and 5, 6-7a, 7b-9 (R. see 7a)
Response: You have given your Son power over the works of your hands
Gospel : MARK 1. 21b-28
(In the City of Capernaum) On the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22.And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23.And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24.“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.” 25.But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26.And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27.And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28.And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Authority with a difference!
Indicative: The authority of Jesus was something totally different from the rest. This must serve as a challenge and corrective for all against all spirit of deterioration{alertSuccess}
1. People of Jesus’ time marveled at his teaching because he taught with authority. It was a teaching that was straight and direct. It was not teaching that was rhetoric but authentic. It was not teaching seeking to impress others about himself but impress God’s message and word on their hearts.
2. From where does this authority come? It was an authority rooted in God in a deep spirituality, lived in a life of integrity, based on virtue and value, and shown concretely in benevolence through acts of healing and kindness.
3. Exorcism was a concrete instance of this authority. The cause of his authority is the Spirit and power of God. The effect is cleansing from evil spirits. Thus, Jesus’ authority leads to healing. This healing is not merely an individual act of healing. It is much beyond. It is an act of restoration.
4. What is restored? The lost dignity is restored. The lost freedom and inner liberation is restored. The lost grace is restored. The lost relationships are restored. The lost purity and cleanness of the heart is restored. The lost fraternal bonding is restored. The lost power of God is restored.
5. In other words, Jesus’ authority was an authority that was characterised by humility, obedience to God’s will, and solidarity with others. Any authority that is arrogant, does not obey God’s will, and fails to be concerned and solidary with others, is not a godly authority.
6. Today each one must check upon the quality and direction of our authority. Everyone, in their own way, be it in family, company, or community exercises some kind of authority. But the question is, is it a spiritual, integral, and benevolent authority?
Imperative: In a world where there is a degeneration of power and authority, we are summoned to exercise and foster the authority of God and good{alertSuccess}