Daily Readings - Tue Jan 15 2019
Hebrews
5For God did not subject the future world, about which we are speaking, to the Angels6But someone, in a certain place, has testified, saying: "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the Son of man, that you visit him7You have reduced him to a little less than the Angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, and you have set him over the works of your hands8You have subjected all things under his feet." For in as much as he has subjected all things to him, he has left nothing not subject to him. But in the present time, we do not yet perceive that all things have been made subject to him9Yet we understand that Jesus, who was reduced to a little less than the Angels, was crowned with glory and honor because of his Passion and death, in order that, by the grace of God, he might taste death for all10For it was fitting for him, because of whom and through whom all things exist, who had led many children into glory, to complete the authorship of their salvation through his Passion11For he who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, are all from One. For this reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying12"I will announce your name to my brothers. In the midst of the Church, I will praise you.
Mark
21And they entered into Capernaum. And entering into the synagogue promptly on the Sabbaths, he taught them22And they were astonished over his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one who has authority, and not like the scribes23And in their synagogue, there was a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out24saying: "What are we to you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.25And Jesus admonished him, saying, "Be silent, and depart from the man.26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, departed from him27And they were all so amazed that they inquired among themselves, saying: "What is this? And what is this new doctrine? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.28And his fame went out quickly, throughout the entire region of Galilee
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the authority and mission of Jesus Christ, as well as our own place within God’s plan. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear a profound meditation on the dignity of humanity and the role of Jesus as the one who brings salvation. The author of Hebrews reminds us that God has crowned humanity with glory and honor, placing us just below the angels, but it is through Jesus that we understand the fullness of this dignity. Jesus, who was made “a little less than the angels,” took on human flesh, suffered, and died to bring salvation to all. This passage emphasizes that Jesus is not only our savior but also our brother, sharing in our humanity and sanctifying us through his Passion.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The people are astonished at his authority, for he teaches not like the scribes but as one who has true power. This authority is demonstrated when Jesus confronts an unclean spirit in the synagogue. The spirit recognizes Jesus as the “Holy One of God” and is cast out by Jesus’ command. This event shows that Jesus’ authority extends not only to teaching but also to the spiritual realm, as he has power over evil itself. The crowd is amazed, and Jesus’ fame spreads throughout Galilee. This passage highlights the uniqueness of Jesus’ mission and the impact of his presence in the world.
These readings are deeply connected. The letter to the Hebrews explains the theological significance of Jesus’ mission, while the Gospel from Mark shows that mission in action. Together, they remind us that Jesus is both the savior who brings us closer to God and the one who has authority over all things, including the forces of evil. In our daily lives, we are called to recognize Jesus’ authority and to trust in his power to transform our lives. Just as the people in Capernaum were amazed by Jesus’ teaching and actions, we too can experience his transformative power if we open our hearts to him. Let us strive to live as children of God, aware of our dignity and our mission to bring God’s love into the world.