Daily Readings - Tue Jan 12 2021
Hebrews
5Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.6It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?7You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor,8putting 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.9But 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.10For 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.11For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,12saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."
Mark
21And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.23And 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."25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.27And 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."28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on the nature of Jesus' authority and humanity's place in God's plan. The passage from Hebrews reminds us that God has entrusted humanity with dominion over creation, just below the angels, and that Jesus, through his Passion, has been crowned with glory and honor. This text emphasizes Jesus' role in salvation, highlighting that he is not ashamed to call us his brothers, illustrating a deep bond between the divine and human.
In the Gospel of Mark, we witness Jesus teaching with authority in the synagogue, where he confronts and casts out an unclean spirit. This episode showcases Jesus' divine authority, as even the spirits obey him. The people are amazed, recognizing the new doctrine and power that Jesus embodies. This event establishes Jesus' identity and mission, demonstrating that his authority is not just over spirits but over all aspects of human life.
These readings invite us to reflect on Jesus' authority in our lives. Just as the people in Capernaum recognized his power, we too can acknowledge his dominion over our struggles and sins. By trusting in Jesus' authority, we submit to his will, allowing him to guide and transform us. This submission leads to freedom and new life, as seen in the man delivered from the spirit. Let us embrace Jesus' authority, trusting in his power to lead us through life's challenges, and find peace in his divine care.