Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 12, 2021
First Reading: Hebrews 2.5-12
5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.6But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:8Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,12Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Psalm 8
1O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?5For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:7All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.9O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Gospel: Mark 1.21-28
21And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.22And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.26And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.27And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.28And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about 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.