Daily Readings - Tue Jan 15 2019
Hebrews
5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.6But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?7You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor8and put everything under his feet.? In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.12He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
Mark
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."28News about him spread quickly over the whole 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.