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Our Sunday Reflection - January 28, 2024
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His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Mark 1:28
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Can you believe it’s been over a month since we celebrated Christmas? By now, our decorations are likely back in their boxes and the warm glow of the holidays has faded, but let us not forget that our greatest Christmas gift ever—the Son of God—remains with us always. Even on an ordinary day in the middle of winter, he is with us here as we gather to celebrate the meal he left us before he died. Let us give thanks as we receive him once again in the Eucharist.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Moses told the people that one day God would send a prophet from among their descendants who would speak God’s word with authority. We believe that this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, who in the Gospel speaks God’s word with such authority that even the unclean spirits obey him! We may be anxious about many things, to use Saint Paul’s words, but let the knowledge that God can dispel the darkness in our lives give us hope.Reflections
- It is interesting that Mark chooses not to write anything about what Jesus taught in the synagogue, but only about how he taught. Twice he says that Jesus taught with authority. Teaching with authority can mean two different things. The obvious meaning is reflected in the way Jesus confronts the unclean spirit: he orders it to come out of the man and the unclean spirit obeys. But teachers also speak with authority when they know the subject inside and out. Clearly, no one knows the subject of God or faith better than Jesus. This is the authority the unclean spirit recognizes. Jesus is able to interpret the law beyond measure because he himself has come to fulfill it.
- Mark also contrasts Jesus’ teaching with the scribes, much maligned in the Gospels. It is not their fault; no matter how much the scribes studied the law, they could not truly understand it as Jesus could. Therefore, when we attempt to discern what Jesus would teach us today about our current issues and problems, we look to his authority in both senses: inspiring obedience and knowing God’s will.
- “Have you come to destroy us?” asks the unclean spirit in the Gospel, knowing that without a person to reside in, it was doomed (Mark 1:24). Indeed, Jesus only expels the unclean spirit from the poor man; he does not slay it. In a way it is destroyed, however, because it no longer has a host. The unclean spirit is made powerless and the man is freed of his torment. But the man would be wise to avoid the vulnerability that could lead to this demon returning to him, for it is only defeated for now, not destroyed forever. We too depend upon a higher power to exorcise our demons, but forever taking care to resist their reappearance later.
Question of the Week
Can I identify an unclean spirit in me that seeks to destroy me? Can I find the courage to ask God to free me from this demon?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, January 28, 2024
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, January 28, 2024
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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News from the Vatican
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