1st Week of Ordinary Time, Tuesday – 12th January 2021 — Gospel: Mark 1:21-28
Power of His Words
Jesus continues his preaching and healing ministry in and around the Sea of Galilee. In the synagogue of Capernaum he attends a Sabbath service. There he comes in conflict with a person possessed by an evil spirit that identifies Jesus publicly. With the same commanding authority he used to illumine the Scripture, Jesus rebukes the power of evil. In putting this story within the framework of Jesus’ preaching ministry, the evangelist highlights Jesus’ power as a teacher (1,2-22; and 1,27-28). In other words, the same power that enabled Jesus to drive out demons is also present in him when he preaches and teaches. Thus Jesus’ power, through his word, is made available to many more. Wherever Jesus’ word is heard and read, his power is there to heal people from evil forces which disrupt their lives. We become more like him when we listen and heal the broken people with the power of his words.
