Breaking the Word

GOSPEL  READING  Mk 1: 21-28

Jesus’ teaching was different from the rest of the religious teachers, and preachers. The listeners found in his teaching something that was different. He taught them with authority. The others taught what they had learned from whereas Jesus taught from within. This is the indirect way of Mark telling that Jesus is the Word. Jesus spoke from his own experience of the Father for he had come to reveal the Father.

Even the evil spirits recognized him. In fact they recognize him first and even before he commands them to leave they approve of his authority and ask him not to disturb them. Through this the mission of Jesus is also revealed. That is, Jesus has come to reveal the Father and also to overcome the evil or to remove the evil form the lives of the people.

GOSPEL  READING Mk 1:7-11

Jesus receives Baptism before he begins his public ministry. His life until then has been a life in the family or a life that has not been seen by the public. Though he does not need to be baptized yet he accepts it to show the people that he begins his public ministry through this. He is baptized by John the Baptist. 

The external sign of receiving the baptism from the hands of John reveals that he is also accepted and recognized by the Father. He hears the voice from the heavens telling him that he is the beloved son of the Father and this recognition was supported by the sending of the Holy Spirit. It is this that makes the Baptism of Jesus real and makes him ready for his public ministry.