First Reading - Hebrews 2:5-12
Gospel - Mark 1:21-28
The gospel of the day draws our attention to the influence of the authority or 'exorcia' of Jesus. The authority in his teachings and the miraculous signs of overthrowing the bondage of satan. Jesus made the city of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the center of the fishing business, his headquarters. There he started his preaching, teaching and healing ministry. The people were impressed by the authority of his teaching. The Old Testament prophets had taught using God’s delegated authority, and the scribes and Pharisees taught quoting Moses, the prophets and the great rabbis. But Jesus taught using his own authority and knowledge as God. Perfect knowledge of God, perfect accomplishment of God’s will, and absolute confidence in God were the sources of Jesus’ authority. The same authority is also demonstrated in his healing of the man possessed by an unclean spirit.
The first reading presents the reflection on the psalm 8. The psalm usually speaks about the humanity in general but the author applies this sense for Jesus. Jesus by his incarnation relegates his authority as the Son of God but by his suffering the authority is regained and the authority is shared with all others. It's by his suffering we become his brothers and sisters in God.
My dear friends, the concept of authority is usually suppressive and oppressive but the readings of the day invite us to view the flipside of the authority which is liberating and inclusive. Jesus was God but he taught with his life not by oppression or suppression. He taught by his suffering that the humanity is perfected in his suffering. The authority of Jesus was inclusive so that no one can be lost. The worldly authority can be suppressive and suffocating, if that does not become liberating and inclusive by making impact on the lives of others not by force but by example, by authentic life as Jesus showed us. May God help us to imitate Jesus more perfectly in his footsteps.
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