Fr. Mike’s Homily for Tuesday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Fr. Mike’s Homily for Tuesday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: Public ministry of Jesus

By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

Homily for Tuesday January 11 2022

Mk 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

The Gospel today is a description of the typical day in the life of Jesus during His public ministry. It consists of teaching and healing. The center of much of His work is Capernaum. Like any devout Jew, Jesus enters the synagogue on a Sabbath day. He takes this opportunity to address the gathered congregation and teach them many things about the Kingdom.

“The people were astonished at his teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” While the Scribes could only interpret or give the meaning of the readings, Jesus, on the other hand, teaches on His own authority. This is expressed in His usual opening words, “Amen, amen, I say to you…” After all, He is God Incarnate: “Before Abraham came to be, I AM” (Jn 8:58).

On that day, a man possessed by an “unclean” spirit was in the synagogue. The spirit is immediately aware of the presence of Jesus: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” It is a futile attempt on the part of the evil spirit to resist the power of Jesus. But the Lord swiftly rebukes it: “Quiet! Come out of him!” With a loud shriek, it leaves the man. The people are doubly amazed at the power displayed by Jesus. He teaches with authority, and, in addition, He gives orders to evil spirits.

Jesus is the Eternal Word. That is why His words are absolutely powerful. With a simple command, something marvelous happens: the sick are healed, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, evil spirits are driven away. This reminds us of God’s act of creation. Just a word from God, and everything is created and brought into existence. Thus, the words of Jesus are irresistibly attractive. People are naturally drawn to Him to listen to His teachings. And they are forcefully motivated to reform their lives. Such is the power of the Word of God.

Perhaps one reason why people consciously ignore the Word of God is precisely because it is powerful. As an unknown author said, “The Bible should come with a warning label: ‘Beware of the Word of God! It may change your life.’” Sadly, too many people are not really willing and ready to change their lives.

We are just a few days into the New Year.

Perhaps there is still a space for one more New Year’s resolution: Read the Bible every day. Find time to listen and reflect on the Word of God every day. As a quotation says, “The Bible is meant to be our daily bread, not a cake for special occasions.” For, the more we read the Bible, the more we will love its Author.

Fr. Mike Lagrimas

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Diocese of Novaliches