Mark 1, 21b-28
Sunday, 31 January 2021 (4th OT B)
Jesus begins his ministry. He has chosen the first disciples and goes with them to Capernaum, and according to his custom, on the Sabbath he enters the synagogue. Like any other Jew he would comment on the Scriptures. And St. Mark tells us that everyone was amazed at his doctrine, because he “taught with authority”.
There are those who complain that in the Sunday Mass, in the homily, the priest becomes ponderous, uninteresting, repeating outlines already heard. It is boring. On the other hand, the people of his time were surprised that Jesus “taught with authority”, and not like the teachers and scribes. He did so with freedom regarding the doctrines of the time. And his word was accompanied by wondrous actions.
Could it be that our preaching “has no authority” because we communicate our own word and not that of God? Do we listen to God what he wants us to transmit? Do we accompany this word through our own life? Are we consistent with what we preach?
All Christians should be witnesses and spokespersons for God: salt of the earth and light of the world. With the right word, with an attitude of closeness to others, we must be communicators of hope, liberators of evil. Like Jesus: with authority!
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
