First Reading (Hebrews 2,5-12).
Reading the Letter to the Hebrews.
It was not to the angels that God subjected the future world, of which we are speaking. In this regard, however, there were those who said: “What is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you care about him? You made him a little lower than the angels, you crowned him with glory and honor , and you put all things under his feet.” If God subjected all things to him, he left nothing that was not subject to him. Currently, however, we still do not see that everything is subject to it. Jesus, whom God made little lower than the angels, we see him crowned with glory and honor, for having suffered death. Yes, by the grace of God in favor of all, he tasted death. It was indeed fitting that he, through whom and for whom all things exist, and who desired to lead many children to glory, should lead the initiator of their salvation to consummation, through suffering. For both Jesus, the Sanctifier, and those who are sanctified, are descendants of the same ancestor; For this reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; and I will praise you in the midst of the assembly.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 1,21b-28).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Being with his disciples in Capernaum, Jesus, on a Sabbath day, entered the synagogue and began to teach. Everyone was amazed at his teaching, as he taught as someone with authority, not as teachers of the Law. There was then a man in the synagogue possessed by an evil spirit. He cried out: “What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus commanded him: “Shut up and get out of him!” Then the evil spirit shook the man violently, gave a loud scream and left. And everyone was very amazed and asked each other: “What is this? A new teaching given with authority: He even commands evil spirits, and they obey!” And the fame of Jesus soon spread far and wide, throughout the whole region of Galilee.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Today, I would like to start with a reflection that probably resonates with all of us. How many times do we feel small and insignificant in the face of the immensity of the universe? Under a starry sky, it is common to ask ourselves: “Who am I to matter so much to God?” This question, filled with humility and, at times, doubt, finds a profound answer in today’s readings.
In the First Reading, taken from the Letter to the Hebrews, the author reminds us that God did not subject the world to come to angels, but rather to us, human beings. The quote from Psalm 8, which says: “What is man that you remember him? Or the son of man that you visit him?”, puts us before an impressive truth: God created us with dignity and glory, made us “a little lower than the angels” and entrusted us with the administration of His creation. This is not an invitation to vanity, but an exaltation of our value in the eyes of God.
Here, we need to understand something important: our dignity does not come from our deeds, our power or our wealth. It comes from being loved by God, from being called to share in His glory. When we look at Jesus, the Son of God, we realize that He is living proof of this love. He humbled Himself, assuming our human condition, so that, through His suffering and death, we could be elevated to divine life. He is the brother who shares with us the inheritance of the Father.
To illustrate this, let’s think of a bridge. A bridge connects two separate sides, overcoming chasms or rivers that would otherwise be impassable. Jesus is the bridge between God and humanity. He, being perfect in His divinity, became human to lead us to God. In His flesh, He not only shared our pains, but also showed us the way to wholeness.
In Mark’s Gospel, we find another powerful dimension of this reality. Jesus is teaching in the synagogue, and His word has an extraordinary impact. People marvel, because He teaches with authority, unlike the scribes. This authority comes not only from His words, but also from His actions. He casts out an unclean spirit from a man, revealing that His power goes beyond speech. He is Lord, not just in words, but in deeds.
Now, let’s put ourselves in the shoes of that man possessed by an unclean spirit. How many times have we felt trapped by forces that seem to dominate us? It could be fear, anxiety, addiction, or even hopelessness in the face of life’s challenges. Jesus shows us that He has the power to set us free. He doesn’t just tell us about freedom; He grants us freedom.
Jesus’ authority is unlike any other we can imagine. Think of earthly leaders. They often rule through fear, imposing their will on others. Jesus, however, leads with love. His authority is service; His power is healing; Your leadership is redemption. He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
And here, my brothers and sisters, is the heart of today’s message: we are called to trust in this authority of Christ, to submit to His liberating love, and to let ourselves be transformed by Him. This means recognizing that we cannot fight the ” unclean spirits” from our lives alone. We need Jesus. We need His living and effective Word. We need His transforming presence.
Let’s imagine for a moment a storm at sea. The wind is strong, the waves are high, and the boat seems about to sink. For many of us, life can feel like this at times. However, with Jesus in the boat, we are sure that He is able to calm the storm. He is able to bring peace where there is chaos, light where there is darkness, hope where there is despair.
Now, a practical question for all of us: How can we experience this authority and power of Jesus in our daily lives? Firstly, through prayer. When we put ourselves in prayer, we recognize our dependence on God and make room for Him to work in us. Secondly, through listening to the Word of God. Scripture is living and effective, capable of penetrating our hearts and transforming us. And finally, through the sacramental life, especially in the Eucharist, where we find the real presence of Christ, which strengthens us for the journey.
My brothers and sisters, let us always remember that we are not alone. The same Jesus who taught with authority in the synagogue of Capernaum and freed that possessed man is the same one who is with us today. He calls us by name, loves us unconditionally and invites us to follow Him with confidence.
I conclude with an image that can inspire us: think of a mountain. Climbing a mountain is a challenge, it requires effort, courage and determination. But, when we reach the top, the view is stunning, and we realize that every step was worth it. This is our walk with Christ. Sometimes the path is difficult, but with Him, we reach heights we could never imagine. He leads us, sustains us and leads us to the glory that God has prepared for us.
May we, today and always, trust in His authority, welcome His deliverance and live as beloved children of God, called to share in His glory. Amen.
