First Tuesday of Ordinary Time

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.”

The crowd in the synagogue recognizes that Jesus is teaching and acting with an authority they have not seen before. He is able to command unclean spirits and drive them out of the possessed. Just like Jesus, we are called to teach and act with authority. We might not be asked to be prophets or drive out demons, but we are asked to make Jesus present through our thoughts, words, and works. We are his eyes, ears, hands, and feet in this world and tasked with bringing the good news of the gospel to those in most need of it. We can do this through little and great acts of charity and mercy. In this way, we manifest God's Divine Grace to the world and make known His Love to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Do we recognize Jesus’ authority and listen to his gospel message? How do we make Jesus present to others through our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do to reveal Jesus’ authority to others and help bring them closer to God?

O Lord, you have taught us your gospel with authority. Help us to live it out each day.

Amen.