Word to the Wise
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - Tuesday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 2:5-12 and Mark 1:21-28]"What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
Jesus' style of teaching was not derivative. He did not have to quote earlier authorities for his teaching as the scribes did. He was his own authority. So, when he began teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum he attracted attention but not recognition by the ordinary folks there. However, the unclean spirit in one of the congregation DID recognize him and this constitutes one of the ironies in the Gospel of Mark. The disciples would be confused right up to the end, but the evil spirits of all kinds knew Jesus from the beginning!
I have had the experience of calling attention to gospel teaching and finding that some folks would prefer to have some official document from a church source such as the Pope or the conference of bishops before they will accept the teaching as true! This is particularly true when Jesus' teaching, set forth in the gospel, is inconvenient to particular lifestyle choices or economic beliefs. What does it take for us to recognize Jesus as more than just one teacher among many in history? What do the evil spirits know that we don't? The Gospel of Mark will give us much to think about over the days before we start Lent. Stay tuned! AMEN
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