Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu đã có những lời nói đầy uy thẩm quyền và thế lực. Chính thế, chỉ một lời phán của Ngài mà Ngài có thể làm biến đổi tất cả mọi sự, kể cả việc chữa lành các bệnh tật nan y khó chữa cho những ai đã tin vào Ngài. Nhũng lời rao giảng của Ngài đã gây rất nhiều bị ảnh hưởng trong dân chúng; và sức mạnh Tinh thần của Ngài đã được truyền đi để gieo vào tâm hồn của dân chúng, phép lạ của Ngài cho thấy Chúa Giêsu là Người có quyền điều khiển và chinh phục cả Satan, là người bác sĩ chữa lành tất cả mọi thứ bệnh tật. Uy quyền của Chúa Giêsu không phải chỉ bằng lời nói và những giáo huấn, như câu tuyr65n trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Ngay trong hội đường của người Do Thái, Ngài đã làm cho ma quỷ trong nguời bị quỷ ám phải sợ hãi và phải vậng lện ngài mà rời bỏ thoát ra khỏ người bị quỷ ám đấy.
Chúng ta hãy cầu xon Chúa cho tất cả những người đã lạm dụng quyền hành của họ biết thay đổi và có thể học nơi Chúa cách dung quyền hành của mình trên cơ sở của lòng yêu thương, nhân hậu thực sự.\
In today’s gospel Jesus spoke with authority and power. That is, his word had power to transform, heal and set free those who believe in him. His preaching much affected the people; and a power went with it to touch people's conscience. His miracles showed Jesus to be a controller and conqueror of Satan, a healer of diseases. Jesus' authority was not only in word and teaching. Right there in the synagogue as he spoke to a man possessed by an “unclean spirit”, that spirit spoke through the possessed man.
It spoke in fear of the power of Jesus. “Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Most of us possess authority of some kind, whether as a parent, a teacher, a professional with responsibility and so on. Let us make sure that we use that authority in such a way as to enhance the abilities of others rather than diminish them. Our authority should be based on real love and it should be used for the purpose of building humanity.
Let us pray for all those people who misuse authority so that they may learn to use it on the basis of real love.
They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region. Luke 4:36–37
Jesus had just encountered the wrath of many in His hometown of Nazareth, so He left there and traveled about 30 miles to Capernaum, a town just north of the Sea of Galilee. This was to become His new home during His public ministry. The reaction He received in Capernaum was much different than that which He received in Nazareth. As He taught in the Synagogue in Capernaum, a man with a demon came to Him, Jesus rebuked the demon and cast it out, and the people were amazed. Word spread about Jesus quickly. After this, Jesus performed many other miracles, and the people continued to be in awe of Him.
What was it that impressed the people of Capernaum? In part it was the “authority and power” with which Jesus spoke and acted. But it was not only this, since Jesus had done so also in Nazareth where the people failed to believe in Him. In Capernaum it wasn’t that Jesus was different, it seems that the people were different. Jesus won over many hearts in Capernaum because the people were open to the gift of faith. In fact, when Jesus was preparing to leave from Capernaum, the people begged Him to stay. Though eventually Jesus would also encounter resistance from the people there, their initial reaction was one of faith.
Do you want Jesus to act powerfully in your life? Do you want Him to act upon you with authority and power? Many people, from time to time, can feel as though their lives are somewhat out of control. They experience weakness, confusion, a lack of direction and the like. For that reason, true spiritual “authority and power” is very welcome. What sort of authority and power do you need Jesus to exert over your life today?
Think of a small child who is frightened. When this happens, the child turns to a loving parent for comfort and security. The embrace of a parent immediately helps to dispel the fear and worry of the child. So it is with us.
We must see Jesus as the source of calm in our lives. He is the only one Who is capable of ordering our lives, freeing us from the attacks of the evil one, bringing peace and calm to our disordered emotions and clarity to our questions and doubts. But this will only be possible if we are open. His power never changes, but it can only enter our lives when we change and when we recognize our weakness and our need for Him to take control.
Reflect, today, upon the infinite spiritual authority and power of our Lord. It is a power beyond anything else we could imagine. He wants to exercise this authority in your life out of love. What is hindering Him from taking greater control of your life? What sin or temptation does Jesus want to rebuke in your life? From what oppression does He want to set you free? Reflect upon yourself being a member of the town of Capernaum who fully welcomes Jesus, is amazed at Him and desires Him in your life. His working in your life depends upon you and your response to Him. Call on Him and let Him in.
My most powerful Lord, You and You alone are able to take authority over my life and bring order and peace. Please remove any doubt and stubbornness from my heart so that I can open myself to You and Your grace. Take authority of my life, dear Lord, and lead me into Your most holy will. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are the ultimate authority and are all-powerful. You are the author of life and existence itself. Conquer the forces of evil in this world and bring all things to their consummation according to your divine plan.
1. Jesus’ Teaching in Synagogues in Galilee: Today’s Gospel, which narrates the exorcism in the synagogue in Capernaum, manifests to us that, with the coming of Jesus Christ, the devil’s reign is over. It is the beginning of the end. Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations in the desert, inaugurated God’s reign by preaching the Gospel, and, through this exorcism, continued to dismantle the powers of darkness. Jesus often taught in synagogues in Galilee on the Sabbath. Over his three years of public ministry, he likely did this over 100 times. The Gospels give us a small taste of his teaching. Sometimes, as in Nazareth, he proclaimed that a prophecy, such as the passage from Isaiah about the Great Jubilee year, was fulfilled in his person. Other times, as in the Bread of Life discourse in John, Jesus brought an Old Testament figure to fulfillment. The Bread of Life discourse proclaimed that Jesus surpasses Moses and offers the New Manna of the Eucharist in place of the old manna of the desert. Jesus himself is the Bread of Life and whoever eats this bread will live forever. How well do I know Jesus’ teaching?
2. The Effect of Jesus’ Teaching: The people marveled at Jesus’ teaching, for he did not teach like the scribes and Pharisees. His teaching had a newness about it that set their hearts on fire. They felt like he was unveiling mysteries hidden for centuries in the Law and in the Prophets. Jesus didn’t drone on like the scribes about legalistic interpretations of the Law, but spoke about the heart of the Law and gave it new meaning. Is my heart set on fire when I hear Jesus’ words?
3. Paul’s Teaching: In his Letter to the Corinthians, Paul continues to contrast the “wisdom of the world” with the wisdom of God. The Holy Spirit is the one who introduces us into the depths of the knowledge of God. On our own, we can come to know very little. As Paul says: “No one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.” Through our Baptism and Confirmation, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to know the good things given to us freely by God. Paul understands that his doctrine and teaching are not based on the spirit of the world, but rather that they have been given to him by the Spirit of God. Empowered by the Spirit, and using spiritual language, he teaches the Corinthians about spiritual, heavenly things. Those who reject the Spirit of God cannot understand this doctrine. However, those who live by the Spirit and welcome God’s Word with an understanding heart, are able to judge all things in this light. Am I listening to the spirit of the world or the Spirit of God?
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, set my heart on fire with your word. Comfort me you’re your grace when I am troubled. Calm me with your peace when the anxieties of this world are overwhelming.
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I look forward to this time of prayer with you. Help me to rest in you, be close to you, to be intentionally transparent with you and myself. I want to hear your word, ponder it, and put it into practice. I entrust myself to your grace, O Lord.
“He Spoke with Authority”: The people in the synagogue were astonished because Jesus spoke with authority. Wherein lay his authority? He was not bossy; rather everything he said carried a weight to it. This went beyond the miracles; it was rooted in his very demeanor. People naturally tended to believe and obey Jesus since his words and commands were so true and so good. It was believable when he declared himself to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Some people, like the Pharisees, could resist believing in him, but it took effort because to do so contradicted both the intellect and the heart. When there was an openness and continued contact, there would be eventual faith. In some cases, as with the first apostles, it happened quickly (The Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pp 37-51).
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