Jesus is THE authority

Sisters and brothers in Christ, we have all heard the phrase "fake it until you make it" but there is no faking the authority in which Jesus taught at the synagogue, in Capernaum, as we read in today's Gospel. Jesus taught "not as the scribes" who read and interpret Scriptures to teach but rather as one who was the source of that authority. And, of course, Jesus is THE authority. He is the Word of God who became Flesh and dwelt among us. God speaks in His Word - His only Begotten Son - and has nothing more to reveal because, in the fullness of time, the Father sent our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To know Jesus is to know His Father in heaven. To see Christ is to see the very face of God. To learn from Jesus is to learn from God Himself. That is the authority in which Jesus taught. Moreover, there is power and authority in His Holy Name because he commands "even the unclean spirits and they obey him." Most of all, Christ perfected our salvation through his suffering and death on the Cross as Saint Paul wrote in today's first reading:

. . .we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Therefore, let us in this new year, let us pray with a thankful heart and praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for dying on the Cross for our salvation. And let us always thank him for sending us his Spirit to sanctify us as we strive to live lives of holiness.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, 

and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

The people were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

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.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.