Hebrews 2:5-12 / Mark 1:21-28
God exalts humankind; "What is man that you are mindful of him?"
The 19th-century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was out walking one day. His head was down and he was lost in thought. He accidentally bumped into an elderly lady. One of the most tragic lapses of memory we can have is to forget who we are. We are children of God the Father, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit.
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How well are we living out the great dignity that God has given us? "Great lord of all things, yet prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurdled; The glory, jest and riddle of the world."
Alexander Pope's description of humankind
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Though Jesus emptied himself of all privileges as God or, as the Letter to the Hebrews says, was made lower than the angels to join us in our wounded humanity – he who was without sin passed through death; his suffering was the way to glory for him and for us. But his power could not be hidden, when he spoke with authority and was leading a great number of brothers and sister to glory.
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The learning process is indeed a slow and long process. Most of us have at least 10 years of schooling but we all know that learning is a life-long process. Yet there are still certain questions that we don't have any answers for.
For e.g. in the gospel passage, why is there a man possessed by an unclean spirit in the synagogue of all places? Or why is there so much evil and terror and horror in the world despite the fact that Jesus had already came and He is supposed to bring us peace? The 1st reading puts it wisely: At present, it is true, we are not able to see that everything has been put under His command. But in Jesus we also saw how He was subjected to evil in the forms of suffering and death. Yet He overcame death and conquered sin and He is now crowned with glory and splendor.
So if there is anything we need to learn about life, we need to turn to Jesus and learn from Him. In the midst of the troubles and evils of life, let us stay close to Jesus and learn from Him to be humble and gentle of heart. For His yoke is easy and His burden light and He will lead us into victory.
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In the gospel, Mark shows the power of God at work in Jesus, the Messiah. It is a power that is contested by the powers of evil, that must struggle and come to grip with contradiction and suffering, but which will ultimately win – through struggle and contradiction. Such is also the power of God today in the world, the power of God in answer to our faith and prayer.
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Let us pray: God, source of all power, we like to imagine that we can do great things, but when it comes to your work, to your kingdom of truth and justice, we have to recognize, perhaps grudgingly, that we are weak and ineffective. Help us to acknowledge this weakness not as defeat, but as our real strength, to let your power reveal itself in suffering, in struggles, and in gentleness and love, which you show us in Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord for ever.
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Saint Devasahayam Pillai
Neelakandan Pillai was born into an affluent Hindu family in 1712. As a young man, he went into the service of the royal household in India’s Travancore province. Eventually put in charge of state affairs, Pillai became acquainted with Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, the Dutch naval commander who trained the king of Travancore’s forces. Their relationship awakened Pillai’s interest in the captain’s Christian faith. At his baptism in 1745, Pillai chose the name Lazarus (God has helped), or Devasahayam in the Malayalam language. His wife and other members of his family were baptized at the same time.
Soon after, Pillai’s enemies convinced the royal court that he was using his position to force others to convert, leading to his imprisonment. European Christians in Travancore came to Pillai’s defence, urging the king to release him. After three years the king complied under condition that Pillai go into exile to a hostile territory. Though beaten and tortured almost daily, Pillai consistently responded with kindness, openly praying for his captors. Shot to death by local soldiers in 1752, Pillai’s body was transported to St. Xavier Church in Kottar. Later when his remains were interred beneath the altar, the site became a popular pilgrimage destination.
In 2012, Devasahayam Pillai became the first Indian layman not connected to any religious institute to be beatified. Ten years later he was canonized in Rome.
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Commentary
Today's gospel repeats that "Jesus spoke with authority. We can ask ourselves what is the point of this "speaking with authority" which transformed and changed people, healed the sick and those possessed by unclean spirits. In that show of authority, Jesus reveals himself as Master, Friend and Lord. Let's try to see him.
Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. His authority fills not just the place but each person there. His authority and teaching reveal the truth about his listeners’ lives. They are astounded by his presence and teaching. His words mean something. They make a difference.
There comes a man with an unclean spirit. He is disturbed by the Word of God – the man who has the Holy Spirit and questions him: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” The possessed man speaks in the plural – What have you to do with us? Have you come to destroy us? He speaks not only for himself but for all those in the synagogue that day. He represents everyone who has ever experienced the brokenness of life. He is the spokesperson for all who feel disconnected from God.
He represents the human condition. He is an image of what the lives of all those in the synagogue look like. His uncleanness is not about personal hygiene, immorality, or being bad. Instead, he describes the fragmented lives of those gathered in the synagogue and the many voices within them.
And how does Jesus answer the question, “What have you to do with us”? Jesus says, “Everything. I have everything to do with you.” Those are the words that can begin to put his life back together. Jesus has everything to do with us. He stands before us as the mirror image of who we can become. There is no aspect of our life about which he is not concerned. He calls us back into the beauty and wholeness of our original creation, the one made in the image and likeness of God.
Before his authoritative words, the powers of evil succumbed. That is why the reading of Sacred Scripture in our eucharistic celebrations is never considered to be just any reading, replaceable or dispensable, but rather a liturgical celebration. This explains why we listen to the Gospel standing up, as if Christ himself were speaking.
For every voice that denies Jesus and cries, “What have you do to with us?” Jesus says, “Shhh! Be quiet. That’s not who you are. You are mine and I have everything to do with you.” Listen to that voice and you too will be astounded at what can become of your life.
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14 January 2025
Mark 1:21-28
Astonishing Authority: A Call to Humility, Service, and Closeness
The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus taught with an authority that “astonished” the people, setting him apart from the scribes and Pharisees, who imposed laws without truly touching hearts. Pope Francis reflects on this profound difference, urging us to examine how Christians live and teach today. In a world yearning for authenticity, Jesus' example challenges us to embrace humility, service, and closeness in our daily lives.
Jesus’ authority was humble. He did not command like a ruler but served as a guide, speaking in ways that people could understand. His teaching was not about dominance but elevating others, making the last the first. This humility directly challenges modern tendencies toward self-promotion and power struggles. How often do we, as Christians, prioritise service over recognition?
Jesus’ authority was also marked by closeness. He walked among the people, touching the sick, comforting the suffering, and breaking social barriers. Today, the Church and its members are called to this same closeness—reaching out to the most vulnerable. Do we draw near to those in need, or do we remain distant, preoccupied with our own comfort?
Jesus was consistent. His life was a perfect harmony of what He taught, felt, and did. This consistency is a powerful reminder for Christians to align their actions with their faith. Hypocrisy, whether in leadership or everyday life, erodes trust and credibility. Do we practice what we preach?
In our polarised and busy world, Jesus’ authority remains a model for transforming hearts. By living with humility, drawing close to others, and staying true to our beliefs, we can astonish the world and reflect the love of Christ in all we do.
