Gospel
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.
While the people were astonished and only beginning to know who Jesus was, the demon knew exactly who he was and absolutely identified Jesus as the Son of God.
So many people know of God. They know who Jesus is. They are familiar with his identity but perhaps we don’t know Jesus as well as we should.
Our faith may be less certain of who Jesus is for us. Do we know, really know him? And do we understand what that means? The people began to understand and they had tradition and teaching in their culture about the Messiah who would come. They knew he was going to change everything. They did not know the specifics but knew He was the Son of God come down into time and on the earth to free his people.
Who is he to us?
We have heard the Gospel. Christ today is known around the world. As Catholics we know the faith is accelerating and new Catholics are joining the church in our country and around the world. In just the last few years what was a trend toward fewer and fewer Catholics has now skyrocketed into numbers we haven’t seen in 20 years. On college campuses. In oppressive countries, places that had seen fewer and fewer Catholics. Now are increasing rapidly.
And these are not people who just know who he is. They have opened their eyes and ears to hear his truth and now embrace his teachings with passion and resolve.
How are we doing?
Those of us who have been born into Catholicism or have been part of the church for years or decades, how is our faith? Is it as firm as Hannah’s in the first reading?
Is it as certain and convinced of Jesus as the demon in the Gospel.
This week is our first week in ordinary time. A time to start integrating our faith more with our routine, in our work and daily routine.
If today we are not on fire for the love of Jesus, ask for more faith. Ask for the Holy Spirit and the blessings of faith.
For as millions have found, faith that is lived, brings about joy and peace and makes sense of the chaos of the world for the faithful. Life with Jesus Christ taking center stage tops all other journeys. For we are children of God. Adopted in baptism into the Family of God. To live as if we are part of this world is worthless and lifeless. But to live as an ardent disciple is a life filled with love. Let us put feet on our faith this week as we return to business as usual. Let us invite Gods joy and peace into our hearts.
It will renew our world and free us from fear and sorrow. How else would anyone choose to live?
Deacon Tony Pynes 
Leave a comment