Call to prayer: Lord our God, help us to love you with all our hearts and to love others as you love them. Make us eager and attentive listeners of your Word. We ask you who live and reign with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever, Amen.
A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark 1:21-28
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus 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.
The gospel of the Lord
Focus: Jesus speaks with authority and the people are stunned by his knowledge. Jesus communicated truth in simple but powerful ways.
Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you?
2. What is the stewardship message in this gospel?
3. Who is the most effective teacher you have known? What made this person effective?
4. How can we allow Jesus’ teachings to be more authoritative in our lives?
Concluding prayer: O God, the giver of all good gifts, our desire to praise you is itself a blessing you have bestowed upon us. Help us to follow you and listen to your authoritative word in our lives so that we may share it with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
