Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 9 January 2024
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 1:9-20. Mark 1:21-28
Source of authority
We feel annoyed and anxious when we lose our power or authority over events and people. Today’s gospel reading talks about the authority that originates from within.
Jesus and his first disciples come to the synagogue at Capernaum. In Jesus’ time, the temple of Jerusalem was frequented for offering sacrifices, and the reading of the Torah was done in synagogues. Every synagogue had its own scribes or teachers of the law. Jesus comes to the synagogue in his hometown to preach. The content of Jesus’ preaching is not given in the gospel.
Usually, the scribes would preach in the name of the school to which they belonged or the Rabbi under whom they learned the Scriptures. The people of Jesus’ hometown might have been scandalised to see a carpenter preach in their synagogue. They soon realised that his preaching was with authority.
Jesus’ preaching is accompanied by a miracle. Jesus casts out a demon from the synagogue. Jesus’ exorcism formula, ‘be still’ is later used when he calms the sea. The evil spirit obeys him. And the people are astonished.
Thus, Mark reveals to his audience that Jesus was ‘the son of God’ (cf. Mk 1:1). Jesus’ authority originates from his identity as the son of God.
In the first reading, the childless Anna goes to the temple to make a promise to God. The priest Eli, using his authority, admonishes Anna. But God’s authority supersedes that of Eli. Anna gives birth to Samuel.
What are the lessons that we learn today?
It is good that we submit ourselves to the authority of God and base our actions on our identity as the children of God. The power or authority that comes from without – from our office or status – passes to someone else. The authority that comes from within cannot be taken away.
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‘In the synodal church, authority or power must be understood as responsibility in order to promote communion and enable participation,’ says Pope Francis (Jubilee A.D. 2025, bite 4).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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