Gospel Mk 1:21-28
Then
they came to (1) 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 (2) unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?In their synagogue was a man with an (2) unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus (3) rebuked him and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit (4) 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 difficult words
(1)
Capernaum
is a city on the northwestern
shore of the Sea of Galilee.
(2) An unclean spirit here is a devil.
(3) To rebuke someone means to correct sharply, to make
someone stop doing evil.
(4) To convulse means to jerk or
shake violently and uncontrollably.
Reflection
In this
reading Jesus teaches and acts with authority. In this first miracle recorded
by Mark, Jesus shows his power over the forces of evil. Even the evil spirit
gives witness to Jesus, recognizing him as "the Holy One of God" and
submitting to his commands.
We should learn to trust in Jesus and his loving care for us. We should listen each day for his quiet voice in our hearts, urging us to trust him and to do what he asks.
We should learn to trust in Jesus and his loving care for us. We should listen each day for his quiet voice in our hearts, urging us to trust him and to do what he asks.
Discussion
1. Where did Jesus teach?
2. What happened when Jesus was teaching?
3. Who called Jesus “the Holy one of God”?
4. When did Jesus teach in the synagogue?
5. Why were people amazed at Jesus’ teaching?
6. Jesus starts to teach in the temple.
The people are very surprised and impressed with the way he teaches. Why do you
think that is?
7. The people in the temple believe
what Jesus says and they trust him, more than the scribes they are used to
listening to. Why do you think the people believe Jesus more than the scribes?
8. Jesus teaches the people through
words in the temple. But he also teaches them and us through his actions. He
lives out what he is teaching. Can you think of an example when Jesus teaches
us through his actions? What does he want us to learn?
Intercessions:
We hope that our
words and actions may show that we have followed the example of Jesus, our
teacher, and so we pray together:
We
pray for the Church throughout the world: that it may teach God’s word the way
that Jesus did, through words and actions. Lord, in your mercy...
We
pray for all children throughout the world: that they may have the chance to go
to school, to learn and ask questions, and have a better future free from
poverty. Lord, in your mercy...
We
pray for all teachers: that they may inspire their pupils and help them to
learn the skills they need for the future. Lord, in your mercy…
We
pray for our parish, family and friends: that we may work together with others
to ensure all children have the chance to go to school. Lord, in your mercy...
Closing prayer: God of hope,
through your Son Jesus you teach us to love and care for all our brothers and
sisters wherever they are in the world. Help us to work together with others to
ensure that all children may go to school and learn the skills they need to
have a future free from poverty. Amen.
According to tradition, Blase had been a doctor before he was ordained a priest. He became the bishop of Sebaste (now in central Turkey). During a period of persecution, he fled to a cave where he lived as a hermit. It is said that he cured and tamed the wild animals there. One day hunters discovered him and took him to the governor, who sentenced him to be tortured and killed.
About four hundred years after his death, many stories began to be told about Blase, and he became a popular saint, especially in France and Germany. One legend says that while Blase was in prison, a mother brought him her small boy, who was choking on a fishbone stuck in his throat. Blase prayed over the child, and he was healed. Every year on St. Blase's feast, two candles tied with ribbon in the shape of an X are used to bless throats. In the prayer the Church prays that those blessed may be delivered from diseases of the throat and from every other illness. Candles are used because of another story: It is said that while Blase was kept in a dark prison, a woman secretly brought him some candles and food.
Blase is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints who were patrons for almost every aspect of life. People in the Middle Ages showed devotion to these saints as a group.
Saint Blase
Feast Day February 3
If you are already familiar with St. Blase, it is probably because of the blessing of throats—a Catholic custom on his feast.According to tradition, Blase had been a doctor before he was ordained a priest. He became the bishop of Sebaste (now in central Turkey). During a period of persecution, he fled to a cave where he lived as a hermit. It is said that he cured and tamed the wild animals there. One day hunters discovered him and took him to the governor, who sentenced him to be tortured and killed.
About four hundred years after his death, many stories began to be told about Blase, and he became a popular saint, especially in France and Germany. One legend says that while Blase was in prison, a mother brought him her small boy, who was choking on a fishbone stuck in his throat. Blase prayed over the child, and he was healed. Every year on St. Blase's feast, two candles tied with ribbon in the shape of an X are used to bless throats. In the prayer the Church prays that those blessed may be delivered from diseases of the throat and from every other illness. Candles are used because of another story: It is said that while Blase was kept in a dark prison, a woman secretly brought him some candles and food.
Blase is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints who were patrons for almost every aspect of life. People in the Middle Ages showed devotion to these saints as a group.
Source: http://www.usccb.org - http://www.sadlierreligion.com - http://www.cafod.org.uk - http://www.loyolapress.com