Teaching with Authority
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
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.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority? We might picture a passionate Jesus teaching on the Sabbath and pounding his fist with authority on the synagogue pulpit. But there is a deeper “authority” that the Gospel references. Jesus isn’t just teaching with a new style, differently than the scribes. Jesus is saying that He Himself is the authority. He is adjusting the people’s morality on the authority of Himself, “But I say to you…”
The heart of Jesus’ message, and the heart of Christianity, isn’t a set of teachings on faith and morals, it is a Person. And this Person is Jesus Christ. Jesus has authority over all things, because He is God. We don’t have to go far in the Gospels to learn His intentions for us—Jesus wants to give us Himself. On earth and in heaven our blessed role is the same, receive Jesus Christ.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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