22nd Week in Ordinary Time
05th September 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6, 9-11
Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security”, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R. 13)
R/. I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. A great prophet has arisen among us, and God has visit his people.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 4:31-37
At that time: Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Power that is sacred!
Guidlines: In a power-crazy and power-corrupt world, authority has degenerated into a game and centre of power. We need to rediscover the sanctity of it{alertSuccess}
1. Jesus possessed authority. People could see and experience it. It was seen both in his teaching and healing. He spoke and taught with authority. He also expelled demons with a mere command. What is this authority? Certainly, it was not anything human, legal, or juridical because Jesus had no office, no position and so no power in terms of society.
2. It was then an authority that came from above. It is something divine and spiritual. It comes from inner power. This in turn is rooted in his intimate union with the Father. It is groomed in his singular focus on his mission, unflinching zeal, and unswerving commitment.
3. This spiritual authority leads to moral authority, which is a sound character and integrity of life. He had no hypocrisy. He was authentic. He was convinced of the right values of the Kingdom. Thus, this two-pronged authority makes his ministry of word and action firm and powerful.
4. In contrast, this was the kind of authority that was missing and lacking in the Pharisees and scribes. They had the legal and juridical authority, conferred by the law. But there was no spiritual or moral authority. There was no intimacy and communion with God. They had no integrity of life.
5. What about us? What is the type of authority that we are possessing and exercising? If there is really spiritual-moral authority, why then often there is power- politics, and power- -corruption?
Practice: Real authority is the power of the Spirit and the authenticity of life. This is to live a life of light, to bear witness to our nature and vocation of being children of light.{alertSuccess}