January 31, 2021: Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Jesus is showing he is different than the scribes. There is something new about Jesus. He brings about a new creation by healing the man with the unclean spirit.
Jesus’ authority comes from God, the author of all life.
The disciples were “astounded at his teaching”. They weren’t used to him. The newness of his teaching wasn’t something they expected.
There are always opportunities for fresh starts, new beginnings. We do not have to complacent with the status quo. We can expect more, and we should, because God is a God of surprises and new life.
What new thing is God bringing about in your life? What is the new creation, either in your life or someone else’s, for which you would like to ask God?
Right now the world is weary, because of the pandemic and because of the social and political upheaval all around us. We have become cynical as a people. It is hard to be hopeful for the future.
With all our current struggles, it is easy to forget not only who we are, but Whose we are. We need to come back to our belief in the power of God to transform even the darkest reality.
I am reminded of Amanda Gorman’s words from her poem, “The Hill We Climb” that she read on January 20 at the Inauguration of President Biden. “ Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped.”
Jesus, we ask for the gift of new life in our present circumstances, in whatever in our lives needs renewing. We believe in your authority and in your power. We trust in your goodness and in your love. And we thank you for believing in us, too. Amen.