1st Week in Ordinary Time (C) : Tuesday 14th January 2025

The Letter to the Hebrews had been warning the people to pay attention to what they had heard and not to drift away from it. Lowliness is not to be despised as less angelic and hopeless to titles and superiority. Here lies the authority of deed, concrete sacrificial acts of Jesus over mere words. The Hebrew author reminded the people that Jesus was made a little lower than the angels when He came to earth; however, through His sufferings and death on the cross for the salvation of humankind, Jesus accepted death for all. Thus, Jesus was made perfect. If we believe in Jesus and follow His way of life and love, we have the same Father and are called His brothers and sisters.

Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum, and as soon as Sabbath came Jesus entered the synagogue and took the opportunity to teach. Unlike the scribes, he spoke with an authority that amazed people. They were further amazed when the man with the demon appeared. Jesus’ authority was further affirmed when the demon recognised Jesus as “the Holy One of God” and questioned whether Jesus had come to destroy them. To the people’s bewilderment, Jesus was able to command the demon to leave the man and be quiet – evidence that He is the authority to be listened to since He has authority over unclean spirits. After this Jesus’ reputation spread throughout Galilee.

Lord, may I never fail to recognise You as the author of holiness in my life.