First reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20. Moses was about to die. The Chosen People were terrified because they were about to lose the person who had been successfully leading them through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. They were also going to lose a prophet who had been keeping them informed of Yahweh's will. When he died, how would they find out what God wanted of them? God answered the question by promising Moses that He would heed the people’s request and “raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and … put My words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.” Moses had set up a theocratic society for the Israelites as he had been instructed to do by God.  This society had various officers to regulate the civil and religious life of the people, e.g., judges, kings, priests and prophets. Today’s reading tells us that a true prophet would speak with authority because it would be God who spoke through him. The text was first seen as promising that there would be a line of prophets to interpret previous revelations by God and to add some new ones for each generation. After the return from the Babylonian exile (c. 538 B. C.), the Jewish priests began to interpret this text of Deuteronomy as referring to one individual, namely the Messiah who was to come. The New Testament followed this interpretation and saw these words of the dying Moses, "a prophet like me," fulfilled in Christ (Acts 3: 22; 7: 37). These verses, therefore, have been chosen for today's first reading because they refer to Jesus, the "preacher with authority," mentioned in today's gospel.  

SOURCE: Fr. Tony's Homilies / Used with permission

Second reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.  St. Paul and most of the early Christians believed or strongly hoped that the end of this world and the second coming of Christ were imminent.  For this reason,  many Christians in Corinth thought they should not enter into marriage, lest marriage should interfere with their whole-hearted service of God in preparation for the second coming of Jesus.  As a good Jew, Paul presumed that a different set of circumstances always demanded a different prophet with a different word. Hence, St. Paul exercised his God-given authority as the Apostle to the Gentiles to teach people  that marriage is a holy state ordained by God and that it is a life-long partnership according to the teaching of the Lord (see Mt. 5:32; 19:3-9). Further, Paul recommended a life of virginity to the non-married only if they felt they could live such a life. The advantage of celibacy, as Paul explained, was that   celibates would have the freedom to serve God fully with the fewest earthly cares and worries.

SOURCE: Fr. Tony's Homilies / Used with permission

Exegesis: The authority of Jesus:  This passage begins and ends with comments about Jesus’ authority as a teacher (1:21-22 and 1:27-28). In between is an exorcism (1:23-26), pointing out a connection between Jesus' teachings and his supernatural authority. Moreover, this is the first episode in Jesus’ ministry which Mark recounts after the call of the disciples. Jesus' authority is also the main theme in the collection of stories beginning at 2:1 and 3:6. Verse 2:10 refers to the authority of Jesus to exercise for people God's compassion in forgiving their sins (2:10). Mark, in his gospel, repeatedly returns to the theme that Jesus’ teaching with authority brought him followers, and Jesus’ healing with divine power liberated people from illness and demoniac possession. The Catholic and apostolic Church derives her teaching authority from her founder Jesus.

Teaching with authority:  There was a local synagogue in every Jewish settlement of more than ten families.  The synagogue was a place of instruction and Sabbath prayers. The synagogue service consisted of three parts – prayer, the reading of God's word, and the exposition of it made by anyone who wished to do so. In this chapter, Mark tells us that in the local synagogue, Jesus taught with authority.  This means that Jesus explained the Scriptures with complete confidence, and when questioned by people, he answered with authority.  He spoke as if he relied on no one beyond himself. He cited no authorities or experts.  Mark also records the impact Jesus had on those who heard him. We are told how amazed people were at the authority with which he preached.  Jesus also showed his power and authority by curing the sick and granting forgiveness to people.

Exorcising with divine authority:  In the synagogue, there was a man who was troubled by an unclean spirit. Everyone in the ancient Biblical world feared evil spirits and believed in demonic possession. People believed that demons or “unclean spirits” living inside afflicted people caused their leprosy, lameness, paralysis, etc.   Even in the twenty-first century, we still believe in the existence of unclean spirits.  How else can we explain the sudden explosions of anger that occur, the suicidal impulses, the intense jealousies, wild sexual fantasies, or overwhelming feelings of depression? We, as human beings, are keenly aware of these unclean spirits. We often wonder where the “unclean thoughts” come from and why we can’t rid ourselves of them.

The demoniac cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? “ What does Jesus have to do with these unclean spirits that live in each one of us? The answer we find in the Gospel is equally true today: Jesus came to drive out the unclean spirits living inside of us. That is one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth in the first place and one of the reasons why he continues his presence in our lives. Jesus came to drive out those unclean spirits within us, to wash them away, to cleanse our lives of them. Let us put ourselves under his authority and he will liberate us. The evil spirit in today’s gospel recognized Jesus as the Messiah and acknowledged him as such.  Jesus commanded the evil spirit harshly, using strong words and tones: "Be quiet! Come out of him!" This was another of the reasons why Jesus developed a reputation for speaking with authority.

SOURCE: Fr. Tony's Homilies / Used with permission