Luke 4:31-37

1 Corinthians 2:10b-16

Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.

He taught them on the sabbath,

and they were astonished at his teaching

because he spoke with authority.

In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,

and he cried out in a loud voice,

“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, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”

Then the demon threw the man down in front of them

and came out of him without doing him any harm.

They were all amazed and said to one another,

“What is there about his word?

For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,

and they come out.”

And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are the ultimate authority and are all-powerful. You are the author of life and existence itself. Conquer the forces of evil in this world and bring all things to their consummation according to your divine plan.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Jesus’ Teaching in Synagogues in Galilee: Today’s Gospel, which narrates the exorcism in the synagogue in Capernaum, manifests to us that, with the coming of Jesus Christ, the devil’s reign is over. It is the beginning of the end. Jesus overcame the devil’s temptations in the desert, inaugurated God’s reign by preaching the Gospel, and, through this exorcism, continued to dismantle the powers of darkness. Jesus often taught in synagogues in Galilee on the Sabbath. Over his three years of public ministry, he likely did this over 100 times. The Gospels give us a small taste of his teaching. Sometimes, as in Nazareth, he proclaimed that a prophecy, such as the passage from Isaiah about the Great Jubilee year, was fulfilled in his person. Other times, as in the Bread of Life discourse in John, Jesus brought an Old Testament figure to fulfillment. The Bread of Life discourse proclaimed that Jesus surpasses Moses and offers the New Manna of the Eucharist in place of the old manna of the desert. Jesus himself is the Bread of Life and whoever eats this bread will live forever. How well do I know Jesus’ teaching?

2. The Effect of Jesus’ Teaching: The people marveled at Jesus’ teaching, for he did not teach like the scribes and Pharisees. His teaching had a newness about it that set their hearts on fire. They felt like he was unveiling mysteries hidden for centuries in the Law and in the Prophets. Jesus didn’t drone on like the scribes about legalistic interpretations of the Law, but spoke about the heart of the Law and gave it new meaning. Is my heart set on fire when I hear Jesus’ words?

3. Paul’s Teaching: In his Letter to the Corinthians, Paul continues to contrast the “wisdom of the world” with the wisdom of God. The Holy Spirit is the one who introduces us into the depths of the knowledge of God. On our own, we can come to know very little. As Paul says: “No one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.” Through our Baptism and Confirmation, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to know the good things given to us freely by God. Paul understands that his doctrine and teaching are not based on the spirit of the world, but rather that they have been given to him by the Spirit of God. Empowered by the Spirit, and using spiritual language, he teaches the Corinthians about spiritual, heavenly things. Those who reject the Spirit of God cannot understand this doctrine. However, those who live by the Spirit and welcome God’s Word with an understanding heart, are able to judge all things in this light. Am I listening to the spirit of the world or the Spirit of God?

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, set my heart on fire with your word. Comfort me you’re your grace when I am troubled. Calm me with your peace when the anxieties of this world are overwhelming.

Living the Word of God: When we cast aside the old man of sin and put on the new man of grace, we conform our hearts and our thoughts to the mind of Christ. We are to imitate Christ and, as God’s children, love the Father with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our soul. How can I imitate Jesus today?