Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday, 1st Week of Ordinary Time, Year 1, January 12th, 2021
Texts: Heb. 2:5-12; Ps. 8:2.5-9; Mark 1:21-28
Today's first reading establishes Jesus' supremacy, dominion and authority in heaven and on earth. It tells us how Jesus is able to save us. The the reading also shows us the way to dominion, the way to eternal life. The way is humility. God made His Son lower than the angels for a while and crowned Him with glory and honour, subjecting everything under Him. It is said, "But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one." It is clear from the life of Jesus that humility is a kind of descent to the worst human condition, enduring suffering and dieing to oneself. St. Paul says, "he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names" (Phil. 2:8).
Being humble he was able to lead others to glory and salvation. He suffered so that He might identify with everything, even suffering. It is said, "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin." The participation of Jesus in suffering makes suffering and toil salvific; Jesus was made perfect through suffering; suffering becomes the way of perfection. Jesus won for us dominion, God's love and mercy through suffering.
Jesus, in today's gospel reading, demonstrates His dominion and authority over evil spirit and also in teaching. It is said, "he taught them as one who had authority, ..... With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obeyed him."
We share from Jesus' dominion and authority by our faith in Him. Let us stand firm in Him, and we will gain dominion and authority.
Lord Jesus, you have called us in to share in your dominion and authority, by your grace may we sustain what we have gained in You. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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