Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
You will notice we have started Ordinary Time today. This period will last until February 20th this year, the day before Ash Wednesday. According to the General Norms, 43; “Apart from those seasons having their own distinctive character, there remains in the yearly cycle those weeks (33 or 34) that do not celebrate a specific mystery of Christ. Rather, especially on Sundays, they are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its fullness. This period is known as Ordinary Time.”
Reading 1 Heb 2:5-12
This passage from Hebrews contains a very complex and important understanding of the nature of Christ. In the beginning we hear it was not to the angels that were sent to rule the earth. Then that humbling phrase; “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?” God set mankind to rule the earth and, for a while, sent his only Son to be in that state – lower than the angels, and suffer death for everyone.
This classic passage from Hebrews is foundational to our understanding of Christ Jesus, true God and true man.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
The humility expressed in this song of praise has that same sense of questioning humility found in the Hebrews reading it supports today. It also marvels at the fact that God made his creation subject to man.
Gospel Mk 1:21-28
We begin this season with Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. We see instantly that his teaching is not like the scribes who teach the letter of the law, but as the prophets who taught the spirit of the law.
He encounters an “unclean spirit” so called because it does not recognize the authority of God. Jesus commands the spirit to leave and it obeys, God, after all, has authority over all things. In this way we see once more the assurance that Jesus is true God.
Reflection:
We reflect today on the Son of God, now fully revealed to the faithful in the feast of the Epiphany. He now comes to the world teaching and healing. He demonstrates his Godhood by commanding the spirits, themselves fallen angels. And now it is time for us to respond.
What is our response? Do we say; “Ah, the high feast has past, now we can get back to the usual.” If that is our thought then our efforts during the Advent season were wasted. We are called anew to be his faithful followers. In his example we are called to teach with our example and heal with our prayer.
Jesus showed us what is possible as he walked the earth showing himself to be less than an angel but greater than any man born of woman. We are called to be humble in his service and in the service of all mankind who are our brothers and sisters. It is our heritage as His adopted sons and daughters. We cannot fail in that task.
Readings for Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
You will notice we have started Ordinary Time today. This period will last until February 20th this year, the day before Ash Wednesday. According to the General Norms, 43; “Apart from those seasons having their own distinctive character, there remains in the yearly cycle those weeks (33 or 34) that do not celebrate a specific mystery of Christ. Rather, especially on Sundays, they are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its fullness. This period is known as Ordinary Time.”
Reading 1 Heb 2:5-12
This passage from Hebrews contains a very complex and important understanding of the nature of Christ. In the beginning we hear it was not to the angels that were sent to rule the earth. Then that humbling phrase; “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?” God set mankind to rule the earth and, for a while, sent his only Son to be in that state – lower than the angels, and suffer death for everyone.
This classic passage from Hebrews is foundational to our understanding of Christ Jesus, true God and true man.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9
R. You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
The humility expressed in this song of praise has that same sense of questioning humility found in the Hebrews reading it supports today. It also marvels at the fact that God made his creation subject to man.
Gospel Mk 1:21-28
We begin this season with Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. We see instantly that his teaching is not like the scribes who teach the letter of the law, but as the prophets who taught the spirit of the law.
He encounters an “unclean spirit” so called because it does not recognize the authority of God. Jesus commands the spirit to leave and it obeys, God, after all, has authority over all things. In this way we see once more the assurance that Jesus is true God.
Reflection:
We reflect today on the Son of God, now fully revealed to the faithful in the feast of the Epiphany. He now comes to the world teaching and healing. He demonstrates his Godhood by commanding the spirits, themselves fallen angels. And now it is time for us to respond.
What is our response? Do we say; “Ah, the high feast has past, now we can get back to the usual.” If that is our thought then our efforts during the Advent season were wasted. We are called anew to be his faithful followers. In his example we are called to teach with our example and heal with our prayer.
Jesus showed us what is possible as he walked the earth showing himself to be less than an angel but greater than any man born of woman. We are called to be humble in his service and in the service of all mankind who are our brothers and sisters. It is our heritage as His adopted sons and daughters. We cannot fail in that task.
Pax
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