"Jesus taught them as one having authority"
(Mark 2:21-28)
In the previous two Sunday’s gospel, we heard Jesus
calling his first disciples to be with Him. In the
upcoming two Sundays instead we will hear many
stories of Jesus healing the sick and comforting the
afflicted. Jesus´ calling and the miracles are just the
beginning of his public ministry. Interesting enough is
to say that everyday Jesus grew in popularity and
attracted many followers. Today’s first reading is
taken from the Book of Deuteronomy or second law. It
tells us that God will raise a prophet that God, himself,
will put words into his mouth. Indeed, God promised
Moses that He would send another prophet like him.
Let us recall that one of the functions of a true prophet
is to speak on behalf of God. The voice of the prophets
became the Word of God for His people. While in
Jesus Christ, God has spoken to his people, yet God
still raises nowadays men and women who speak of the
God of justice. On my recent visit to El Salvador, the
land of Bishop Romero, I was able to live and share in
the lives of the poor and destitute. While celebrating
for young and old people, I could feel as it was said
once by another Salvadoran martyr,
Father Ignacio Ellacuría, SJ, "That in Bishop Romero,
God had visited his people". Therefore, in joy and in
anguish of the people of El Salvador and Staten Island
I can feel with Bishop Romero that "with such a good
and humble people it isn't so hard to be a good pastor."
In today's Gospel Jesus expels demons and everyone is
amazed. Not only are they astonished by his healing
power but from the way it happens, "Jesus taught them
as one having authority". For Mark the Evangelist,
Jesus is the prophet waited for in the Old Testament.
Therefore Jesus has the authority God has given him to
cure and heal God's peoples. In the synagogue at
Capernaum, people were amazed of his teachings and
his healing power that was able to silence the evil
spirits. At the holy place, Jesus expelled those who
were possessed and in doing so, he gives back to the
former possessed man, health and peace. Let us pray
today that God gives rise to new prophets and new
pastors to bring peace and comfort to those who suffer
either from disease, addictions and poverty. We count
on you and your example to spread the goodness and
mercy of God to people of good will. “We are prophets
of a future, not our own.” (Bishop Romero).
"The martyrdom of Bishop Romero did not happen
only at the time of his death; he was a martyr-witness
and endured persecution until his death.
Furthermore, Bishop Romero was martyr even after
his death because he was defamed, slandered, dirtied;
that is, his martyrdom continued because he was
persecuted even by his brothers in the priesthood and
in the episcopate." (Pope Francis)
Fr. Hernán, S.J.