HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME/Jesus, the restorer of man's glory

Homily for Tuesday of the 1st week in the ordinary time 

Hebrews 2:5-12; Mark 1:21-28

Theme: Jesus, the restorer of man's glory

Man, created in God's image and likeness, is undoubtedly, God's real masterpiece, the living synthesis of God's cosmic wonders, the one destined to be the minister of all created things. Blessed with high intellectual capacity, he comprehends and dominates the whole universe. 

The first reading of today's liturgy, reflecting on the greatness of man, wonders in the words of Psalm 8: "God, what is man that you are mindful of him, mortal man that you care for him? You have made him little less than the angels; you crown him with glory and splendor. You have put him in commands of everything" (Heb 2:6-8).

However, man had disfigured himself.  Endowed with knowledge, man had invented destruction, and prioritized slavery rather than freedom. Hatred rather than love. Although, he controls the world, he can't control himself. He had become slave to passion and vices. 

In this situation, Jesus comes to the rescue of man. It says: "We do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angel, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death...it was fitting that God...should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering" (Heb 2:9-10). 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is God's answer to human failure. In Jesus, man reaches his greatest glory again. 

The Gospel reading tells us: "Jesus and his disciples went to carpanaum; and when the Sabbath came he entered the synagogue and taught" (Mk 1:21). Obviously, Jesus made use of available means that were open to him to preach. He did not wait for the ideal situation to start. Let us equally cease opportunities available to us to proclaim the good news of God's kingdom because the best and most beautiful moment may never come.

We are told: "They (Jesus' listeners) were astounded at his teaching" (Mk 1:22). The teachings of Jesus made significant impressions on them. When we listen to the word of God, does it make an impression on us?

"He taught them as one with authority, and not as the scribes" (Mk 1:22). The authority of Jesus comes from God. Jesus says: "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me" (JN 7:16). Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, we too need to teach the word of God with firm authority. The word of God is not the words of men. It must carry the truth of God's authority. 

.we pray this day that as Jesus cured the demoniac, may He free us from the influence and snare of the evil one, that we may freely proclaim the word of God with power and authority. 

God bless us all

Fr Remi Osj