Gospel: (Mark 1: 21-28)
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
St. Faustina noted in her Diary (D. 1464, 1465)
“… As I was praying for sinners and offering up my suffering for them [I experienced the attacks of Satan]. The evil spirit could not stand it. The spectre said, ‘Don’t pray for sinners, pray for yourself, or you’ll be damned.’ I paid no attention at all to Satan and continued praying for sinners with double the ardour. The evil spirit hissed furiously, ‘Oh, if only I could have power over you!’ and vanished. I realised that my suffering and prayers were constraining Satan and that I had wrested many souls from his clutches”.
- Do you live with the knowledge that Jesus has power over everything?
- Are you happy that God, who is unlimited in his power, invites you to have a close, loving relationship with him?
- Confess your faith to Jesus today and invite him to your new life as your only Lord and Savior!
