The gospel passage for today's liturgy tells us that Jesus came to Capernaum along with his disciples, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught (Mk 1:21). Someone new had arrived. I can just imagine that everyone who was gathered that day for prayers was eager to hear what he had to say.
Have you ever noticed that when someone new comes to visit there is excitement in the air and we want to listen to what that person has to say? If the person is interesting, all the better. In the case of Jesus, the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority ... (Mk 1:22). How fortunate those people were ... and how fortunate we are too. The words of scripture are alive and because they are living words, they always have something new, something fresh to say. That means that every time we read the words of scripture, we need to listen carefully and closely so that Jesus - who is speaking through them - can speak something fresh, something new to us.
The people were astonished at his teaching, and so can we, every time we hear his words! Today, let us pray for the grace to listen afresh to the words that Jesus speaks, through the scriptures and in our prayer. Let us dare to allow ourselves to be surprised by what we hear, and always ready to say yes to whatever he should ask of us.
Have a great day.
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