Today's Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 Twice in this Gospel, the word "authority" is mentioned, as the distinguishing mark between Christ's teaching and that of the scribes of the synagogue. The people of Caparnaum heard authority in Christ's words, then witnessed it when He challenged and conquered a demon. They knew that here was power beyond anything they had ever experienced. Now, I love a good bit of wordplay, and the word "authority" is rather intriguing. We don't often stop to think that this word is related to the noun, "author" - the originator or promoter of a thing, its creator. Christ's power is rooted in the fact that He is the author, the writer and storyteller, of our lives, our circumstances, and our futures. So do we recognize His authority in our lives? His power over us, which stems from His eternal love, and His constant holding us in existence? Do we see and love His hand over ours, helping us write our story?

Ponder:

Where in my life do I need Christ's authority to cleanse a particularly troublesome temptation to sin?

Pray:

Christ, Author of my life, lead me to recognize Your hand and to embrace your authority over me.
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About the Author

Rebecca W. Martin

Rebecca W. Martin

Rebecca W. Martin, a trade book Acquisitions Editor for Our Sunday Visitor and Assistant Editor at Chrism Press, lives in Michigan with her husband and too many cats. A perpetually professed Lay Dominican, Rebecca serves as editor for Veritas, a quarterly Lay Dominican publication. Her children’s book Meet Sister Mary Margaret will release in fall 2023 from OSV Kids.