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Reflect on Jesus' authority in Mark 1:21-28 and how His teachings challenge us to seek divine guidance in our daily lives.

Today's Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

In Capernaum, Jesus taught and impressed the people by teaching with authority. The people witnessed a man versus an unclean spirit.
 
Caught up in the moment, the people were confused. Who is he? How can he be so confident, and where is this going? Whom do we listen to? Whom do we follow?
 
What grabbed my attention was that the unclean spirit knew Jesus could destroy it. With just one sentence, Jesus could make unclean spirits obey. The authorities had to work hard with long incantations and other efforts to convince these spirits to obey. Jesus was doing what the elders could not do, and that was threatening their authority and infringing on their territory.
 
Jesus knows. He knows the Father, He knows the plan and teaches the Word of the Father with great confidence. He knows about Satan, and He knows how evil works within the world. Jesus also knows mankind and how to reach people, and that is beginning to be clear to those who hear Him speak.
 
There have been times when one of my grown children would know more than I and tell me so. Sometimes I felt threatened, sometimes impressed. Sometimes I'd sigh in relief. But there have been times when I felt inferior to them and perhaps a bit dumb. The people in the synagogue were both impressed and frightened by Jesus’ authority. This was a local kid, for goodness' sake. How does this kid know so much, and why should I follow his advice? Good questions for both me and the crowd in Jesus’ time.

 

Ponder:

Have you ever just looked up at the sky and said, Jesus, tell me what You want me to do, or guide me in this difficult situation? You know what I don't know.

 

Pray:

Dear Lord, I praise You for who You are and what You do for us every moment of every day. Please guide us as we lead our families in the right direction, to You for eternity.

 

Pray Together:

Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for each and every member of the family and their individual gifts. What are those gifts?

 


January 13

Copyright 2026 Ebeth Weidner

 

About the Author

Ebeth Weidner

Ebeth Weidner

Ebeth Weidner, a Master Catechist and cradle Catholic who considers herself a Catholic information junkie, writes from her heart about the faith and hope she finds in the Catholic Church. She is the author of “A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars” blog. She is the wife of a research science Professor and mom to 3 great young adults people living on the coastal side of North Carolina.