Gospel of the Day
Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 4:31–37
At that time: Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent and come out of him!’ And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, ‘What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!’ And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
Authority in the Truth
How striking it must have been to hear the Lord when He taught in the synagogue! How fortunate were those who lived in that time! But the Lord did not teach only for that moment—His teachings remain valid today and forever.
One detail stands out: “His words carried authority.” We are witnesses of the Lord and of His glory, and for this reason we too can speak with authority. We do not speak about our own opinions, nor give speeches to attract an audience or to appear important—we proclaim the TRUTH, and truth itself carries authority.
The mere presence of Christ must have been imposing, and this is what we should aspire to: to be so united to Him that our lives reflect His life. We must hold that same authority in our own lives, which is achieved through coherence and integrity. We cannot say one thing and do another; rather, we speak of what we live, because we live united to the Lord.
Applied to Married Life
(Javier and Cristina are having dinner with their children)
Javier: Children, you know that your mother and I love you very much, and that’s why sometimes we don’t allow you to make certain plans with your boyfriends or girlfriends—plans that, according to you, “everyone else” makes. We want you to be formed so that one day you may become kind, charitable, and honest men and women—and good spouses—able to discern what is right and what is wrong in the light of the Gospel.
Cristina: What Dad means is that we’ve encouraged you to take part in the Proyecto Amor Conyugal catechesis groups for couples in the parish, so that you can learn what the TRUTH is regarding what may well be your future vocation.
Javier: Mom is right. When you have that solid foundation, you will truly be free, able to build a marriage on rock, and you will also be able to explain with authority the reasons behind your choices to your friends. It doesn’t mean they will necessarily understand you, but you will be a light and help guide them onto the right path.
Cristina: We know that sometimes it’s hard, and you may even lose some friendships, because Truth is not always welcomed in this world. But you will have peace and the certainty of doing what God wants from you at every moment.
Mother,
We ask you to help us be very faithful to the Lord, so that we may live with that authority worthy of the children of God.
Praised be the Lord who shows us the Truth.