PRAYER PAUSE
Tuesday 9 January 2018
WITH
AUTHORITY
Enter
into the stillness of God within.
Reading: “And his teaching made a
deep impression on them because, unlike the scibes, he taught them with
authority.” (Mark 1:21-28)
Reflection. We now leave Christmas time
behind us and enter into the rhythm of the year with St Mark. His opening
chapter echoes the opening chapter of Genesis which describes the creation of
the world. Here it is the creation of a new world or, better, the fulfilment
stage of the old creation. One word we notice is ‘authority’. Jesus uses the attraction
and persuasion of his message to help people to change. The “scribes” – both ancient
and their modern equivalents – use force
and compulsion. The people were astonished by Jesus and all talked about him.
But their enthusiasm cooled when it became clear that the fulfilment of
creation – and of the lives of each of us – would involve the cross, that is,
the struggle against evil in ourselves and in the world.
Prayer. Lord, help us to rejoice in
your presence among us as you lead us on the way to the Father – a way that
would pass through Jerusalem and Calvary. Amen
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