Suffering and Authority

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to surrender to the Will of God as we come to accept humility and the Cross along the Way.

Humble Suffering

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews declares Exaltation through Abasement.

* [2:5–18] The humanity and the suffering of Jesus do not constitute a valid reason for relinquishing the Christian faith. Ps 8:5–6 is also applied to Jesus in 1 Cor 15:27; Eph 1:22; and probably 1 Pt 3:22. This christological interpretation, therefore, probably reflects a common early Christian tradition, which may have originated in the expression the son of man (Heb 2:6). The psalm contrasts God’s greatness with man’s relative insignificance but also stresses the superiority of man to the rest of creation, of which he is lord. Hebrews applies this christologically: Jesus lived a truly human existence, lower than the angels, in the days of his earthly life, particularly in his suffering and death; now, crowned with glory and honor, he is raised above all creation. The author considers all things as already subject to him because of his exaltation (Heb 2:8–9), though we do not see this yet. The reference to Jesus as leader (Heb 2:10) sounds the first note of an important leitmotif in Hebrews: the journey of the people of God to the sabbath rest (Heb 4:9), the heavenly sanctuary, following Jesus, their “forerunner” (Heb 6:20). It was fitting that God should make him perfect through suffering, consecrated by obedient suffering. Because he is perfected as high priest, Jesus is then able to consecrate his people (Heb 2:11); access to God is made possible by each of these two consecrations. If Jesus is able to help human beings, it is because he has become one of us; we are his “brothers.” The author then cites three Old Testament texts as proofs of this unity between ourselves and the Son. Ps 22:22 is interpreted so as to make Jesus the singer of this lament, which ends with joyful praise of the Lord in the assembly of “brothers.” The other two texts are from Is 8:17, 18. The first of these seems intended to display in Jesus an example of the trust in God that his followers should emulate. The second curiously calls these followers “children”; probably this is to be understood to mean children of Adam, but the point is our solidarity with Jesus. By sharing human nature, including the ban of death, Jesus broke the power of the devil over death (Heb 2:4); the author shares the view of Hellenistic Judaism that death was not intended by God and that it had been introduced into the world by the devil. The fear of death (Heb 2:15) is a religious fear based on the false conception that death marks the end of a person’s relations with God (cf. Ps 115:17–18; Is 38:18). Jesus deliberately allied himself with the descendants of Abraham (Heb 2:16) in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest. This is the first appearance of the central theme of Hebrews, Jesus the great high priest expiating the sins of the people (Heb 2:17), as one who experienced the same tests as they (Heb 2:18). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 8 praises Divine Majesty and Human Dignity.

* [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (Ps 8:2–3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (Ps 8:4–5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (Ps 8:6–9). (Psalms PSALM 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes Jesus' encounter with the Man with an Unclean Spirit.

* [1:21–45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story.

* [1:23] An unclean spirit: so called because of the spirit’s resistance to the holiness of God. The spirit knows and fears the power of Jesus to destroy his influence; cf. Mk 1:32, 34; 3:11; 6:13.

* [1:24–25] The Holy One of God: not a confession but an attempt to ward off Jesus’ power, reflecting the notion that use of the precise name of an opposing spirit would guarantee mastery over him. Jesus silenced the cry of the unclean spirit and drove him out of the man. 

* [1:24] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner asks “What would I have thought if I were one of those in the synagogue? Would I leave the synagogue and decide to keep following this man?”

I have the luxury of knowing that Jesus is God who became man, something as the first reading tells us is lower than angels. In my imagination, I am sure I would continue to follow him.

In reality, in my modern life, I don’t always follow the path to follow Jesus, even though I want to. Yet, every day there are some detours, some slips, omissions where I lose my way. Sometimes I’m stubborn and feel righteous when I know I didn’t do what I should or I didn’t respond with kindness or love. My prayer today is ask for mercy and for courage to stay on the right path. (Zuegner, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Knowing without loving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Those words show clearly that the demons had much knowledge, but entirely lacked love. They dreaded receiving their punishment from him. They did not love the righteousness that was in him. He made himself known to them to the extent he willed; and he willed to be made known to the extent that was fitting. But he was not made known to them as he is known to the holy angels, who enjoy participation in his eternity, in that he is the Word of God. To the demons he is known as he had to be made known, by striking terror into them, for his purpose was to free from their tyrannical power all who were predestined for his kingdom and glory, which is eternally true and truly eternal. Therefore, he did not make himself known to the demons as the life eternal, and the unchangeable light which illuminates his true worshipers, whose hearts are purified by faith in him so that they see that light. He was known to the demons through certain temporal effects of his power, the signs of his hidden presence, which could be more evident to their senses, even those of malignant spirits, than to the weak perception of human beings. (excerpt from CITY OF GOD 9.21) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 1:21-28 comments that Jesus’ authority is more than a concept; he has the power to save us and to free us. This is not something he wants us to simply accept in theory; he wants us to exercise our faith by placing our trials and challenges under his authority!

Whatever difficulty you might be experiencing right now, or whatever situation you feel most bound by, bring it to Jesus. Proclaim, “Jesus, I believe that you are Lord and that you have the authority to set me free! Thank you, Lord, that I am not left to deal with this on my own.” Keep believing and praying, and then watch for signs of his power in your life.

“Jesus, you are the Lord of the universe and the Lord of my life!” (Meditation on Mark 1:21-28, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the important message to people with knowledge of Greek philosophy about Jesus' relationship to the angels. We only learn perfect obedience through Jesus on the Cross. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus maintains the messianic secret in the synagogue to express His ministry as the Son of Man in Daniel and the Songs of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces religious historian Dr. Nichole Flores who shares the Christian witness of civil rights organizer and strategist Ella Baker, a powerful mentor and champion for young people’s voices and leadership.

 

While Baker supported the students in their efforts, she insisted that the movement was about larger issues than lunch counters; it was about “something much bigger than a hamburger or even a giant-sized Coke.” [1] True freedom required learning to treat others with dignity and equality … [and] teaching others to love freedom and to do the work required to sustain it. Baker considered human equality to be a divine calling, a state that was good for its own sake. And she offered the students another perspective on their organizing without dousing the flames of the passionate pursuit of their own most important issues and campaigns….  

Baker also shows the way forward for those who want to eradicate racism from American society. She shows us that sharing our bounty with our neighbors builds a strong community. She teaches us to love good ideas even when they are new or unfamiliar. She demonstrates that loving our neighbors requires that we listen to their stories. She reveals that humility and self-critique are the friends of courage and power. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the circumstances that surround our recognition of authority in the words and actions of people inspired by the Spirit and the resonance of our experience with the people to whom Jesus ministers.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/2?5 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?21 

Meditation on Mark 1:21-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/14/1180023/ 

Psalms PSALM 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2 025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Ella Baker: Advocate for Black Lives. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ella-baker-advocate-for-black-lives/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Taught with Authority. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan14 

Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011425.html 

Worship and Work

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to petition the Spirit to guide our Baptismal task of transformation to priest, prophet, and leader in service of the people in our environment.

Transformation by Service

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews declares God Has Spoken by His Son and proclaims The Son Is Superior to Angels.

* [1:1–4] The letter opens with an introduction consisting of a reflection on the climax of God’s revelation to the human race in his Son. The divine communication was initiated and maintained during Old Testament times in fragmentary and varied ways through the prophets (Heb 1:1), including Abraham, Moses, and all through whom God spoke. But now in these last days (Heb 1:2) the final age, God’s revelation of his saving purpose is achieved through a son, i.e., one who is Son, whose role is redeemer and mediator of creation. He was made heir of all things through his death and exaltation to glory, yet he existed before he appeared as man; through him God created the universe. Heb 1:3–4, which may be based upon a liturgical hymn, assimilate the Son to the personified Wisdom of the Old Testament as refulgence of God’s glory and imprint of his being (Heb 1:3; cf. Wis 7:26). These same terms are used of the Logos in Philo. The author now turns from the cosmological role of the preexistent Son to the redemptive work of Jesus: he brought about purification from sins and has been exalted to the right hand of God (see Ps 110:1). The once-humiliated and crucified Jesus has been declared God’s Son, and this name shows his superiority to the angels. The reason for the author’s insistence on that superiority is, among other things, that in some Jewish traditions angels were mediators of the old covenant (see Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19). Finally, Jesus’ superiority to the angels emphasizes the superiority of the new covenant to the old because of the heavenly priesthood of Jesus.

* [1:5–14] Jesus’ superiority to the angels is now demonstrated by a series of seven Old Testament texts. Some scholars see in the stages of Jesus’ exaltation an order corresponding to that of enthronement ceremonies in the ancient Near East, especially in Egypt, namely, elevation to divine status (Heb 1:5–6); presentation to the angels and proclamation of everlasting lordship (Heb 1:7–12); enthronement and conferral of royal power (Heb 1:13). The citations from the Psalms in Heb 1:5, 13 were traditionally used of Jesus’ messianic sonship (cf. Acts 13:33) through his resurrection and exaltation (cf. Acts 2:33–35); those in Heb 1:8, 10–12 are concerned with his divine kingship and his creative function. The central quotation in Heb 1:7 serves to contrast the angels with the Son. The author quotes it according to the Septuagint translation, which is quite different in meaning from that of the Hebrew (“You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fire your ministers”). The angels are only sent to serve…those who are to inherit salvation (Heb 1:14).

* [1:6] And again, when he leads: the Greek could also be translated “And when he again leads” in reference to the parousia. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 97 praises the Glory of God’s Reign.

* [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (Ps 97:1–6); cf. Ps 18:8–16; Mi 1:3–4; Heb 3:3–15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (Ps 97:7–9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (Ps 97:10–12). (Psalms PSALM 97 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the Beginning of the Galilean Ministry when Jesus Calls the First Disciples.

* [1:14–15] After John had been arrested: in the plan of God, Jesus was not to proclaim the good news of salvation prior to the termination of the Baptist’s active mission. Galilee: in the Marcan account, scene of the major part of Jesus’ public ministry before his arrest and condemnation. The gospel of God: not only the good news from God but about God at work in Jesus Christ. This is the time of fulfillment: i.e., of God’s promises. The kingdom of God…Repent: see note on Mt 3:2.

* [1:16–20] These verses narrate the call of the first Disciples. See notes on Mt 4:18–22 and Mt 4:20. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

David Crawford comments that the purpose that should fill our lives is to worship and follow God. 

Mark 1 tells us that when Jesus called, Andrew, Simon, James and John immediately dropped everything to follow.  They prioritized following Jesus over work and familial responsibilities.  Too often I have been ready to follow on my own terms, willing to do what Jesus calls when it did not conflict with my other plans.  In fact, I may not even have listened for Jesus calling until after finishing work and taking some “me” time in front of the television.   My song for 2025 will be Lead Me, Lord* and I will follow.

• Soloist Ariel Merivil with the First-Plymouth Church choir (Crawford, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Common people on an uncommon mission,” by Eusebius of Caesarea (260/263-340 AD).

"Reflect on the nature and grandeur of the one Almighty God who could associate himself with the poor of the lowly fisherman's class. To use them to carry out God's mission baffles all rationality. For having conceived the intention, which no one ever before had done, of spreading his own commands and teachings to all nations, and of revealing himself as the teacher of the religion of the one Almighty God to all humanity, he thought good to use the most unsophisticated and common people as ministers of his own design. Maybe God just wanted to work in the most unlikely way. For how could inarticulate folk be made able to teach, even if they were appointed teachers to only one person, much less to a multitude? How should those who were themselves without education instruct the nations?... When he had thus called them as his followers, he breathed into them his divine power, and filled them with strength and courage. As God himself he spoke God's true word to them in his own way, enabling them to do great wonders, and made them pursuers of rational and thinking souls, by empowering them to come after him, saying: 'Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people' (Mark 1:17, Matthew 4:19). With this empowerment God sent them forth to be workers and teachers of holiness to all the nations, declaring them heralds of his own teaching." (excerpt from PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 3.7) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 1:1-6 comments that this letter, probably written a little before AD 70, seems to have been addressed to Jewish Christians. They would have been very familiar with the idea of the “purification” mentioned here. According to the Law of Moses, the high priest was commanded to make annual sacrifices to purify the people from their sins (see Leviticus 16).

Keep this background in mind as you’re reading through Hebrews in the coming weeks, especially if you feel like you could use some encouragement. Jesus, the One who “accomplished purification,” is the One who “sustains all things by his mighty word” and is now seated “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). He is the One through whom God has spoken to us. And the purification he accomplished was not just for the readers of the Letter to the Hebrews—it was for you!

“Lord, thank you for coming to purify me! May I grow to love you more and more each day!” (Meditation on Hebrews 1:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the difference in theology and style from Paul that point to a Jewish Christian author of Hebrews likely from Alexandria who is familiar with Greek philosophy and the spirituality of the “icon” making God present in some way. The message in Mark notes the Kingdom is not a time or a place but is when God’s Love is present in our hearts. Friar Jude reminds us that God transforms the talents we have to serve the Kingdom.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, points to the transformative power of St. Francis and other more recent mystics and prophets. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) was a living exemplar of where we are all being attracted and led. Just as the Cosmic Christ serves as the Omega Point (Teilhard de Chardin’s term) for all of history, Francis is also a prime attractor, or what medieval theologians called a “final cause.” Christ and Francis draw humanity forward just by walking the full journey themselves. Transformed people quite simply transform people and set the bar of history higher for all of us. That is one of the ways we fundamentally “help” other people.

God gives us highly evolved people to pull us all forward. The Christian word for them was simply “saint.” We cannot imagine something until we see it through a living model or archetypal figure. Then it constellates in our consciousness as maybe possible for us too. Through his story, Francis is still greasing the wheels of consciousness and holiness. It then rubs off and spreads out by osmosis.  

I felt this strongly when I was invited to accompany the Dalai Lama. He said little beyond, “My religion is kindness,” but the stadium was packed. The lines just to see him, or perhaps touch him, reached across the Ohio River bridge to Louisville. Many pointed out the direct line between that event and Thomas Merton’s presence down the Kentucky road at Gethsemani Abbey. Merton, Mother Teresa, Pope Francis, and the Dalai Lama are all good examples of prime attractors in our own time. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the “work” of sharing the “Good News” and seek knowledge through the Spirit to make it real to those we encounter in our own time and place.

References

Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/011325.html 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/1?1 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?14 

Meditation on Hebrews 1:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/13/1179146/ 

Psalms PSALM 97 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/97?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Love Draws Us Forward. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/love-draws-us-forward/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Kingdom of God Is at Hand. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan13