Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
king of the nations,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the earth.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Mark 1.21-28
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘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 the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Reflection
They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Those who are called to work in the teaching profession take on an enormous responsibility. Teaching is not just a matter of passing on factual knowledge, it is also about changing outlooks and helping students to share in the excitement of seeing new horizons. As we moved into the new millennium there was a change in the way teacher training was regulated. As with many other professions, trainee teachers had to meet a set of professional standards before they could qualify to work in the classroom. The first of those standards (the initial list consisted of around 120 boxes that had to be ticked) was to demonstrate a love and enthusiasm for one’s subject. Interestingly, later revisions softened that wording until it was finally dropped, now being ‘implied’ in the way other standards are phrased! In today’s reading we hear of the effectiveness of Jesus’ teaching capabilities as his ‘love and enthusiasm’ changed the way others saw the world.
Alongside the power of Jesus’ teaching we have a subtle condemnation of what had gone before: and not as the scribes. Jesus came to earth to bring a new teaching, he did not come to reinforce the old ways, the ways that had been formulated to bolster the power and authority of the religious elite. Jesus’ teaching had an authenticity which revealed the superficiality of the old ways. Jesus’ teaching was based in God’s commandment to love both the divine and our neighbours, no matter who or what those neighbours may be. Jesus’ teaching, although rooted in the ancient scriptures, was also fresh and exciting, it inspired people because it touched base with the reality of their lives.
We should not think of Jesus’ teaching as being a ‘soft option’. Jesus did not place the other-worldly rigours of first century Jewish religious life above all else, but he did still demand a level of discipline and commitment from his followers. Jesus called for repentance, for a ‘turning round’, a turning away from our old sinful and self-centred habits. Jesus called for us to share in his mission and ministry by proclaiming the Good News and bringing healing and light into the lives of others. Those who heard Jesus’ teaching were excited and inspired by this new teaching, their lives were changed.
Let us pray that we too might learn from his teaching. Let us pray that we might then rise from our metaphorical desks and go out to share the new teaching with others. Let us pray that we might, through our words and actions, help others to continue lighting the beacons of knowledge and faith as they journey through this world.
Prayers
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the people of God in all the world
may worship in spirit and in truth,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the Church may discover again
that unity which is the Father’s will,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the nations of the earth
may seek after the ways that make for peace,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the whole creation, groaning in travail,
may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God,
let us pray to the Lord.
That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death
may rest in peace and rise in glory,
let us pray to the Lord.
Let us commend the world, to which Christ showed the way,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey’s end
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Believing the promises of God,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ the Son of God
perfect in us the image of his glory
and gladden our hearts
with the good news of his kingdom;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
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