Homily for Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Just as the people of Capernaum crowded around Jesus, He also invites us to listen to His “new teaching with authority.” Jesus brought new life to those sitting in darkness, to those who needed a new vision. We are in no less need of this new life and new vision today.

The Old Testament often describes the difficulties of ordinary people and how they tackled them. Similar struggles within the people of His times are condensed in the stories about Jesus driving out devils and speaking with authority. Today’s scriptures beckon us to seek an answer to the profound, creative grace at the foundation of our existence; to wait patiently and prayerfully; to pour out our soul to God; to be ready for personal struggles through moments of simplicity and the emptying of ourselves; to realize that Jesus has experienced all our trials in His own person so that in Him we find our true glory and honor as children of God.+