Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, January 28, 2024.
In today’s exploration of Mark 1:21-28, I point to parallels between community in Jesus’ time and our own, both grappling with a loss of trust in earthly authority. The Gospel reveals Jesus reclaiming true authority for God, confronting evil, and demonstrating the transformative power of divine authority in everyday life. As we reflect on this good work, I invite us to consider how we, too, can align our actions with God’s intentions, triumph over challenges, and live out the Gospel in a world that often questions our Christian way of living.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Jesus went about Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every disease. – See Matthew 4.23
Today’s Reading – Mark 1:21-28
They 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, convulsing him 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.1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Reflection questions for the week:
- How has your perception of authority, both divine and earthly, been influenced by today’s message? In what areas of your life do you see a need for reclaiming true authority, aligning with God’s intentions?
- What specific actions can you take this week to embody the authority of Jesus in your daily life? How might your interactions with others change if guided by the commandments to love God and your neighbour?
- Reflect on the challenges presented by the secular world to the Christian way of living. How can you respond to these challenges with love, grace, and authenticity? In what ways can you navigate conversations about your faith with those who may question or challenge it?
- Think about the empty promises prevalent in today’s world. How can you discern between worldly promises and the true authority of the Gospel in your decision-making? What small steps can you take to contribute to the triumph of good over evil in your community and beyond?
This week music is again provided by Ryan Van Dijk, our Music Director. Thank you to Ryan for his ministry of music!
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.