Faith Daily | 10 January 2023

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p526

Almighty God,

who anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit

and revealed him as your beloved Son:

inspire us, your children,

who are born again of water and the Spirit,

to surrender our lives to your service,

that we may rejoice to be called your children;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 1: 21-28

21They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and 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.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They 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.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Pamela Davey

Rowan Williams points out that Mark’s Gospel starts from two basic insights - that it is not miracle that is the unique or special thing about Jesus, and that miracle itself, when it occurs, involves trust and relationship. It is never a kind of magic, a display of power and control.

This passage reminded me of an occasion in church when a woman whose mind was very disturbed cried out before communion. The priest ushered her outside and took time to walk with her, calming her as he formed a relationship with her. The priest then took time to calm the congregation as they worried for her. Trust and relationship.

FINAL PRAYER Michael Leunig

God help us

If our world should grow dark;

And there is no way of seeing or knowing.

Grant us courage and trust

To touch and be touched

To find our way onwards

By feeling.

Amen.