“Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
—Mark 1: 21-22

Mary of us have a vision of Jesus as being meek and mild, courteous an deferential. Our mental image is that of a silent Jesus accepting his fate from Pontius Pilate without complaint.

That behavior, however, was how Jesus chose to act during his passion. Sacred scripture has occasions when Jesus was pushy, high profile, even presumptive.

In today’s gospel reading from St. Mark, Jesus came to the town of Capernaum to minister. In fact, Jesus decided to move into Capernaum as his home base, since the town was located along the Sea of Galilee.

According to St. Mark, Jesus went to the Jewish synagogue (many of us conveniently forget that Jesus was a Jew) and began preaching His message of salvation and love of neighbor. Jesus was not a trained rabbi (at least we do not think He was), nor was He an official “minister.”

Imagine the astonishment of the faithful people in the synagogue when Jesus arrived and started preaching. Something like this just did not happen every day. Imagine the astonishment of the priests and rabbis, scribes and Pharisees to this young man.

And imagine their consternation when Jesus worked miracles on the site, including casting out a devil from a man possessed. His actions made news and attracted many.

As always, God Bless You!

—Father Aloy Funtila

Tags: Fr. Aloy Funtila | Jesus was not a Wallflower | St. Anastasia