My Dear Parishioners,

The Gospel for today is a good example of brevity. Christ has called some apostles and begins to teach in the synagogue. The most frequent title for Christ in the New Testament is teacher/master/rabbi. No title for Christ is used more often. Mark says quite simply: “On the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.” Synagogue worship of that time included a commentary on the Scripture. Mark does not give the Scripture text which Jesus chose, but we can only imagine how profound the teaching of the Son of God expounding on the Word of the Father would have been.

Mark quickly lets us know the response of the people. “The people were astonished at his teaching.” But Mark tells us the reason for the astonishment of the people. “He taught them as one having authority.” This authority is further emphasized when Christ immediately expelled the unclean spirit from the man.

Throughout human history, God has sent teachers with the message. The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. Christ the great Divine Teacher, came to earth with  “a new teaching with authority.” He encouraged, sometimes reprimanded, and faced the disappointment of those who left and listened no more to him.

Is Christ still teaching today? YES! The Church is Christ on earth, and it could not be Christ on earth if it did not teach with the authority of Christ. The word “Magisterium” refers to that teaching authority, which is protected by the Holy Spirit who was sent upon the apostles and their successors on Pentecost Sunday.

All of us of faith should take great comfort in knowing that we will not be taught error. God will not permit his Church to betray the truth. This is an article of faith. But human nature has not changed since the time of Christ. There are people today, who as in the time of Christ, hear the Word of God and embrace it with joy. There are also those who, for many reasons, reject the teachings. They find the Church’s teachings too challenging or demanding.

The voice of Christ the Teacher is still with us today. The Church speaks with the voice of Christ. We must listen with open hearts and not be afraid.

God Bless, Msgr. Maresca