Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, 
and he cried out in a loud voice,

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!

Jesus rebuked him and said,

Be quiet! Come out of him!

Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,

What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.

And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.


The peace of the Lord be with you. Today the Gospel reading stresses the power and authority of Jesus. This power is with Jesus because he is one with God the Father. It is through this union with God the Father that he casts out demons and performs remarkable healing.

The demon in our text today knows who and what he is and fears his power. So in the unseen world, even at this stage of his ministry, Jesus shines like a beacon of light. As we align our lives with His, we too become filled with His light, power, and authority to aide us in building a world of justice and equity for all peoples in His name.

Heavenly Father, help us to live as your children today and to use the power you have granted us to help the vulnerable and welcome those who feel they walk alone. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Readings for Tuesday, September 1, 2020