In the gospel passage, there is a rather interesting statement that the people made - "Here is a teaching that is new" they said "and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him."
Does that mean to imply that the other religious teachers of that time had tried to expel evil but were unsuccessful?
And if they tried to expel evil and were unsuccessful, does it mean that their authority was questionable?
The gospel passage noted that Jesus taught with authority and it made a deep impression on the people.
When Jesus proclaimed the Good News, His message was simple and straightforward - the Kingdom of God was close at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News.
That is the Good News and God will give authority to anyone who proclaims that simple and straightforward message.
It is essentially a message of repenting of sinful ways and believing in the goodness of God.
In the 1st reading, Hannah prayed for a child and Eli, with his priestly authority, proclaimed that the God of Israel will grant her what she had asked for.
And indeed, with thanksgiving Hannah named her child "Samuel" - "I asked the Lord for him".
Let us ask the Lord for the grace of repentance to turn away from sinful ways and to believe in His goodness and providence. That would be enough to expel all evil.
Does that mean to imply that the other religious teachers of that time had tried to expel evil but were unsuccessful?
And if they tried to expel evil and were unsuccessful, does it mean that their authority was questionable?
The gospel passage noted that Jesus taught with authority and it made a deep impression on the people.
When Jesus proclaimed the Good News, His message was simple and straightforward - the Kingdom of God was close at hand. Repent and believe in the Good News.
That is the Good News and God will give authority to anyone who proclaims that simple and straightforward message.
It is essentially a message of repenting of sinful ways and believing in the goodness of God.
In the 1st reading, Hannah prayed for a child and Eli, with his priestly authority, proclaimed that the God of Israel will grant her what she had asked for.
And indeed, with thanksgiving Hannah named her child "Samuel" - "I asked the Lord for him".
Let us ask the Lord for the grace of repentance to turn away from sinful ways and to believe in His goodness and providence. That would be enough to expel all evil.