1st Reading: Deut. 18:15-20
Moses predicts the coming of a future prophet greater than himself, into whose mouth God will put his own words.

2nd Reading: 1 7:32-35
Paul urges those who are celibate to follow his example and give their undivided attention to doing the Lord's work.

Gospel: Mk 1:21-28
Jesus heals the possessed man in Capernaum and the people recognise the amazing power of his message. His fame begins to spread around the villages of Galilee.

Reflection
Today we meet Christ who teaches with power and authority and wages war against evil in the world.  We too can teach, if not by word of mouth and with authority of Jesus then surely by our bearing, our disposition and by the kind of joyous lives we lead.  All teachings reveal not only one’s mind and heart. If our minds and hearts are filled with Christ, we become his voice to all we meet. What Jesus did in today’s gospel he wants to continue to do in his church, and we are the church. Christ's teaching impressed his contemporaries because he taught them with authority.  Following our Master, we must continue to impress the world by the clarity and the authority of our teaching.