Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Mark (1: 21-28) in which we see the growing authority of Jesus. This growing authority, Fr Paul says, is the theme of the early part of Mark’s Gospel.

As we know, Jesus has already called his disciples and when he called them, they left everything at once and followed him, such was his authority.  Now in the synagogue Jesus teaches with authority.  Further on, to emphasise even more how much authority he has, Jesus has authority over unclean spirits. The unclean spirits, as we hear in the Gospel, acknowledge that Jesus has a special link with God.

For our reflection today, Fr Paul says we might ask ourselves, ‘What is unclean in my life at the moment? What do I want Jesus to drive out from within me?’