Compassionate Authority!

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20; Mk 1:29-39

Today’s Gospel highlights the compassionate authority of Jesus.

The Gospel shows that when Jesus had to reveal his authority, he did it in a way that highlighted the core of his person and identity. 

The Markan text gives his readers a typical understanding of Christ’s daily life. However, each activity of Jesus reveals who he is. In other words, Mark lets us understand who Jesus is by what he does. 

1. In the healing episode of Simon’s mother-in-law, we see something unique. Jesus’ ministry was not confined to sacred spaces like synagogues but was also extended to houses where there were sick people. What is more, scholars decode that in Greek, ‘help someone up’ is the same word for resurrection. Hence, Jesus does not give mere physical healing but restores people to life. This life-giving healing takes them away from isolation to restore communion. On her part, by resuming service immediately after her healing, Simon’s mother-in-law reminds us that true healing leads to service. 

2. Jesus’ compassionate authority is once again witnessed in the healing of the crowds of people who were gathered at the door. Jesus’ mission expands itself to wherever people need it. Here, Jesus reveals another rare character trait in him. He is very modest when it comes to reaping the reward of his mission. He does not permit demons to speak. For a public and popular figure like Jesus, who was known as a wonder worker among people, the temptation was always to give way to sensationalism or self-glorification. But Jesus reveals a deep restraint so that God is glorified in all he does. 

3. Jesus’ communion with his heavenly Father is proof that no amount of our ministerial commitments can replace prayer or spiritual communion. Jesus was a reflection of God Himself. This is why people exclaimed, ‘God has visited His people’ (Lk 7:16). St. Ignatius’ ‘For the Greater Glory of God’ (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam) explains Jesus’ ministry that gave praise to God. His spiritual rootedness was so profound that his disciples had to remind him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ It is the same spiritual energy that determines his missionary expansion to nearby towns and villages.

In sum, St. Mark lets us see who Christ is and how he transforms people’s lives with his compassionate authority. 

Let us pray that our mission may reflect the grace of Jesus to bring people to God.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar