Hearts That Resist!

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

1 Thess 5:1-6, 9-11; Lk 4:31-37

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ authority through his preaching and healing ministry, though his audience proves unresponsive to the manifestation of the divine authority in him. 

The text demonstrates Jesus’ mission on the one hand and the crowd’s reaction on the other. 

1. Power That Heals: If we may summarize what Jesus does in today’s Gospel, then we should say that he manifests the power that heals and transforms. For this reason, the word ‘authority’ has been employed twice. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus did not function by means of a borrowed or delegated authority. This is why when Jesus preached on scripture, he could claim it as his own. This is also why his audience could witness something unique that they did not witness in others. The first-hand authority that is evident in Jesus is even recognized by the demon as it cries out, ‘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.’ 

2. Hearts That Resist: While Jesus’ authority remains undisputed, what is disappointing is the crowd’s shallow response to his divine identity and mission. Hence, the text is an example of how we may be inspired but not change. It is still possible that we are amazed without being transformed. There is a danger that we may admire Jesus without ever becoming his disciples. As evidenced in the Gospels, Jesus was always surrounded by a huge crowd that witnessed the penetrating power of God’s Word, and yet, it remained cold and indifferent to the inbreaking of God’s message. The crowd only wanted a sign from Jesus without perceiving his call. It only enjoyed the spectacle without conversion. They called themselves God’s people but still stayed at a distance from Him. 

Though there is God’s power at work, we can resist it just as the crowd does. 

Unless we let Jesus’ authority transform our hearts, our sense of wonder or astonishment is of no consequence. 

Let us pray that we may turn to Jesus in faith, responding to his power and authority.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar