Homily For Tuesday of The First Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th January, 2026

 

Readings: 1Sam.1:9-20; Ps. 1Sam 2:4-7; Mark 1:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF JESUS OVER THE EVIL ONES

Oftentimes, when people are about to do something serious, it is always the case that they will need to back up their activities and message with authority. And when this is lacking, people may not take their activities and message seriously. Thus, in our Gospel passage today we heard people making reference to the authority by which Jesus speaks and carried out his mission. For he spoke and acted with God-given authority.

This is even more evidence of the manner in which he was able to rebuke the man possessed by an unclean spirit. These spirits are malicious beings that might be demons or fallen angels who have followed Satan to rebel against God. They might appear powerful as Satan, but in the end, none of them were able to rise up against God. For God alone is the source of all power and authority.

So Jesus, being the Son of God, wants to show us that he has been given all the power and authority over the evil ones. And through him, we have been given all authority and power over those spirits. The unclean spirit recognised Jesus as the power of God. His power over demons is a direct defeat of the evil one while the restoration of the possessed man signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom in the world.

Dear friends, it is obvious to everyone that Jesus had authority, his authority does not come from his position in life or from worldly power. Rather, his authority comes from his relationship with God his Father. He listened to his voice and spoke his words. Therefore, if we want to speak with authority, we must learn to spend time with God, listening to his voice and doing his will.

And this is what we see in the life of Hannah in our first reading today, who recognized the power and authority of God to answer her prayers and heal her barrenness. So she went to the temple and poured out her heart to God, and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and called him Samuel, since she said ‘I asked the Lord for him.

Hence, today we are called to recognize that the presence of Jesus in the world brings about victory over all our troubles. And Jesus has given us the gift of his presence in the person of the Holy Spirit, which God has bestowed on us in our baptism. In this gift resides the power and authority to evangelize the world and to confront evil and overcome it.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, in a world full of evil and intimidation, we need your authority once again to speak and stand for what is right and just. As we struggle with our daily tasks, may we be courageous, knowing that the same Jesus who delivered the possessed man can heal our fears, anxieties and worries, for his presence sets us free from evil manipulations, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Remember, the power to overcome resides in you. Have a blessed day.