Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 2, 2025
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,
and he cried out in a loud voice,
“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!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
“What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.”
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
In the mid-1990s, news spread throughout Bengal, India, about the remarkable contribution of the first Bengali archbishop. People were amazed by his teaching and the authority he wielded in sanctifying and governing the church. Every day, thousands flocked to him, drawn by a redemptive voice that offered healing for their daily struggles.
In today’s gospel, we delve into the astonishment that people felt regarding Jesus’ power and authority. It reminds me of how Archbishop Amol Ganguly, C.S.C., embraced and embodied Jesus’ authority through love and care, leaving many in awe.
The term “astonished” carries significant weight. What is the context of Jesus’ time? Back then, people were often amazed by the depth of a Jewish rabbi’s rhetoric or by how many references they could cite from other teachers, each of whom had learned from yet another rabbi, ultimately tracing their lineage back to Moses.
However, in this gospel, the astonishment of the people at Jesus’ authoritative voice sets him apart from other rabbis and even Moses. Their surprise stems from encountering a fresh approach to teaching—a new authority defined by love, care, and compassion for others. Jesus introduces a new commandment aimed at driving out evil, something they had never experienced before.
The Greek word for “authority” is exousia, which translates to “from his own being.” More specifically, this essence of Jesus is rooted in his continuous self-emptying humility for humanity and his commitment to elevating others. Therefore, it is Jesus’ unique blend of humble authority in teaching that truly distinguishes the people’s astonishment from the teachings of other rabbis.
Through our Baptism, we have each received the same authority, a lesson that Ganguly embodied during the crisis in Bengal. This authority isn’t about wielding physical or political power or merely showcasing our scholarly achievements. Rather, it emanates from our priestly, prophetic, and kingly roles, expressed through love and compassion as we care for our brothers and sisters in need. This, indeed, is the essence of true power and authority.
Prayer
Father in heaven, from the days of Abraham and Moses, until our own day you have formed a people in the image of your Son. Bless your people with the gift of your kingdom. May we serve with our every desire and show love one for another even as you have loved us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Maxima was a house servant and nanny to a family of imperial nobility in ancient Rome. She was given responsibility for caring for the family’s son, Ansanus, and she secretly baptized him as a child and raised him as a Christian.
When he was 19, Ansanus’ own father denounced him as a Christian during a persecution. Ansanus boldly admitted his faith, and both he and Maxima were beaten and scourged; Maxima died from these wounds. Ansanus survived, and escaped Rome and fled north.
As he traveled, he told those he met the good news of Jesus Christ, and baptized so many people in the region near Siena that he became known as Ansanus the Baptizer. He was finally captured and beheaded by order of the emperor.
St. Ansanus is known as the Apostle of Siena and is that city’s patron saint; his feast day is December 1. The relics of St. Maxima rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Maxima, you were the nanny who was martyred for raising a saint—pray for us!
