Reflection for September 2 Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 4:31-37

Gospel: Luke 4:31-37

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.

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Reflection:

Do you recognize the authority of Jesus over your life?

When Jesus speaks, He speaks with divine authority—and because of this, we are called to listen with open hearts. His words are not mere suggestions but life-giving truths meant to transform us. Consider His teachings about love, forgiveness, and humility. Do we truly love and forgive the way Jesus loves and forgives us? Do we embrace and live out the virtue of humility?

Think, for instance, of those moments when misunderstandings arise within the family. Are we humble enough to extend a hand of forgiveness, even when we are not the ones at fault? This is the humility Jesus calls us to—humility that heals relationships, restores peace, and reflects His own heart.

In today’s Gospel, even the demon recognized the power and authority of Jesus. If the evil one bows before Him, how much more should we listen to His voice? Yet, many of us resist. Instead of surrendering to the Lord, we allow our ego-driven desires to rule our decisions. And in doing so, we close our ears to the One who brings life.

The truth is, forgiveness, humility, and freedom from sin are the areas where we often stumble. It is not easy to forgive, to resist temptation, or to humble ourselves before others. Why? Because we let pride and self-interest overshadow the teaching of Jesus.

But if we want true peace and stillness in our lives, we must listen to Him. His words calm the storms within our hearts and bring harmony into our homes. Without Him, there will always be an emptiness—a restless absence of peace within us and a lack of harmony in our families.

So today, let us pause, listen, and surrender to the voice of Jesus. For In His authority, there is no oppression but freedom, no fear but peace, no burden but rest for our weary souls. 

Do you listen to the power and authority of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas