Learn by Topic: Authority

Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 1:21-28) speaks about the mysterious power of Jesus:

[21] And they went into Caper’na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.  [22] And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.  [23] And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;  [24] and he cried 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.”   [25] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”   [26] And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.   [27] And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” [28] And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Following on yesterday’s amazing call of Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, Jesus convincingly demonstrates His Divine power and authority: (more…)

The Contagion of False Teachers

The term, “heresy”, comes from Latin and Greek words, meaning, “school of thought” and “to seize, choice”.  The Church teaches that “heresy” refers to teachings that are in obstinate denial of the Truth of Jesus Christ as taught by the Catholic Church (CCC 2089).   The first heretic, Satan, taught Adam the “Original Heresy” which promised that Man could be “like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:5).

Today, the world has a contagion of false teachings and teachers, supporting heresies of the past (e.g. the child sacrifice of abortion, the perversion of homosexual behavior, false idols, New Age Gnosticism, false Christianities, secularism, etc.).  Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), is at the center of these false “schools of thought” that encourage the “choice” to revolt against the Truth of Jesus Christ.

The Church, still guided by Jesus Christ the Divine Rabbi, is in a time of renewal and return to the true teachings of Jesus Christ as evidenced the call to learn of Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time), the publication of The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the call for the New Evangelization. (more…)