Commentary on the Gospel of
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
While reflecting on today’s readings, “and news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region” kept springing up in my mind. What were the various ways news was spread? What was said? What were people’s reactions? I think about our current methods of spreading news such as blogging, Facebook and Twitter, just to name a few, and these methods disseminate news quickly. And with the amount of news, we have become overloaded with news. At least I have. There are times when I completely try to step back from all news, but that doesn't last long. News is everywhere!
How does the news of Jesus continue to spread today? How accurate is this news? We are told that people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching because he spoke with authority. Jesus had such authority and power that demons not only listened to him but they did what he said. Do I recognize Jesus’ authority? Do I not only listen to him but do what he says? Do I believe and live as though he is the Holy One of God?
I share with you these many questions because of something I recently read on Facebook: “Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist.” Why don’t I continue to spread the news of Jesus everywhere? Maybe it has something to do with: “Now the natural man does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually.”
My prayer is to continually ask God to reveal to me what I cannot understand and to ask for the grace to spread the news of Jesus everywhere!
