Photo was taken at Effin, Co.Limerick (Irl)

It is easy to spot a true supporter: plenty of face paint, smiles and colour. These girls from Col√°iste Choilm were supporting their friends and clasmates in a recent Munster Football Final.

Thought on Sunday – January – 29/01/2012

THe following reflection is called ‘Jesus the teacher’ and is written by Jane Mellett

Have you ever had a teacher who had that something you just couldn’t quite put your finger on – that air of authority that made you instantly respect them; that charisma and enthusiasm that inspired you to listen and to think? Maybe you were lucky enough to have a teacher who left a lasting impression or even propelled you towards your chosen career or way of life? Remember how you felt in their presence?
What kind of teacher was Jesus? When Jesus taught for the first time in the synagogue, he took the people by surprise. They were ‘astonished’. What stands out from the description, and what marks Jesus’ teaching apart from everyone else, is that he taught with authority: ‘Here is a teaching that is new and with authority behind it.’

His audience had surely been to the synagogue before. Travelling teachers would often preach in the synagogue. Yet, whatever the people were used to hearing, they had encountered no one like Jesus before. Mark points out that ‘unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority’. He had something their regular teachers lacked. Those who hear him can see that this is something new and exciting. Even the unclean spirits recognise his authority. We meet Jesus here at the beginning of his ministry; earlier in the Gospel of Mark he has been proclaiming the good news: ‘The kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the good news’. Jesus is not simply teaching the Scriptures as the scribes did. He is proclaiming the coming of God’s kingdom.