Gospel of January 12, 2021 with the comment of Pope Francis

READING OF THE DAY
From the letter to the Jews
Heb 2,5-12

Brothers, certainly not to angels God has subjected the future world, of which we speak. Indeed, in a passage of the Scripture someone stated:
«What is man that you remember him
or the son of man why do you care?
You made him a little less than the angels,
you crowned him with glory and honor
and you put everything under his feet ».

Having subjected all things to him, he left nothing that was not subjected to him. At the present moment, however, we do not yet see that everything is subject to him. However, that Jesus, who was made slightly inferior to the angels, we see crowned with glory and honor because of the death he suffered, so that by the grace of God he might experience death for the benefit of all.

Indeed, it was fitting that God - through whom and through whom all things exist, he who leads many children to glory - made the leader who guides salvation perfect by means of sufferings. Indeed, the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all come from the same origin; for this he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying:
"I will announce your name to my brothers,
in the midst of the assembly I will sing your praises ».

GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Mark
Mk 1,21b-28

At that time, Jesus, entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, [in Capernaum,] was teaching. And they were amazed at his teaching: he taught them as one who has authority, and not as the scribes.

And behold, in their synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and he began to cry out, saying, "What do you want from us, Jesus Nazarene?" Have you come to ruin us? I know who you are: the saint of God! ». And Jesus ordered him severely: «Be quiet! Get out of him! ». And the unclean spirit, tearing him apart and crying out loud, came out of him.
Everyone was so frightened that they asked each other: «What is this? A new teaching, given with authority. He even commands the impure spirits and they obey him! ».

His fame immediately spread everywhere, throughout the region of Galilee.

WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER
Because it was close, he understood; but he welcomed, healed and taught with closeness. What gives a pastor authority or awakens the authority that is given by the Father is closeness: closeness to God in prayer - a pastor who does not pray, a shepherd who does not seek God has lost part - and closeness to people. The pastor detached from the people does not reach the people with the message. Proximity, this double closeness. This is the anointing of the shepherd who is moved by the gift of God in prayer, and can be moved by the sins, the problem, the diseases of the people: he lets the pastor move. (Santa Marta, 9 January 2018)