Pope's Intentions
Universal: That all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples.
For Evangelization: That Christians of diverse denominations may walk toward the unity desired by Christ.
Tuesday of the First week in Ordinary Time
Commentary of the day
Saint Ambrose (c.340-397), Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church
Commentary on Saint Luke's Gospel, 4, 57 ; SC 45
"On the sabbath... he taught them as one having authority"
It is on the Sabbath that our Lord Jesus begins to accomplish his healing work to demonstrate that the new creation begins where the old came to an end and to mark, too, from the beginning that the Son of God is not subject to the Law but above the Law, that he does not destroy the Law but fulfills it (Mt 5,17). It was not through the Law but through the Word that the world was made, as we read: “By the Word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Ps 33[32],6). Thus the Law was not destroyed but fulfilled so as to restore fallen man. That is why the apostle Paul said: “Take off the old self; put on the new self which is created according to Christ” (cf. Col 3,9f.).
So it is only right that our Lord begins to show he is Creator on the sabbath day..., continuing the work he himself had begun in days of old. Like the workman who makes himself ready to repair a house, he begins, not with the foundations but with the roof. He begins to pull down what is crumbling... In freeing the man who was possessed he is beginning with the least so as to arrive at the greatest, for even men can set free from demons – by the word of God, of course. However, to order the dead to rise belongs to the power of God alone.