26 November 2026 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malabar Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!”” Luke 4:36
Paul warns the Corinthians to flee from idolatry, and gives a reason that is pure Eucharistic theology: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” Those who share the Lord's table cannot also share the table of demons. The Holy Qurbono binds us to Christ and to one another; it excludes every other lord.
In the synagogue at Capernaum the people are astounded at Jesus' teaching, “because he spoke with authority.” A man with an unclean spirit cries out: “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebukes the spirit and it leaves him. His word is not just information; it is power that frees. The same word is spoken over the bread and cup at our altar.
Theme: “He commands with authority.”
The word that frees and the table that unites.
“For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Psalm 33:9
“They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.” Luke 4:32
Apply: Let one word of the Gospel command your day.
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3
“I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Luke 4:34
Apply: Sing the Qadishat Aloho with attention.
“Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, “See the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”” Exodus 24:8
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16
Apply: Prepare carefully for your next Holy Communion.
His word frees; his table unites.
Let us have no other lord.
Take-home resolution: Make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament this week.
Dear friends, Paul warns the Corinthians to flee from idolatry, and gives a reason that is pure Eucharistic theology: the cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body (1 Corinthians 10:16–17).
In the Gospel Jesus teaches with authority in the synagogue at Capernaum; a man with an unclean spirit cries out: I know who you are, the Holy One of God. Jesus drives it out with a word, and all are amazed: what kind of utterance is this (Luke 4:33–36)!
It is the Holy One of God whom we receive at the Holy Qurbono. Those who share the one cup cannot serve other masters: money, power, superstition. This Sunday let us come to church a moment early and prepare our hearts in silence. Amen.
Children, at the Holy Qurbono Jesus gives himself to us. On Sunday sit quietly in church and talk to Jesus!
Lord Jesus, Holy One of God, your word frees us from every evil spirit. Make us one through the bread we break and the cup we bless, and let no other lord rule our hearts. Amen.
Today's readings show two meals and two powers. Paul tells the Corinthians that they cannot share both the table of the Lord and the table of demons: the cup and the bread unite us with Christ and with one another. In Capernaum Jesus speaks with authority, and an unclean spirit has to leave at his word. The One who drives out evil is the One who gives himself at the table of the Holy Qurbono.
Setting.
Corinth was a city full of temples. Meat sold in the market had often been offered to an idol, and social life included dinners in temple dining rooms. In chapters 8–10 Paul answers questions about this. Here he reaches the heart of the matter: taking part in a sacrificial meal in honour of an idol is incompatible with the Eucharist.
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” (10:16)
Paul does not prove the Real Presence; he takes it for granted as something the Corinthians already believe, and draws a conclusion from it.
“Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (10:17)
The body of Christ we receive makes us the body of Christ we are. Communion with Christ and communion with one another cannot be separated.
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (10:21)
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism uses these verses to explain why the Eucharist is called Holy Communion (CCC 1331) and how the Eucharist makes the Church (CCC 1396). St Augustine told the newly baptised: if you are the body of Christ and his members, it is your own mystery that is placed on the Lord's table; be what you see, and receive what you are (in substance, Sermon 272). In the Holy Qurbono the priest breaks the one bread, and the people who share it become one body.
Setting.
Jesus has just been rejected at Nazareth (4:16–30). He goes down to Capernaum, a fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, which becomes the centre of his ministry. This is the first miracle Luke reports, and it takes place in a synagogue on the Sabbath.
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.” (4:32)
““Let us alone! 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.”” (4:34)
“What have you to do with us?” is a Semitic way of saying: we have nothing in common. The answer to “Have you come to destroy us?” is yes.
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm.” (4:35)
Only Luke adds “without having done him any harm”. Jesus' power over evil is always gentle with the person it frees.
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism teaches that Jesus' exorcisms deliver people from the domination of demons and anticipate his great victory over “the ruler of this world”; the coming of God's Kingdom means the defeat of Satan's (CCC 550). The Church continues this ministry in Christ's name, in baptism and, when needed, in exorcism (CCC 1673).
Is Paul saying idols have real power?
No. An idol is nothing (10:19; 8:4). But worship given to what is not God opens a door to evil. Christians must not divide their loyalty.