Walking with Jesus: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, January 28, 2024

Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Mark 1:21-28

Who has control over me? Who am I willing to give control over me? If I let God have control over me, am I giving up too much? What does God want of me? Am I willing to accept the demands of discipleship and change my way of living? Does God really need me?

A question: Can you guess who wrote the following about the authority and power of Christ?

I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds may see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires. … That resemblance does not exist. Between Christ and anyone else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. With what authority does He teach men to pray! You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and the enthusiasm they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers. But can you conceive of a dead man making conquests with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? How different is the power of the God of the Christians and the perpetual miracle of the progress of the faith and the government of His church?

For Napoleon, the authority and power of Jesus Christ over all human beings was much greater than that of anyone who ever lived. Do I believe this AND do I live accordingly?

It’s interesting that prophecy was considered a form of divine communication down through the ages. The laws of Israel said that only God could initiate the communication. They felt that some of this could occur in dreams and visions. Moses was not normally considered a prophet, although he did compose the first five books of the Bible — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy — referred to as the Pentateuch. In today’s first reading he is saying he is a prophet. Do we listen to this accordingly? Here Moses is saying that just as he has been chosen by God to be a prophet [Exodus 4:12-17], God promises another will be raised up. He will not leave the people without a mediator. This prophet will not be an outsider but will come from the people [Deuteronomy 18:15]. And God will put words in the mouth of this prophet so that the message proclaimed will be the message not of the prophet, but of God [Deuteronomy 18:18]. Moses emphasizes that this is the “this is it” message, since this is from God. Anyone who disregards this message is liable to divine punishment. I wonder how we can be so frivolous and inattentive when we hear these sacred pronouncements?

Paul is not married … he prefers this state. Married people have more responsibilities than those who are not married. In today’s reading, Paul is concerned with the demands that society, our families, our work community, school community, government, and the larger world make upon us. The more one is involved in these demands, their loyalties can be divided. Do these demands distract me from my responsibilities to God and living as a “child of God and a promised citizen of heaven?” Paul is not imposing any set “laws” but insists on “being free of anxieties and without distraction” in living our daily lives with God as our God.

An amazing event happens in Mark’s community that witnessed the exorcism of a person possessed by Satan: “A new teaching with authority” [Mark 21:27]. It is the custom of Mark's time that adult male members of the community take turns teaching those assembled in the synagogue. This is Jesus’ community. A sign over the town entrance reads: “Capharnaum, The Town of Jesus.” The people are accustomed to the way scribes teach. These “official” teachers or interpreters are students of the law who rely on more authoritative teachers. But Jesus’ exorcism of the possessed man stops them in their tracks. The people believe that evil spirits roam the earth, causing havoc wherever they go. Here is a confrontation between good and evil — God’s power as seen in Jesus and this evil spirit whom Jesus calls by name: “Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” [Mark 1:24] This certainly is an amazing scene. Imagine it! Reflect on it! This is Jesus, God, who has been sent by the Father to call us into a sacred relationship individually with the promise of heaven. Do I recognize its importance?  

So I reflect on today’s Psalm Response:

“If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts!”

When my heart is hard, I look out into the world and see _______.
But when my heart is soft, I look out into the world and see _______.
When my heart is hard, God’s voice sounds like _______.
But when my heart is soft, God’s voice sounds like _______.

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“Jesus was in the synagogue on the sabbath. He was teaching, so His prophetic lifestyle was emerging. He taught with authority, not like the scribes. He had something fresh and new to share and could do so in a convincing way. Lord, we pray that we might be prophetic in sharing Your message in an authoritative way.”

A poem from the Missionaries of Africa:

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain;
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.