4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 1Corinthians 7:32-35 Mark 1:21b-28
Theme: He (Jesus) Speaks with Authority
Today is the fourth Sunday in ordinary time Year B. The readings we have today points out the fact that there is something unique and special about the person of Jesus and his teachings. In the first reading, Moses points out the fact that God is going to bring out somebody among the people whose prophetic words the people shall heed. Those who do not heed his words will be held accountable. These are the words of God and should be taken very seriously by all those who believe in God, lest we will be punished on the last day. The first reading is saying a lot to us as followers of Christ in our own time. A very important question that we need to answer today is: are we putting into practice the word of God that we read and listen to? We are challenged today to allow the word of God guide our lives.
Also, there is an emphasis on the fact that we must not use the name of God to manipulate other people. By telling people things that God has not commanded you to say. This is very important in our own time when people are manipulating others for their selfish gain in the name of God. We are encouraged today to desist from such actions, lest we bring the judgment of God upon ourselves. The word of God should never be used as a tool of exploitation for our selfish gain. The word of God does not enslave us, it rather liberates us, strengthens us, heals us and guides us towards living good and holy lives irrespective of our chosen vocations (whether as religious or lay people) in life.
In the second reading, St. Paul encourages us to serve God with undivided devotion. Not minding our state of lives. This assertion is not restricted to only those who have embraced the ministerial priesthood; it equally involves all of us as children of God. All those who are single or married are equally encouraged to serve God in their own state with undivided devotion. My brothers and sisters in Christ, it is a general call to devotion and holiness of life. When our lives are guided by God’s word, it becomes easier for us to embrace holiness of life as encouraged by St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. When this becomes our situation, there will be harmony between the word of God that we carry and our daily lives.
St. Mark gospel points out the fact that the teaching of Jesus was different from the way the scribes taught the people. Jesus spoke with power and authority. This was possible because he was talking to the people with his conviction and lived experience. Simply put, there was harmony between what he was telling the people and his lived experience. In the same way my brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all encouraged to imbibe this same spirit in our individual lives. May what we preach be seen in our lives, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.