Jan 31, 2021 - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Deut 18:15-20; I Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28)
The first reading represents Moses’ cautionary words to the Israelites concerning the authority of prophets/leaders who will follow in his footsteps. Once Moses is gone, how will the people know what God wants? Moses predicts that God will grant the people a new prophet, one who can speak with divine authority. This prophet must humbly acknowledge the message they are proclaiming as coming from God. The challenge for us is to listen deeply to hear God speaking through the prophets God sends to us. The Psalm reminds us not to harden our hearts so we miss God’s message from the prophets. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that all Christians married or unmarried, religious or lay, are called to a life of holiness and therefore, all of us are called to be “anxious about the things of the Lord.” The Lord calls people in a variety of ways. Each one of us must discern our calling from God and pursue it heartily with love and obedience. The city of Capernaum in Galilee is the place where Jesus launches his ministry. When Jesus casts the demon out of the man, showing his own God-given power, the witnesses react with surprise. They are awed by his teaching, his spiritual authority and the fact that even the demons are compelled to obey him. By his actions Jesus teaches the fundamentals of God’s Kingdom, God’s mercy.