February 1, 2015

4th Sun., Ordinary Time

February 1, 2015:  4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thanks, Sid
  • 'Hearts' suspenders:  If you hear God's voice, don't harden your hearts (psalm)
  • 'Rock' tie pin:  Acclaim the rock of our salvation (psalm)
  • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Kneel before the Lord (psalm)
  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  We're the flock the Lord guides (psalm)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  A married man is divided (2nd reading)
  • Guest dresser Sid's green shirt:  Ordinary Time season.  (I'm wearing a green windbreaker and socks, but his shirt trumps it all.)
Listen


"The people were amazed at Jesus' teaching, because he taught with authority."  Listen to God's Word, receive its teaching, and announce it to others.  In the words of a ‘human’ Jesus there was God's authority; his every word is truth.  The Gospel frees those enslaved by evil:  vanity, attachments, pride, sensuality…; it changes our hearts, transforming evil inclinations into good.  It can change people!  Have daily contact with the Gospel:  read and meditate on it; let that source of salvation nurture you.

  • Dt 18:15-20  Moses:  “God will raise up a prophet like me from among your kin, as you requested at Horeb; listen to him.  God:  'If a prophet speaks in my name an oracle I didn't command him to speak, he'll die.'”
Wordle: Readings 2-1-15
  • Ps 95:1-2, 6-9  "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  Sing joyfully to the Lord, rock of our salvation.  Come with thanksgiving; bow in worship before the Lord our God who made us.  We're the flock he guides.  "Don't harden your hearts as in the desert where your fathers tested me though they'd seen my works."
  • 1 Cor 7:32-35  Be free of anxieties.  An unmarried man is anxious about how he may please the Lord, but a married man is divided, anxious about things of the world and how he may please his wife.  An unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, but a married woman is anxious about things of the world and how she may please her husband.  I tell you not to restrain you but so you may adhere to the Lord undistracted.
  • Mk 1:21-28  The Capernaum people were astonished at Jesus' teaching with authority.  Jesus rebuked a man with an unclean spirit; it convulsed him and came out.  “What?  Even unclean spirits obey him.”  His fame spread.
Reflect
    • Creighton:  "I know who you are":  The crowd recognizes Jesus' teaching as with authority, but only the demon recognizes its source:  “You're God's Holy One!”  In Mk the "who is he?" question lingers till he dies and the soldier declares, "He was God's son!"  If we grasp that, how would that change our lives?  As Merton gazed on a mosaic of Christ in glory, he realized Jesus was no mere historical figure but the living Lord.  Have I encountered Jesus as alive and in relationship with me?  Pope Francis quoted Benedict XVI:  “Being a Christian is not an ethical choice or lofty idea, but encounter with a Person that gives life a new horizon and direction.”  Jesus, draw us to know you as God's Holy One and our Savior, alive and with us!
    • One Bread One Body:  "Rated 'R'":  We must accept restrictions to be committed to the Lord:  poverty, chastity, family, fidelity, and service all restrict us, as any decision/commitment would; ask an athlete, business person, or celebrity.  When Jesus became a man, he took the form of a slave and was crucified; nothing is more restricting.  But he's free, rising and ascending.  We too can be restricted and resurrected.
    • Passionist:  Each evangelist chooses a different scene to begin their account of Jesus' ministry.  Mt:  Jesus ascends mountain, proclaims Sermon on the Mount; Lk:   Jesus reads Is 61 in Nazareth synagogue; Jn:  Jesus changes water to wine at Cana wedding feast.  Mk (today):  at Capernaum synagogue, Jesus teaches with authority, expels demon.  The Spirit drove Jesus to the desert to overcome evil, bring life, heal, reconcile, restore justice.  Mk reminds us God brings life; the Spirit that animates Jesus came to us in baptism.  Live expressing that lifegiving Spirit.
    • DailyScripture.net:  God’s word has power to set us free and transform us; when he commanded, even demons obeyed.  St. Augustine: "Faith is mighty, but without love it profits nothing.  Devils confessed Christ (Mk 1:24) but lacked charity."  Faith works through love (Gal 5:6) and abounds in hope (Rom 15:13).  Love orients us to God and to the good of others created in God's image.  Hope anchors our faith and purifies our desires.  Faith must be nourished with God's Word....
    • Today's saints (if not trumped by Sunday), both converts; see Universalis 
      • Henry Morse, Jesuit priest, martyr 
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