Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – January 28, 2024.
Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2,6-7,7-9-; 1 Cor. 7:32-35; Gospel – Mark 1:21-28.
Theme: Authoritative Witnessing!
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading recounts how Moses the veteran leader Israel promised the people that the Lord will raise a leader from amongst them as a response to their request at Horeb. The second reading reveals the Pauline theology of celibacy as a witnessing which pleases God. The gospel presents Christ as a witness par excellence whose teaching always makes a “deep impression” on his audience. The gospel further discloses Jesus’ authority by stating how he exorcised the man with unclean spirits. While the call to holiness and authoritative witnessing is for all Christians, priests and religious are specifically challenged to understand that their lives and ministry must give witness to Christ.
Introduction
Friends in Christ, today the Church puts before us the demands of authoritative witnessing. The liturgy explores the dynamics of “Authoritative Witnessing” as it relates to priests, religious and the laity. It calls to mind our common baptism in Christ stressing the universal call to holiness.
Background and summary of the readings
The first reading (Deut. 18:15-20) recounts how Moses the veteran leader Israel promised the people that the Lord would raise a leader from amongst them as a response to their request at Horeb. Moses testified that God would put his words in the mouth of the said leader, and everyone must listen to him otherwise there are consequences. The text further warns fake prophets who have no spiritual pedigree and those who “speak in the name of other gods” to reform or perish.
The second reading (1 Cor. 7:32-35) reveals the Pauline theology of celibacy as a witnessing which pleases God. St. Paul praises celibacy and virginity for the sake of the kingdom of God. It lauds the Evangelical Counsel of celibacy/chastity which is the seasoning of the vocation to the priestly and religious life as a rare privilege to serve the Lord with an “undivided attention” – an avenue for authoritative witnessing.
The gospel (Mark 1:21-28) presents Christ as a witness par excellence whose teaching always makes a “deep impression” on his audience. This is because he taught them “with authority.” The gospel further discloses Jesus’ authority by stating how he exorcised the man with unclean spirits. The testimony of the people – “here is a teaching that is new – and with authority behind it: He gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him” confirms Jesus’ power to act in the name of God.
Pastoral Lessons
1. Be marketers of hope: Just as Moses gave hope to the Israelites that God would raise a great prophet from amongst them, it is incumbent on Pastors of Souls to be “Marketers of hope” as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah always insists.
2. Listen to priests: We are charged to always remember that priests are representatives of Christ and whatever they proclaim in God’s name enjoys divine endorsement just as the people of Israel took the words of Moses as divinely inspired.
3. Seek divine endorsement: Pastors of souls are charged to always seek divine empowerment even as they prepare their homilies and teach catechesis bearing in mind that Christ spoke with authority and his teaching made a “deep impression” on his audience.
4. Take to authoritative witnessing: The Pauline theology of celibacy and chastity not only reminds us about the flavour which this Evangelical Counsel provides the Church, but urges priests and religious to rededicate themselves to authoritative witnessing of the gospel values.
5. Care for the sick: Jesus’s authoritative witnessing reminds the Church to always put the ministry of the sick on the front burner as a way of showing God’s comforting countenance to the vulnerable, the infirmed, and delivering those afflicted by unclean spirits.
Summary Lines
1. The first reading recounts how Moses the veteran leader of the Israelites promised the people that the Lord would raise a leader from amongst them as a response to their request at Horeb.
2. The second reading reveals the Pauline theology of celibacy as a witnessing which pleases God.
3. St. Paul praises celibacy and virginity for the sake of the kingdom of God.
4. The gospel presents Christ as a witness par excellence whose teaching always makes a “deep impression” on his audience.
5. The gospel further discloses Jesus’ authority by stating how he exorcised the man with unclean spirits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as Christians, we are challenged to relish the divine mandate we received during baptism which made us co-sharers in the common priesthood of Christ. Just as Christ was anointed Priest, King, and Prophet, we are charged to use our union with him as a way of making a “deep impression” on those we meet in the daily event of our lives. While the call to holiness and authoritative witnessing is for all Christians, priests and religious are specifically challenged to understand that their lives and ministry must give witness to Christ. Happy Sunday – Have a great week ahead.
