Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?
Facilitator reads focus statement: Jesus as a teacher and prophet is the fulfillment of today's first reading. In the second reading, Paul encourages his readers to be ready for Christ's Second Coming by living a Christ-centered life. The readings today bid us to listen to the voice of the messengers whom God sends to us.
Now read the three readings and Psalm. Pause briefly at the end of each reading.
FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
In these verses, Moses tells the people how the ministry of prophecy will live on after he has died. Through the prophet, the Lord will continue to speak to the people of Israel and guide them in His ways. The people are reminded how they prefer God to communicate with them through the mediation of a prophet and not directly - a form of divine communication that the people found frightening: "Let us not hear again the voice of the Lord, nor see his great fire again, lest we die."
When the people receive a prophet, they must listen to his word and follow it. And the prophet must make sure that he only speaks an oracle or a word that God gives to him.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 95
The people's response to the prophetic word must be one of total acceptance.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
The context for these verses is the same as last week's. Paul believes that the Second Coming of Christ is imminent and he wants his people to prepare for it by placing their total focus on Christ and their relationship with him. Then Paul gives an opinion, which has had great historical impact on our church. Based on his own experience, Paul states that the unmarried state is to be preferred over the married state. He says the unmarried person can be more focused on the Lord and give himself totally to the Kingdom of God. Even though these verses led many in the church to conclude that the celibate life is superior to the married state, this was not Paul's intention. Rather, Paul is saying: seeing that Christ is soon to return, place your whole focus on him. If unmarried, don't become distracted with looking for a spouse.
GOSPEL: Mark 1:21-28
Having called a handful of disciples, Jesus begins his teaching and healing ministry. Mark notes how impressed the people were with Jesus. They were "spellbound" by him. Also, he "taught with authority", unlike their own scribes. What was this authority? It was the authority of God. Like the prophets of old, Jesus was anointed with God's Spirit, which enabled him to touch people's hearts. Also, his teaching was accompanied by signs and wonders. When Jesus taught, things happened. The sick were healed, cripples walked, and the oppressed were liberated. All of this left the people "spellbound".
Also, in today's Gospel, Jesus begins his battle with the "powers of darkness", which will be a central part of his mission. Here Jesus defeats Satan. He bids him to leave the man. In doing this, Jesus not only showed compassion for a troubled person, but he also announced the beginning of the messianic era and the Reign of God. The Gospel builds on the first reading; Jesus is seen as the prophet whom Moses spoke about. He is a prophet in word and in action. He is the living oracle of God. Mark used this story to teach and encourage his community 30 or 40 years later. They were experiencing "hostile voices" in their persecution by Jewish leaders and the Romans. If their lives are firmly rooted in Christ, they will be able to withstand the evil forces attacking them.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. What verse spoke to you most and why?
2. Do you think single people get neglected in our church? All the focus seems to be on family. What could your parish do to recognize the gifts of single people?
3. The church's policy of ordaining only male celibates appears to make maintaining a celibate priesthood more important than providing Eucharist for the thousands of communities that have no celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday. What are your thoughts on this issue?
4. Do you believe that unclean spirits inhabit people's lives today? If so, in what ways?
RESPONDING TO GOD'S WORD
Name one way you can act on today's readings. Suggestion: Be aware of how God wants to use you this week to be his messenger in the world.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION.
Pray for church leaders as they seek God's will concerning the shortage of priests today.