Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalms 94(95); 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 Mark 1:21-28
God’s Way
My dear friends, today is the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time year B. In today’s readings, the theme that cuts across is God’s way of doing things and our response to this way. God is always close and available to intervene in our lives, but we must be present close to him and allow him to do so. What can we compare the beauty of being close to God with? It is like a beautiful place that we hear of and may have even seen in its photos. If we want to experience that beauty firsthand, we must be present there. If we only visit for a few hours or a few days and go back, that beauty will only remain in our memory. Many people are baptized but they do not really experience fully God’s the beauty of God’s presence because they left the presence of God just after baptism. Attending Church on Sundays and giving offertory does not always mean being present in the kingdom of God. Listening to God’s word and letting it influence and transform our lives is being present in the kingdom of God. Are you present or absent in the kingdom of God?
In the first reading today, the people of Israel are worried about the future since Moses, who had led them for a long time across the desert was getting old and they had not yet crossed over to the promised land. Moses is consoling the people that God would raise another prophet like him to lead them. When God called him to lead the people of Israel from Egypt, Moses was not only a fugitive but also impaired in speech, he was a stammerer. He did not think he could do the job that God was sending him to do (Ex 4:1-18). But Moses remained in the presence of God and thus succeeded in his mission. Are you experiencing failure in your life? Check the distance you have left between you and God.
Sometimes when we climb the ladder in society and are at the top, we are tempted to think that we will remain there forever or are irreplaceable. We have seen how some leaders implore crooked ways to remain in power. In our own small or big positions, we also tend to abuse the powers invested in us and are not ready to hand them over to others. What we forget is that even if we cling to power, there will come a day when our perishable bodies do not yield anymore. Moses was different and knowing that he was getting incapacitated because of his old age, he prepared Joshua to take the leadership after him. What is my attitude towards positions of leadership?
A prophet is God’s spokesperson. The word that comes from his or her mouth must always be the word of God. If the prophet gets corrupted and starts speaking his own word, or those of his or her friends, God tells Moses that, this one will not remain in his position. We know many people who began their leadership tenure very well but somewhere in between they forgot their selfish interests encroach. Such end up being rejected by God like King Saul. Once God withdraws his favor from us, everything falls apart. It is much easier to get into a high position and with noble intentions to serve than to remain faithful to the course. What do you think?
The psalmist reminds us not to harden our hearts at the voice of God. God is always taking care of us since we belong to him. However, sometimes we stray from him or harden our hearts at his words. We respond very promptly to the world’s urges but do not take time even to discover what God is asking of us. We only seek God when we have problems and other remedies have failed. Other times, we give all sorts of excuses because we fail to honor the obligations of our faith.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul advises us on what to do if we want to maintain our undivided commitment to God. There are two major vocations in which we serve God. As a married person whose core mission is to please God in the family, or as a single consecrated person whose core mission is being the herald of God’s love to others. Paul gives his opinion about both vocations but of course, emphasizes the choice he opted for himself. He says that those who remain single dedicate all their time and personal resources to the service of God while those who get married have divided desire, that is to please God and their partner. Whatever one feels called to, the bottom line is that we need to be aware of what is the correct and godly way of living it.
In the Gospel reading, we hear how Jesus went about healing people and casting out the demons. The demons knew who Jesus was and were afraid of him because his presence meant doom for them. Jesus has the authority to cast away all demons in us if we implore his help. The people were amazed because the authority of Jesus over the demons was evident. He did not have to shout 1,001 times or plead with the demons to get out as the modern prophets do on the streets and marketplaces. Shouting and stage-managed miracles have made healing and casting out demons one of the most lucrative businesses and many have invested heavily in it. I know people who are not preachers but have invested in “miracle centers” where they are higher self-proclaimed prophets and healers. These centers collect huge sums of money from many broken and confused people. Interestingly, the majority of those who seek these services are women and the majority of those who cast out demons are men.
My dear friends, we are all called to a certain vocation and purpose in this world. My favourite author the late Myles Monroe says that the greatest thing one can discover in this world is his or her purpose. We can only know this if we remain close and in communion with our maker and allow him to direct us. Have you discovered your purpose in this world?
Have a blessed Sunday,
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 