Home Bible 1 Corinthians CATHOLIC MASS: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2.1.15 – TV Video, Links, Scripture

CATHOLIC MASS: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2.1.15 – TV Video, Links, Scripture

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Bible-200“… on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at His Teaching,
for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. … All were amazed and asked one another,
‘What is this? A New Teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.’
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.”

 

Mass Readings 2.1.15 – FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 – PSALM 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 – SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 – GOSPEL: Mark 1:21-28 – Find a Mass: MassTimes.org – Find a Mass: TheCatholicDirectory.com

 

 

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GOSPEL

GOSPEL: Mark 1:21-28

In the synagogue of Capernaum, Jesus Teaches with Authority, the people observe. He also casts out a demon from a possessed man.

… on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at His Teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

When Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit, the demon openly  admits who Christ is. Jesus rebukes it and orders it to leave the man.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’ Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Quiet! Come out of him!’ The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

The people are amazed at Jesus’ speaking with authority and His Power to expel demons.

All were amazed and asked one another, ‘What is this? A New Teaching with Authority. He Commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.’ His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

We are reminded to obey God’s Authority, and that no evil we face can stand before the Power of God.

It also is interesting to note that evil entities are naturally fully aware of God’s existence and Power and freely admit it. In cases where human evildoers try to deny the Existence of God, or argue against the relevance of God’s Law, any evil entities ultimately at the root of the human wrongdoing would themselves, ironically, have no choice but to admit the Reality of God and His Omnipotence.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9

If today you hear His Voice, harden not your hearts.

FIRST READING

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Moses tells the Israelites that a prophet like himself will be raised up from among them.

He reminds them how they grew fearful at their direct encounter with God at Mount Horeb, and asked to be spared the shock of directly hearing God’s Mighty Voice or seeing the fires raised up by His Presence.

… the LORD said to me, ‘… I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.

We are to follow God’s Words.

At the same time, God warns that a prophet should not presume to speak in God’s Name something which God has not commanded him to speak.

‘… But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.'”

SECOND READING

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Saint Paul cautions us to take care not to allow distraction or anxiety to divert us from adherence to God.

He particularly notes the potential for married people to be occupied with earthly concerns due to their state in life.

Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties.
*** … for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

Of course, in the current age, single life carries its own distractions and concern for earthly matters. And married life can help bring stability and security when cooperating as a family to address earthly concerns while maintaining a proper focus on God.

Yet Paul’s caveats should serve as a reminder of the importance that marriage be a Holy and Sacramental marriage between nurturing spouses devoted to helping each other grow in the Faith and seek God, Sanctity and Eternal Life.

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