Readings- I : Deut 18: 15-20
II : 1Cor 7: 32-35
Gospel : Mk 1: 21-2
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus!
Jesus is a paradox. His approach is always different. Being God He took human form; He was a healing balm to the sinners and the tax collectors but to the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes He was dangerous firebrand. The life story of Jesus shows he was a teacher with a difference. He spoke in such a way that educated people were not disappointed with his lack of depth and the uneducated were not isolated by his bombastic, flowery words and abstract ideas. Rather, his listeners were astonished with his sagacity (wisdom), because he spoke with a charismatic authority, which held his listeners spellbound (Mark 2:22).
Jesus did not speak like the scribes. The scribes spoke extensively about the letter of the law and rituals, but Jesus’ words were more profound because they dwelt on the spirit of the law and the Gospel of love and salvation. He was not just an ordinary public speaker or master of rhetoric, but His words had depth and so he still invites his followers to a depth of the riches, wisdom and knowledge of God (Romans 1:33). His words were amazing and full of power and with these words he inspired radical change of hearts, with these words he brought healing and with these powerful words he cast out and expelled demons. His words just made a deep impression on his listeners, because they are spirit and life (John 6:63). Jesus is the model teacher as he speaks to his followers saying “Learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). He was different from the scribes because he was authentic and he lived what he preached. He talked the talk and walked the walk.
Long time ago, Moses prophesied about a great and final prophet (eschatological prophet) who would come and speak on God’s behalf (mediator of God’s word). He will speak with Divine authority and “I will put my words into his mouth,” says the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:18). This prophecy is fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. He confirmed this fact in speech, “I have not spoken on my own authority. My Father commanded me what I should say” (John 8:28).
The first reading today, from the Book of Deuteronomy, is really strong. God’s people have told God Himself that they do not want to hear His voice directly! So God tells them that they will hear him now only through prophets. But real prophets, not the fake ones.
We may think that there is something odd in not wanting to hear God, but so often we ourselves do not want to hear God in His Word, in His Scriptures and in His Church. Yet at times, if a really strong and charismatic personality comes and is able to preach the Word of God, there are times when we listen. We are no different from the people of the time of Moses! We need prophets when we don’t listen to God. We need also to listen to God’s words about false prophets—for they will die!
The second reading is from the First Letter to the Corinthians. We are told that the unmarried person is able to be more concerned to listen to the Lord and to seek the Lord’s will. This does not mean such an unmarried person is better than a married person or even that such an unmarried person will actually be more concerned about the things of the Lord. Our holiness and our value before the Lord is in doing the Lord’s will and surely many married people are more concerned about the Lord than some unmarried. On the other hand, it is clear that an unmarried person who truly seeks the Lord is able to be more concerned solely about the things of the Lord because of the lack of spouse and children. The point, however, is always the same: listen to the Lord!
The Gospel brings us back again to this them of listening to the Lord. The people in the Gospel are totally amazed at Jesus and his power over unclean spirits. They could see that Jesus spoke as a person having authority on His own. But did the people of the Gospel follow the Lord? Not always! Even when the Word of God is right in front of us, we are still able to resist. God has given us this freedom to choose and so often we choose against God and thus also against ourselves. May all of us open our hearts and minds to the words of Jesus with authority – Amen.
Fr. Sebastian Raj SMM