Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections

4th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B February 1, 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Deut 18,15-20 • Moses spoke to all the people, saying, 15 "A prophet like

me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen. 16 This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God, nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.' 17 And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him. 19 If any man will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it. 20 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.'

The focus is on the nature of a prophet.

1st Reading: Deut 18,15-20 Announcement of Moses • Moses spoke to all the people, saying,15 "A prophet like me will the

LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen.

Background – 16 This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb

on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God, nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.'

– 17 And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen,

– and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.

– 19 If any man will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.

Warning to a false prophet • 20 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.'

The text is re-indented for easier understanding.

1st Reading: Deut 18,15-20 Announcement • 15 "A prophet like me will the

LORD, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen.

Background • 16 This is exactly what you

requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb (Mt. Sinai) on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God, nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.'

• 17 And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen,

• and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.

• 19 If any man will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name, I myself will make him answer for it.

Commentary • In v.15, Moses announces that

God will raise up a prophet, like him.

• V.16 explains the reason why: it is the people’s request, they are afraid to hear God’s voice and see a fire (God’s manifestation) for fear of death (they are overwhelmed)

• V.17 is the response of God: He promises to raise a prophet.

• V.18 defines what a prophet is: the speaker of God, he will obediently speak on his behalf, not necessarily someone who predicts the future.

• V.19 is a warning to those who do not listen to the prophet.

1st Reading: Deut 18,15-20

Warning to a prophet • 20 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.'

• V.20 is, likewise, a warning, but to the prophet himself. He will be punished if he does not speak on behalf of God (if he misrepresents God ,or, if he speaks of other gods).

Reflections on the first reading • The prophet is someone, who is called to speak

on God’s behalf. • The prophet can be your friend, your priest, your

group, and your church. • If we think we are called to be prophets of our

times, we must make sure we are representing God.

• We must know the God’s will.

Resp. Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 • R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your

hearts. 1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

• 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. 7For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

• 7 Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works."

Resp. Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 • R. (8) If today you hear his voice,

harden not your hearts. 1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

• 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. 7For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

• 7 Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 "Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works."

Commentary • The psalm is classified as Royal

Psalm of Yahweh King. • Vv.1-2 invite worshippers to praise

God with the formulation, “Come, let us…”

• V.6 continues the invitation to worship God (let us bow down, let us kneel…)

• V.7 states the reasons why: – He is our God. – He shepherds his people / flock.

• Vv.7-9 present the challenge of God to the worshippers. – Hear his voice. V.7 – Harden not your hearts. V.8 – Don’t test God. V.9

Reflections on the Psalm • We, Christians, are enjoined to worship God,

singing joyful songs on bended knees. • We have a thousand reasons for doing so. • But when we approach God, we must be

disposed to listen to his voice. • We do not come to him justifying ourselves, by

hardening our hearts. • Otherwise, no conversion is possible.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 7,32-35 • 32 I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried

man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 33 But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 7,32-35 Paul argues for celibacy • 32 I should like you to be free of anxieties. Contrast between an unmarried and a married man • An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he

may please the Lord. 33 But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and he is divided.

Contrast between an unmarried and a married woman • An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the

Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

Paul argues for celibacy again 35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint

upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

A Simple Outline!

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 7,32-35 Paul argues for celibacy • 32 I should like you to be free of

anxieties. Contrast between an unmarried and

a married man • An unmarried man is anxious

about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 33 But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and he is divided.

Contrast between an unmarried and a married woman

• An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

Paul argues for celibacy again 35 I am telling you this for your own

benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

Commentary • Paul is sold out to the idea of celibacy. • He wants celibacy for practical purposes.

He cites the advantages of a celibate life: – Free of anxieties (v.32) – Anxious about things of the Lord (vv.32 and

34) – Propriety and adherence to the Lord without

distraction (v.35). • Paul is thinking of a whole hearted and

undivided service to the Lord and the community.

• That service is his work in the mission, which demands full time, prolonged absence from family, etc.

• Celibacy here was not yet imposed by the Church.

• Careful: We must not use the verses to denigrate / despise married life. Married life is also a vocation.

Reflections on the 2nd reading • Paul, as a missionary, favors celibacy as a state of life. • We know his purpose: for practical reasons, not because

married state is inferior. • As a Jew and Pharisee, Paul himself would get married.

It is the teaching of Judaism that a man should get married, raise children and teach them to follow the Torah.

• But here, Paul is willing to forgo marriage for the sake of mission work.

• Being single frees one from obligations and too much concern for one’s wife / husband or family, which usually slows down missionary work.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,21-28 • 21 Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath

he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

• 23 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 24 he cried out, "What have you to do with us, 2 Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!" 25 Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" 26 The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

• 27 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." 28 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

The focus of the reading is on the teaching authority of Jesus.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,21-28 Context of teaching • 21 Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the

synagogue and taught. 22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

A man possessed • 23 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 24 he cried

out, "What have you to do with us, 2 Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!"

Exorcism • 25 Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" 26 The

unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. People’s reaction • 27 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." 28 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

A simple outline!

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,21-28 Context of teaching • 21 Then they came to Capernaum, and

on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

A man possessed • 23 In their synagogue was a man with

an unclean spirit; 24 he cried out, "What have you to do with us, 2 Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!"

Exorcism • 25 Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet!

Come out of him!" 26 The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

People’s reaction • 27 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." 28 His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Commentary • V.21 situates where Jesus

teaches: – Capernaum, Sabbath and

synagogue • He teaches with authority (vv.22 and

27) • Two things happen in the

synagogue: – One, the quality of his teaching

(with authority) v.22 – Two, his authority over unclean

spirit (exorcism) (vv.23-26)

• These two are sources of amazement of the people in the synagogue. Vv.22 and 27

• V.28 expands the scope of Jesus’ fame: – Not only in Capernaum, but in the

whole of Galilee.

Reflections on the gospel reading • Like Jesus, we, teachers and preachers and ordinary

missionaries, must do our jobs with authority (confidence, with conviction).

• We cannot afford to be amateuristic and mediocre in our own fields.

• So many people are listening to us. • We don’t take them for granted. • We should amaze them with the power of our words,

which should be well thought of and lived. • Our sentences and paragraphs must be well constructed

(correct grammar and logical, with style) to give more meaning. Our deliveries must be well-rehearsed.

• The content of our teaching and preaching must be the power of God in our lives.

Tying the three readings and the Psalm

• The first reading is focused on the prophet, who communicates God’s word to the people.

• The psalm teaches us to approach God. • The second reading is focused on celibacy which

enhances missionary (prophetic) work. • The gospel reading presents Jesus as a teacher

(with authority). Being a teacher is being a prophet itself.

How to develop your homily / sharing

• Are there persons who are helping you become closer to God? – They may be your parish priest, spiritual director,

religious friends, the Pope, etc. • What makes you listen to them and take to heart

their words? – They speak with clarity, authority and conviction. – They are credible, practicing catholics.

• We should know whom to listen to. • The reading sets some criteria. • The first reading defines what a prophet is all

about: – He is raised (called) by God. – He speaks on behalf of God. – He does not teach about himself or about some other

god. • Take note, you, who are involved in New Age

Movements (occultism, sorcery, fortune tellers, Avatars, witchcrafts, etc.).

• The gospel reading teaches us to listen to Jesus.

• He is God’s beloved Son. • He is here to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He

asks us to repent and believe in the gospel. (Go back to his opening salvo. Mk 1,15)

• He speaks with authority. He has power in his words.

• He casts out evil spirits.

• The second reading tells us about missionary Paul, who is speaking out his mind.

• He is talking about how he should carry out his mission better.

• He wants to be free of the anxieties of a married man.

• He prefers celibacy. • For us, Christians, who may not be celibates, if

we want to share in the mission of Christ, we must be free of anxieties just the same.

• Anxiety affects mission work.

• By virtue of our baptism, we share in the mission of Christ.

• Like Christ, we must be credible and speak with authority and are able to exorcise evil in our society.

• In our churches, we need to train our teachers before fielding them: – Priests, preachers, deacons, catechists, exorcists

• The demand of our Church is not just knowledge of catechism and Bible, but lived sound theology.

– Sound theology includes understanding of ecclessiology, christology, eschatology, soteriology, mariology, sacramentology, liturgy, Bible, moral theology, canon law, pastoral theology, church history, dogma, Trinity, signs of the times, etc.

• We need to screen men, who want to become priests (teachers) but find it hard to understand the Catholic doctrine or theology. These people, if ordained but unprepared, will create confusion and wreak havoc in our churches.

• Too bad, not much budget is allotted for the seminary formation, training of formators, catechetical formation, and ongoing formations.

• We also need church ministers, who are not anxious of their future and their families, who have no personality disorders.

• Let us remember that our vocation is to advance God’s kingdom. – This is the purpose of our mission, apostolate,

teachings, healings, social work, etc.

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mk 1,15)

• The eucharist is the sacrament to help us advance God’s kingdom.

• The reception of the eucharist is a sign that God’s kingdom is at hand. It is a sign of conversion and acceptance of the gospel.

• The eucharist gives strength to the missionaries, who totally dedicate themselves to the interests of God’s kingdom.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

• False teachers • False prophets • Religious becoming more

clerical, not prophetic • Many wives • Many families • Tendentious teachings and

interpretations • Sermons that do not lead to

conversion • No logic • No context • New Age Movement

• Celibate • Single blessedness • Consecrated life • Prophetic religious • Well-prepared teachers • Trained formators • Practicing catholics • Catechists • Scholarship programs • Formators • Education ministry

Suggested Songs

• Holy, Holy – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=104r1805jL0

• Come With Me – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFcxr1uIRMk

• Come To Me – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID90ryPYU00

• Follow Christ