Sunday Homily, February 1, 2015, 4th Ordinary Time, B cycle
Readings:
Deuteronomy 18, 15-20, Moses spoke to all the people.
Psalm 95, If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
1 Corinthians 7, 32-35, A married man is anxious about the things of the world.
Mark 1, 21-28, In the synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit.
Introduction
In our reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the Israelites about the coming of the Prophet, the Messiah, who is the Word of God. Our Responsorial Psalm states, ‘let us come into his presence to show our gratitude,’ for God will shepherd his people by feeding and guiding his flock. The expectation of these readings is realized in today’s reading from Mark.
Our second reading is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians on another subject altogether. It is a good example of why one should always seek first to understand the context in which the text has been placed.
Homily with Mike:
Today’s reading from Mark needs to be understood in the context of where it was placed in the gospel. John the Baptist has just told the people that he is baptizing in water; but when the Messiah comes he will baptize you in living waters; his words that pour forth the Holy Spirit.
So, Jesus comes to Galilee and these are his first words: ‘The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the good news.’
‘The time is fulfilled,’ means that John the Baptist has fulfilled his purpose to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah who will baptize with the Spirit. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand;’ the Messiah, the light of the world, is in their very midst to enlighten those who are in darkness.
The word repent, metanoia, means to have a change of heart, a spiritual conversion. ‘Believe in the good news,’ is an invitation to welcome and live the good news that the Father has sent his Word to redeem us, his only begotten Son. So, Jesus enters the synagogue on the Sabbath.
Why did he do this? He would teach how and why his good news would fulfill that day’s reading from the Law and/or Prophets. As Jesus began to teach, the Holy Spirit flows forth from his words into the heart of a man who had been in darkness. The man’s unclean spirit cries out, ‘I know who you are; the holy one of God.’ Jesus says, ‘Come out of him. Those present are amazed, ‘his words are spoken with authority not like those of the scribes.’ The man’s unclean spirit flees from the presence of the Holy Spirit, just as darkness always flees from the light.
Just before Christmas, Francis gave a spirited last minute Advent teaching to his Curia calling them to have a change of heart, a spiritual conversion from their complacency, petty squabbling, favoritism and gossiping.
To make his intention completely clear, he prefaced each teaching with a selection from the spoken Word of God. The News releases informed us that a number of the higher ranking members of the Curia felt Francis was out of order for doing this. The mere fact that some thought they were higher ranking members is reason enough for Francis to chastise them.
Christ taught his disciples to put themselves last and the people they were to serve first. Don’t follow the hypocrisy of the Scribes who love their gold rings, the clothes they wear, the huge homes they live in, their praying in public places to seek attention, choosing the best seats at banquets…How did things get so out of order for the scribes?
Think about today’s reading from First Corinthians Chapter 7, Paul sets the stage by teaching what is from the Lord, the sacred bond of marriage. He then says that what he is going to talk about, celibacy, is not from the Lord; it’s from his experience, saying that it was a gift to him; that everyone doesn’t have this gift; there are many gifts.
However, the readings that we are given, like the one today, that come from Paul, not the Lord, have been understood by the Magisterium to be saying that celibacy is a higher spiritual gift than that of marriage. Not so!
But we have brought it hook, line and sinker. When a priest celebrates Mass he recognizes himself as Christ. We should celebrate that recognition! What we have forgotten is this: in marriage when a husband and wife seek to have a child, they too are making Christ alive to one another and to the World.
When they coach a child in some sport, or teach a child how to say grace before a meal, they too are being Christ to one another and to the world. Don’t sell yourself short. God has no favorites! Recognize who you are called to be; the Body of Christ in the world during this week. Being a celibate priest is not a higher spirit gift than being a husband or wife or—a child or a student—or whatever gift it is that you have been given to be.