Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 28, 2018
First Reading: Deuteronomy 18.15-20
15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.16For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die."17The LORD said to me: "What they say is good.18I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.19If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.20But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
Psalm 95
1Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.2Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.3For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.4In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.6Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;7for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,8do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert,9where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.10For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways."11So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7.32-35
32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord.33But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband.35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Gospel: Mark 1.21-28
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound insights into God's guidance and authority. The first reading from Deuteronomy introduces the concept of a prophet, a leader chosen by God to speak His words, fulfilling the people's request to avoid direct divine communication. This prophet is granted authority, with a warning against those who mislead. In 1 Corinthians, Paul discusses the merits of singleness and marriage, advising that singleness allows undivided focus on God, while marriage brings worldly concerns. He offers this guidance for their benefit, encouraging a life dedicated to worship.
The Gospel from Mark vividly illustrates Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophetic figure. Teaching with authority, unlike the scribes, Jesus demonstrates His power by casting out an unclean spirit, leaving the crowd in awe. This scene showcases Jesus's divine authority, embodying the prophet Moses foretold.
These readings intertwine to emphasize focusing on God's will. Deuteronomy's prophet is realized in Jesus, who teaches with divine authority. Paul's advice on singleness and marriage encourages prioritizing spiritual focus, aligning with Jesus's teachings. In our lives, we are called to trust in God's authority and guidance, whether through prophetic leaders or personal devotion. Let us seek to align our lives with God's will, trusting in His wisdom and authority to navigate our choices and challenges.