Daily Readings - Sun Jan 31 2021
Deuteronomy
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."
1 Corinthians
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.
Mark
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of authority, focus, and the call to follow God wholeheartedly. In the first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses speaks of a prophet who will arise from among the people, one who will speak God’s words with authority. This prophet is not just a figure of the past; for Christians, this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who teaches with divine authority as we see in the Gospel. The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that our primary focus should be on God, whether we are married or unmarried. St. Paul emphasizes that our ultimate goal is to please God and live without hindrance to worship Him.
In the Gospel, Mark portrays Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophet promised in Deuteronomy. Jesus teaches in the synagogue with authority, not like the scribes who relied on human traditions. When He encounters the man with an unclean spirit, His authority is demonstrated powerfully as He commands the spirit to leave. The people are amazed, recognizing that Jesus’ teaching and actions are unlike anything they have seen before. This scene reminds us that Jesus is not just a teacher but the Holy One of God, who has the power to transform lives.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we listening to Jesus with the same openness and trust that the people in Capernaum showed? Do we allow His teaching to guide us, or are we distracted by the concerns of the world? Like the unmarried woman in St. Paul’s letter, we are called to be holy in body and spirit, focusing on what truly matters. Let us ask ourselves: Where are we placing our attention and priorities? Are we seeking to please God, or are we divided by worldly cares? Jesus’ authority and power are still at work in our lives today. Let us surrender to His will, trusting that He will guide us and free us from anything that hinders our relationship with Him.