Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

DT 18:15-20 1COR 7:32-35 MK 1:21-78

Scripture

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another,

Prophets of Our Past Proclaiming Liberty, Justice, Freedom

• Moses led the Chosen People out of Egypt
• Abraham Lincoln proclaiming freedom to the slaves
• Susan B. Anthony led the movement for women’s right to vote
• Dorothy Day founding the Catholic Worker Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr. led the Civil Rights Movement

First Reading – Moses Speaks to the People

• “You are to become a prophet-a voice for God.”

The Call of Our Baptism

• We are anointed priest, prophet, king
• We are called to be the voice of God
• Love is our message because it is the Gospel message,

When Love Prevails

• It is difficult to harbor anger, resentment, and hostility
• Living in love we can make the our corner of the world better

Knowing the Gospel a Must

• Knowing the Gospel is knowing Jesus
• Knowing Jesus is having a relationship with Him
• Relationship is built on prayer, sacraments and service

Do We Recognize Jesus-The Holy One of God?

• Do we believe that Jesus can free us from our pride, ego and selfishness?
• Do our distractions, anxieties; worries keep us from seeing Jesus?
• Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us to not worry about earthly things
• We need to keep our focus on God

Devotional-Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Today – Jesus – The Eucharist

Let us live our baptismal call and become prophets

• Let’s share the Gospel of Love
• Let us proclaim hope, healing, peace
• Let us build unity, peace, justice and equality with each other
• We are called

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Readings and/or homily?
• Who is one of your most impactful prophets? Why?
• Is it difficult to see yourself as a prophet? Why or why not?
• How do you keep your focus on Jesus in the midst of worry and anxiety?

Live Connected

• Thinking about your own story, name several ways that you have been a prophet of hope, healing, peace in your family, with your friends or in your neighborhood.  Make a commitment this week to be a prophet in a circumstance where you are needed.