Meditation for the 4th
Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor
7:32-35; Mk 1-21-28)
We are easily swayed by the loudest
voices! The popular and trending ideas are usually those that dominate the air
wave. In our society today, even in the church, you only need to be bold and
loud to have your way, and aggressively sell your point. Often times, those who
fly on these wings have less truth in their content. So, evil and negativity often
push their way to dominate the narratives. Think about the loudest voices we
hear today about human relationships, family, wealth, politics, etc. The silent
and powerful voice of TRUTH is the only nightmare these ‘noises’ do not want
around them.
THE PROPHET
Therefore, we need the true prophet, who cannot be taken over by the loud voice of
lies and deceit, and who in turn will declare the word of God. A prophet speaks
the truth. He is aware of himself as chosen by God to do so. He speaks with his
words and actions, such that his life stands out to silence the loud voice of
deceit. In the first reading, God promised to raise a prophet for His people.
AVAILABILITY
The prophetic gift of God, which is fulfilled in
Christ Jesus (Mt 5:17), is given to the faithful through baptism (CCC 904-907).
This participation in Christ’s prophetic office can be fulfilled through
evangelization and the testimony of a holy life. In this way, the light of
truth will continue to dispel the darkness of negativity and deceit. Thus,
there is no need for us to be anxious or afraid; what is required of us is to
make ourselves available for the grace of our baptism to flow! Hence, the
second reading emphasizes on our undivided devotion to the Lord, which we are
called to do through our different states of life: the married, through the
obligations of their marriage, and the single, through their undivided
commitment to the affairs of the Lord.
In the Gospel, the teaching of Jesus
impressed the people, “For He taught them as one who had authority, and not as
the scribes.” The teaching of the scribes was like a reported speech. But Jesus
‘owned’ the word; the authority of the word of God is in Him. Imagine the great
influence of Jesus, and how the people were caught up in His mighty power!
Before this could sink in their hearts, the evil spirit in the possessed man
began to cry out. He tried to distract them, and divert attention to himself by
positioning himself as one who 'knows' Jesus, and who, therefore, would have to ‘approve’
Him for the people. Notice that the evil spirit yielded like the spokesman for
the good of the people. Evil and negativity, with all their noise, always seek
attention and to dominate the ‘narrative.’
“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’” And all the noise disappeared. The cool breeze of truth spread across. After this, the people were more amazed at the authority of Jesus. Thus, if we make ourselves available to Jesus, maintain our undivided devotion to Him, every mountain of deceit before us will crumble; the empty noise of negativity and evil shall be silenced. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday January 31st, 2021.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
