January 31: 

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Moses promised our spiritual ancestors a prophet from their own kin. He repeated that promise twice in three sentences. His repetition emphasizes the importance of this prophet. A prophet challenges the comfortable and comforts the afflicted; a prophet is a spokesperson for God pointing out what is right and wrong and what needs doing. A prophet brings God’s message. Can we pray to open our hearts and our ears to God’s message from whomever and wherever God sends to us?

Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9 This psalm asks us not to harden our hearts. We may think that is not an issue for us but think about it, ask God about it. Are we hardening our hearts if we don’t forgive, don’t give a chance to someone who pleads repentance and reform? Are we hardening our hearts if we refuse to respect and adhere to health precautions and care for God’s creation? Are we hardening our hearts against refugees, immigrants, and minimum wage worker’s need for enough money to cover the costs of basic necessities? Are we hardening our hearts against landlords, employers or policymakers for not addressing the needs of the common good?

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 This passage makes a strong point by exaggeration. The point of this reading for each of us, whether married or single, is to listen to God so intently that we do God’s will in our words and actions. All are called to holiness in mind, body, and spirit. No one's efforts bring them to perfection but all are blessed in our efforts to discern God’s will. Both married and single women and men, in and out of the monastery, rectory, and convent are all tempted by many distractions but God gifts us all to adhere to Jesus.

Mark 1:21-28 While Jesus was speaking “with authority” in the synagogue, some people were astonished and one person cried out in fear that Jesus would destroy him. Could he have been frightened that Jesus would expose corruption and make them change their ways? Mark says Jesus ordered the unclean spirit out of the man. Another time Jesus drove seven demons out of Mary Magdalen (Luke 8:1-3). Later, after rising from the dead, Jesus honored Mary Magdalen when he appeared to her before he appeared to anyone else (John 20:11-19). We’ve learned that biblical “unclean spirits” and “seven demons” may have been illnesses such as depression or personality disorders; they could be addictions or acute or chronic reactions to betrayal or loss. What are the evil spirits that hold us back from spreading Jesus’ love where it is most needed? Can we ask for Jesus’ healing? Jesus profoundly trusted Mary Magdalen to take his message to the apostles. Can we believe in our mentally ill neighbor’s ability to heal; can we rehabilitate instead of punishing? Can we encourage and support and listen and love one another into healing? Can we insist that human decency and public safety depend on well-trained response and follow up therapy? Mental health professionals have years of training to learn appropriate responses to various mental health emergencies. Let’s pray that they are forever gifted with the Holy Spirit to heal. And let’s pray for our own authentic guidance through the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,
Dr. Deni Mack, Pastoral Associate Emerita