Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

In Mark’s gospel this Sunday we see people spellbound by Christ’s teachings because He taught with authority; we see demons obey His command because He was the Holy One of God.

Jesus speaks with full authority because it was given to Him by His Father.  He speaks nothing but the truth.  Through His words, He leads us to freedom.  He is the source of our fulfillment.  Jesus comes to teach us with full authority and power.

Pray that we may not harden our hearts and stifle His voice.  Pray that we may listen to His words and not to the lies of the false prophets of today.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

Jesus returns from the desert to proclaim the central message of His ministry: “The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

For centuries the Jewish people waited for a great king, The Messiah.  He would lead their nation to a glory surpassing the days of Solomon.  The words of the prophets would be fulfilled; a new age of justice and peace would unfold.  All this would happen when the Messiah came.

Jesus proclaims that someday is now.  The promises have been fulfilled;  the reign of God is beginning now.  “Repent,” He says, “and believe the good news.”

Jesus not only proclaims the good news, He is the good news.  Wherever He appears, evil and death flee like shadows before light.  People are overwhelmed by His power and authority; a tremendous excitement sweeps the countryside as crowds come to follow Him.

Amid all this excitement, Mark tells us about the call of his first disciples.  Mark places this event even before the first miracle.  It is a hint of a theme that will dominate his gospel:  the kingdom of God is not just miracles and wonders, but a call to abandon all else for the sake of Jesus Christ.  That is truly what it means to “Repent, and believe the good news.”

As Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, He offered them the opportunity to be part of this Kingdom of God.  He called them to offer their lives for the work of bringing God’s plan for the world to completion.  Their response was immediate, selfless and total.

We have also been called by Jesus to follow Him.  We are called to make a decision, to accept His invitation to leave behind our old lives, to be taught by Jesus, and to participate in bringing God’s reign to fulfillment. How blessed we are to be called by Jesus.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

A change in name occurs sometimes in Scripture and today’s gospel gives us a classic example.  After Andrew gets acquainted with Jesus, he brings his brother, Simon to the Lord.  Jesus looks at Simon and says: “You are Simon, son of John.  Your name shall be Cephas (which means Peter).”

Later we learn that Peter means rock, and that it is upon this rock that Jesus will build His Church.  Thus Simon is given the new name Peter to signify his role as the rock of Christ’s foundation of the Church.

To the ancient mind, one’s name was synonymous with one’s character and personality.  Names were carefully chosen because they signified the ideals a person was to live by and the destiny he or she was to pursue.

Changing Simon’s name is Jesus’ way of affirming his faith in Peter as His chief apostle, even though He knew that Peter would one day deny Him.

The new name Peter bore would be a constant challenge to him to live up to its meaning and truly become a rock on whom others could lean and depend in times of crisis.

While having a Christian first name is important, it is more important that God formed us and calls us by name to be His; that Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends, that our names are written in the Book of Life.

If we remember these things about our name, then we will realize better our dignity as disciples, give more direction to our lives and attain our destiny as saints.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell