First Reading (Dt 18:15-20)
Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy:
Moses spoke to the people, saying, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: ‘If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.’
Then the Lord replied to me: ‘They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.'”
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Second Reading (1Cor 7:32-35)
Reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians:
Brothers and sisters, I wish that you were free from concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. Similarly, an unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Announcement of the Gospel (Mark 1:21-28)
— The Lord be with you.
— He is in our midst.
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
In the city of Capernaum, on a Sabbath day, Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach.
Everyone was amazed at his teaching because he taught with authority, not like the teachers of the law.
In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by an evil spirit. He cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”
Then the evil spirit shook the man violently, gave a loud cry, and came out. Everyone was amazed, and they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority: He even commands the evil spirits, and they obey him!” And the fame of Jesus quickly spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may the peace of the Lord be with you. Today, we are called to gather as a community, as a spiritual family, to reflect upon the Sacred Scriptures that have been proclaimed before us. May the Word of God penetrate our hearts and illuminate our minds, guiding us on the path of truth and love.
I would like to begin our reflection with a thought that I am sure resonates with many of us on this journey of life. How often do we find ourselves lost amidst the demands of daily life, seeking answers to the complexities that unfold before us? It is almost as if we are in a turbulent sea, battling the waves of uncertainty and confusion.
Imagine, for a moment, a drifting boat facing unpredictable storms. In those moments of distress, who doesn’t long for a guide, for a secure beacon pointing the right way? Well, our First Reading, taken from the Book of Deuteronomy (Dt 18:15-20), presents a divine promise of hope amid the storms of life.
The Lord our God, in His infinite wisdom, speaks through the prophet Moses: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” This is a promise of a guide, a leader, an awaited prophet who would come to lead us through the storms of the sea of life.
In the history of humanity, this prophet reveals himself as Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Just as Moses led the people through the wilderness, Jesus guides us on our earthly journey. He is the light that dispels darkness, the beacon that directs our path.
Now we move to the Second Reading, taken from the First Letter to the Corinthians (1Cor 7:32-35). Paul, the apostle, calls us to reflect on the true freedom found in total surrender to God. He reminds us that the unmarried person is concerned about the things of the Lord, seeking to please God in both body and spirit.
These words are not a devaluation of marriage but an invitation to reflect on the priority we give to temporal things over eternal ones. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with messages encouraging us to seek happiness in fleeting pleasures, Paul invites us to look to the true source of joy and freedom.
Picture a bird that, upon recognizing the beauty of the open sky, decides to leave behind the cages tying it to the earth. Similarly, we are invited to break free from worldly bonds and soar toward the freedom found in total surrender to God.
Now we arrive at the Gospel of Mark (Mk 1:21-28), where we witness the transformative power of Jesus’ Word. Upon entering the synagogue, He not only teaches with authority but also confronts an unclean spirit. It is crucial to note that, upon hearing Jesus’ Word, evil is forced to manifest and leave that place.
Imagine a garden where flowers bloom as the sunlight touches them. Similarly, the presence of Jesus illuminates the darkest areas of our lives, driving away the shadows of sin and despair. If we allow the Word of Jesus to penetrate our hearts, it has the power to transform, heal, and restore.
Dear brothers and sisters, faced with these biblical passages, we are challenged to reflect on how we have responded to the call of the awaited prophet, how we have lived true freedom in surrender to God, and how we have allowed the Word of Jesus to transform our lives.
In this process of reflection, it is crucial to incorporate moments of silence. Just as music requires pauses to create harmony, our spiritual lives need moments of stillness to hear the gentle and receptive voice of God. Silence is not merely the absence of words but the presence of deep and receptive listening.
Picture yourself again in the drifting boat. Now, visualize a distant lighthouse shining brightly, indicating the safe harbor. This lighthouse represents the Word of God, guiding us through the storms. However, it is not enough to admire the lighthouse from a distance; we must follow its light.
Similarly, we cannot merely hear the Word of God; we must act according to its teachings. Jesus exhorts us to be not only hearers but doers of His Word (Mt 7:24). Just as the lighthouse guides the way for sailors, the Word of God illuminates our path in the journey of life.
Paul invites us to find true freedom in total surrender to God. In a world that often complicates the meaning of freedom, it is found in the simplicity of entrusting our lives to the heavenly Father. It is as if we are lifting burdens off our shoulders, allowing God to guide our steps.
Picture a child who, trusting in the loving arms of their parents, feels free to explore the world. Likewise, by trusting in God, we find authentic freedom to live fully, knowing that we are secure in His love.
In the Gospel, we witness the power of Jesus confronting evil. The unclean spirit cannot remain in the presence of the Lord. This reminds us of the importance of allowing the light of Christ to penetrate our lives and drive away the darkness of sin.
Imagine a dark room flooded with light, revealing its true beauty and eliminating any shadows. Similarly, by allowing Jesus into our lives, we experience the transformation that only He can bring.
Now, in light of these reflections, we are challenged to take action. We cannot remain passive in the face of the truths revealed in the Scriptures. We must take flight to freedom in God, like the bird leaving behind earthly cages.
May each of us, as we leave this church, carry with us the certainty that we are being guided by the awaited prophet, finding true freedom in surrender to God, and allowing the Word of Jesus to transform every aspect of our existence.
In conclusion, dear brothers and sisters, let us always remember the divine grace, love, and hope revealed to us in the Sacred Scriptures. May this encounter with the Word of God not be merely a passing event but an experience that transforms our lives enduringly.
As we leave this church, may we be like beacons illuminating the path for those still searching. May our lives become a living testimony of the true freedom found in surrender to God. May we, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, confront the darkness around us, allowing the light of Christ to shine through us.
Let us pray, at this moment, for divine guidance and grace to live according to the teachings of the Scriptures. May the Lord grant us the strength and perseverance needed to soar to freedom in God, trusting in His love and allowing His Word to transform our lives.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever. Amen.