4th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Español) (Vietnamese)

Our commentary this week is provided by Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of San Diego. For a PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Prayer

Father in Heaven, as your Spirit of Truth, Love, and Mercy

sent your Son on Mission, we are called and sent by the

same Spirit to carry on the mission of Jesus Christ. Help us

not to fear our calling but celebrate our share in the

proclamation of the Good News. Amen.

Commentary

1st Reading: DT 18:15-20

Over the last two weeks, we have focused on

our common call to embrace the Mission of

Christ who is Prophet, Priest, and King. This

week, we will answer the question: Of “WHAT”

is Jesus a Prophet, Priest, and King?

As we have been praying (see above), the Spirit of God had

sent Jesus on Mission. The Spirit of Truth, Love, and Mercy

sends Jesus to be the Prophet of Truth, the Priest of Love, and

the King of Mercy.

Unlike any other prophet, Jesus is Prophet par excellence! For,

if God is the ultimate Truth and Jesus is God, then Jesus is

both Prophet of Truth and Truth Himself.

Thus, as we read in Deuteronomy, Moses speaks of a prophet

like himself who will be raised from among his kin and we are

to “listen to him.”

We will read later in the Gospel of Mark (9:7) about Jesus

standing between Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration.

There we will hear God say about Jesus, “This is my beloved

Son. Listen to him!” Jesus, who is God and Truth, stands

above all prophets.

Question

Is Jesus a way to the Truth for you? Or is He Truth for you?

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 7:32-35

Taking up where we had been last week, St. Paul continues

to call his readers to a spirit of abandonment.

We reflected on Jesus as the Priest of Love who abandoned

His own life for us out of love so that we might live with

Him in love forever.

Our Second Reading today speaks of a

love that is found within marriage. The

love of man and wife is a profound love;

complete with anxieties and sacrifices.

In a spirit of abandonment, St. Paul invites

his readers to consider placing the truest

Love of our life - God - above all other

loves; even above the love that is found in such a worthy

institution as marriage.

This is not to say that celibacy (priesthood or religious life)

is the answer. Rather, St. Paul is challenging us to “think

outside of the box,” and consider truly living a sacrificial

love - in the manner of Jesus the Priest and Victim - who

gave everything to God and to us without holding back.

Question

How is Jesus, the Priest of Love, calling you to a sacrificial

life of love?

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

A great deal of this Year’s Gospel Readings will come from

the Mark. Back in Advent, we were already introduced to

Mark’s Gospel as we reflected on John the Baptist. John

the Baptist, as you recall spoke of one

who was to come (Mk 1:1-8). After

John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan (Mk

1:9-13), Jesus does not speak of one

who is to come. Rather, he speaks of a

“Kingdom that is at hand.”

As the Gospel of Mark unfolds, we

will see how the “Kingdom of God is

at hand.” More importantly, we will

see that Jesus is the Messiah (the

King) and that His Kingdom is already

in the midst of his people (Mk 12:34).

Indeed! Jesus is the fulfillment of the

Kingdom of God. Unlike John the

Baptist, he does not speak of one who

is to come. He does not point to

another future leader. He is the King

- the long awaited Messiah.

Reflecting on our call to be prophetic, and priestly people

in the manner of Christ, we are also called to share in His

Kingly mission. As the Gospel of Mark unfolds this year,

see how Jesus’ Kingship is made manifest through his

miracles, forgiveness, and charity.

As Christians, sharing in his Kingly Mission, we are called

to dispense the graces of his Kingdom through acts of

forgiveness and charity as well.

Question

How do you dispense and administer mercy and forgiveness

as a member of the royal household of God?

The group prays the following:

Spirit of Truth,

speak to me.

Spirit of Love,

abide in me.

Spirit of Mercy,

heal me.

Jesus,

Let me be your Voice of Truth.

Let me be your Heart of Love.

Let me be your Hands of Mercy.

The prayer continues with Psalm 95

Response: If today you hear his voice,

harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;

let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

they tested me though they had seen my works.”

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Conclude with an Our Father