FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME , YEAR B

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Psalm 94:1-2.6-9

1Corinthians 7:32-35

Mark 1:21-28

THE MOUTHPIECE OF GOD

God never ceases to speak to his people. He always chooses intermediaries through whom he makes his will and word known to man. In the first reading, He promised that he would raise a prophet like onto Moses to the people of Israel. Such prophet would be his mouthpiece. As such, the people must listen to him, just as they would listen to God Himself (Deut. 18:15-20). It is of no wonder that the psalmist says: “O that today you would listen to his voice, harden not your hearts.”

In the gospel pericope, the evangelist Mark presents Jesus as one who taught the people with authority and not like the scribes. His words were powerful and efficacious; they made deep impression on his listeners. The authority of his new teaching was manifest in his miracles; even the unclean spirits obeyed his word (Mark 1:21-28).

In fact, Jesus Christ remains the great prophet of all times. Nevertheless, he has given the authority to the Church to teach all nations. In this respect, two implications are worth noting. First, those who exercise the teaching authority in the Church must avoid the temptation of preaching themselves or teaching something contrary to God’s Word. Boldness in preaching the truth that liberates man and fidelity to God’s Word must be the hallmark of all their pronouncements and teachings.

Second, as believers, we are called to listen to those who speak to us in the name of God, for because they represent the Lord himself. They are God’s mouthpiece in our midst. It is our duty therefore to show obedience and respect to them. But we must also discern when they speak authoritatively in the name of the Lord, and when they express their own opinions on some issues, like in the case of Paul’s advice on marriage (1Co. 7:32-35).

In this perspective, let’s ask ourselves: how do we pay attention to the teachings of the Pope, our bishops and priests? How do we react when bishops and priests intervene in some socio-political issues? Let’s remember what Jesus said: “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the One who sent me” (Luke 10:16).

May the Lord give us a listening ear and a docile heart towards his Word that heals and sets us free. Amen