Sermon/Homily for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th January 2024

Sermon/Homily for 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th January 2024

Deuteronomy 18:15-20. Psalm 95:1-2,6-7abc,7d-9. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. Mark 1:21b-28.

Theme: Jesus, the Expected Prophet.

The first reading announces the coming of a prophet who will speak in the name of God. Moses from his deathbed foretold that God would raise up a prophet like him, and He would put his words in his mouth, and the prophet would speak on God's behalf. Here, the Catholic Church understood this person to be our Lord Jesus, who came at the fullness of time (cf.Heb.1:1).

The prophecy of Moses is fulfilled in today's Gospel in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. He doesn't communicate the word of God the way the rabbis used to; his message is new and proclaims it "with authority." Even the unclean spirit testified to his authority, saying, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24).

Jesus used his extraordinary authority to cast out the unclean spirit. And all who witnessed it were all amazed, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority, He commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (Mark 1:27).

The second reading presents an example of the "new doctrine": the new value attributed to virginity, which is lived for the love of and at the service of our brothers and sisters.

To those yet unmarried, St. Paul recommends a life of virginity only if they feel they can live that life in all fidelity. 

Who is a prophet? A prophet is one who speaks in the name of the Lord. To be a spokesperson of the Lord, one must be responsible, disciplined, forthright, and courageous so that when he receives the word, he goes straight to prophesy what the Lord wants prophesied.

This prophetic mission on every baptised Christian. Having been given this mission to prophesy, we are to be courageous, confident, and fearless in carrying out the prophetic mission given to us by God through his Church. As God's prophet, we are called to serve the Lord with undivided devotion to the Lord.

May God grant us the grace to be faithful to our prophetic mission through Christ our Lord. Amen.