Tag: discipleship

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Be Healed!

picture of two angry couples sitting on a coach

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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

Reading 1: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Responsorial: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021421.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

My brothers and sisters, have we got a lot to talk about today on deacon rudy’s notes where every weekend we break open the Word. Not only do we hear Good News in the readings for this weekend, but this Sunday is also the World Day of Marriage and Ash Wednesday is on the 17th! Never a dull moment! Let’s get to it!

In this weekend’s Gospel, a leper approaches Jesus. Now, in Jesus’ time, that was a big deal! As we heard in our first reading from Leviticus, Moses prescribed some pretty tight rules around people who were sick for the sake of the common good. Now, a year or so ago, I might have looked at what Moses said and thought to myself, “That’s a bit extreme.” Of course, now, as the world slogs its way through the pandemic, we might have a better appreciation for restrictions and inconvenience we bear for the greater good. And we’ve affirmed what doctors and scientists already knew, that staying home or keep our distance as we venture out, are the surest ways to limit the spread of illness.

So, the lepers had to set up camp apart from the community and had to be identified in the most embarrassing way when they approached. The leper was supposed to call out “Unclean, unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45) so that everybody knew he was coming.

Now, fast-forward to Jesus’ time. A leper not only approaches Jesus without calling out, but he dares to reach out to Jesus. What he was doing probably shocked everyone around. And the leper threatened to infect Jesus.

But the leper says to Jesus, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Wow! We can hear this guy’s total faith in Jesus by telling him “make me clean.” I mean, we’re still in the first chapter of Mark! People were probably still trying to figure out who Jesus was. But this guy believes and he risks everything to approach Jesus.

What does Jesus say? “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). My brothers and sisters, that is Good News! Just as Jesus says to the leper “Be made clean” he says to you and me “Be made clean.” But how many people wonder if they can approach Jesus? How many people are too embarrassed and think, “Nah, not me. You, maybe, but not me.”

Let’s talk about that for a minute. Sometimes in our relationships – not just marriage – we can hurt each other in the most awful ways. The closer we are to someone, the more we know which buttons to push – and boy can we push those buttons!

Look at the world around us. There’s so much brokenness and I suggest to you that the brokenness in the world reflects the brokenness in our relationships. We hurt someone or we have been wounded by someone. We never forgive and we never forget. So, the world reflects our wounds and brokenness. But here’s the kicker: sometimes we can’t imagine what it would be like not being angry or hurt by so and so. We think, “I have every reason to be angry!” That’s certainly true in our political environment, but it’s also true for some of our relationships. It’s far easier to walk out on a spouse, for example, than to find common ground and forgiveness.

When we choose to walk through life clinging to our hurts and anger and suspicion, we become a sort of emotional leper. We’ve chosen to become that grumpy person who sits in their front room on Halloween with the lights off ready to run outside and tell off the first kid who steps on your lawn. What are the effects of such bitterness? High blood pressure, stress, anxiety, maybe stomach problems and who knows what other ways that misery will manifest?

Is that really who you want to be? And how can Jesus possibly approach you or answer your prayers if your walled up in your own bitter and angry room?

My brothers and sisters, Jesus is ready to say to you “Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). That’s the whole reason Jesus came into the world – to save us! All we must do is lay down our pride and like the leper in today’s Gospel, ask for healing. That’s true for our countries. That’s true for us as individuals. And that’s true for married couples.

On this World Day of Marriage, let’s celebrate the healing presence of Jesus rather than the leprosy of unforgiveness. That willingness to invite Jesus in to heal our relationship begins with what Pope Francis says are perhaps the four hardest things to say to our spouses. I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. And thank you.

Homework! Healed by the saving power of the Word made flesh and in the Eucharist, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions this week. First, test whether I am holding on to unforgiveness. Write out a list of people who’ve hurt you, then pray for each person specifically. If you stumble while reading the list, then there’s room for healing! Second, during your prayer time, say, “If you wish, you can heal me.” Imagine Jesus saying to you, “Be healed!”

I think doing our homework will help us welcome the healing presence of Christ Jesus. Just a quick reminder. Wednesday the 17th is Ash Wednesday. As we begin Lent, we remember it’s not so much that I give something trivial up, like chocolate, than it is about growing in our relationship with Jesus. And it’s difficult to grow if we cling to past hurts. So, let’s offer our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving for bringing healing to our relationships, to our countries, and to the whole world! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Angry Couple. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ the physician: 1503-5
2. Conscience: 1776-94
3. Jesus hears our prayer: 2616

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021421.cfm
Lectionary: 77

Reading 1
Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
“If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch
which appears to be the sore of leprosy,
he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest,
or to one of the priests among his descendants.
If the man is leprous and unclean,
the priest shall declare him unclean
by reason of the sore on his head.

“The one who bears the sore of leprosy
shall keep his garments rent and his head bare,
and shall muffle his beard;
he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’
As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.”

Responsorial
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11
R. (7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.

Reading 2
1 Cor 10:31—11:1
Brothers and sisters,
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.
Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or
the church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,
that they may be saved.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Alleluia
Luke 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst,
God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said,
“If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
“I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Praying in the Storm

picture of a man praying with dramatic storm cloud overhead.

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Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Responsorial: Psalm 147:1-6
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020721.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Hello, and thank you for joining me today for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes, where every weekend we break open the Word. Today’s readings help to prepare us for beginning Lent in a few weeks. Specifically, these readings help us think about prayer.

In today’s first reading, we hear an excerpt from Job. Now, recalling Job’s story, we know that he was successful in just about every way we can describe success: family, friends, wealth, and a strong relationship with God. But, he loses everything because God allows Satan to test Job.

Three of his friends have come to comfort him. Part of their idea is that Job must have done something to deserve bad things in his life. But Job doesn’t accept that. Now, in today’s first reading, we hear a piece of Job’s reply to one of his friends. And he describes the bleakness of his situation. Just a few verses later, beyond our reading, Job’s attention turns to God, and he has no problem complaining to God. But, he never speaks falsely against God.

In our world today, there are so many difficult situations. Some people haven’t done well at all during the pandemic. And if we were suffering from a chronic illness before the pandemic, well, the pandemic probably made life even more difficult! Add to that the number of people who’ve had to die alone – it’s tragic!

In Job’s case, he never gave in to self-pity. Job did not believe that God sent him a punishment. Job was not afraid to take his complaints directly to God. Job says, “I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.” (Job 7:4) Do you feel restless? How many people choose to escape restlessness with something outside themselves, like friends, sports, binge-watching streaming entertainment? Or worse, losing themselves through destructive behaviors like alcohol and drugs? Job teaches us to turn to the Lord in prayer!

In the end, God rewards Job for never losing hope or faith. It’s like we hear in Psalm 147, the “Lord rebuilds” and “he gathers.” “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” and “The LORD sustains the lowly.” One of the lessons then that Job teaches us is that we need to keep the lines of communication with God open even during pain and suffering.

We also see that idea in today’s Gospel. After synagogue, the disciples Simon and Andrew invite Jesus over. But Simon’s mother-in-law is in bed, suffering from fever. What do the disciples do? Well, they don’t know what Jesus will do, but they tell Jesus all about the situation.

Isn’t that true for us too? We don’t know how and if God will help us with a particular situation, nor should we expect a direct and clear answer, but like Simon and Andrew, we need to bring our petitions to Jesus. We need to remember that we are not alone. So, we can bring Jesus our pain and suffering and our problems to Jesus. We never know what form God’s response will take.

Later in the Gospel, what does Jesus do? Jesus, who is God incarnate, goes off by himself to pray to God. Jesus, who is our example of what it means to be fully human, goes to God in prayer for guidance. So, Jesus models prayer to all of us. We shouldn’t make assumptions about our status as disciples and say something like, “I’m not worthy.” Or, “God has more important things to do than worry about this.”

What does Jesus do next in our reading today? He and the disciples continue their journey and go to synagogues to preach and drive out demons. In other words, Jesus went – Jesus goes to the places where we gather to pray to bring us healing and consolation. Whether you can go to church right now or not, or watch mass online, or gather online with friends to pray or pray alone or sit quietly alone with Jesus either before the Blessed Sacrament or in your home, Jesus comes to you and me.

If you’re feeling anxious or alone right now, you need to remind yourself that you are not alone. Jesus comes to us in our prayer, and the church prays for every soul throughout every day. We need to remind ourselves that we are not alone and that people are praying for us right now. I think that’s a very comforting thought. And it’s a great reminder as we approach Lent to pray. We are called to pray for our friends and our families, of course. We are called to pray for the church and for the whole world. We are called to pray for our friends and families who’ve passed away, especially all the souls in purgatory. And we are called to pray for the conversion of all souls.

Homework! Strengthened by prayer and nourished by the Word and the Sacrament, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, Jesus rose early and prayed before dawn. Where is a good place to pray in my home, and what time of day is best for my situation?
Second, what are some ways I can share my prayer life with others?

I think our homework will help us maintain focus on Jesus and share the Good News with others. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Praying in the storm. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Montague, George T SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Jesus as the model of prayer: 520, 2599-606
2. Inculturation: 854, 1204
3. Christ the physician: 1503-5
4. Support of church, clergy: 2043

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020721.cfm
Lectionary: 74

Reading 1
Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Job spoke, saying:
Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?”
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.

Responsorial
Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.
or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.

Alleluia
Matthew 8:17
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

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Bringing Order to Chaos

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Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time Mass Readings <1>

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Responsorial: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013121.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Thank you for joining me today for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes where every weekend we break open the Word. I’m so happy you’re here!

In my opinion, these are disturbing times. Everywhere we turn, it seems to me that there is disorder – even chaos. I can’t see the images of the insurrection at the US capitol as anything but chaotic. Add to this conspiracy theories and unreliable news. Frankly, it isn’t easy to know what to believe. As a husband and a parent, I worry about this world and the world my children live in. I don’t know what’s lurking around the corner! But I don’t have to worry!

My brothers and sisters, I have Good News! As we heard in today’s Gospel, Jesus Christ came to rebuke the forces of evil and chaos in the world and even in our lives!

Now the word “rebuke” is interesting. Scott Hahn tells us that we can find this same word used in other places in Scripture. He writes, “God by His Word “rebuked” the forces of chaos in creating the world (see Psalms 104:7; Job 26:10-12), and again rebuked the Red Sea so the Israelites could make their exodus (see Psalm 106:9) …” He goes on writing, “Mark uses the same word to describe Jesus rebuking the demons (see Mark 4:39; Zechariah 3:2).” <2>

My brothers and sisters, Jesus came into this world, and by the power of the Holy Spirit here with us now, God brings order to chaos. How does God do that exactly? Will God change political outcomes to our liking? No. Will God erase my debt and give me $1 million? No. Will God immediately remove my excess fat and make me look like some hot movie star? No.

Well, then, how does God bring order to my chaos? To answer that question, let’s take a look at a different situation.

Have you ever seen a kid who got really upset about something, like somebody eating their last piece of Christmas chocolate or drinking their soda? They can get upset and scream and holler and drive everyone around them nuts. Why do they lose it?

Well, I think any parent or any adult who’s ever looked after a child for any length of time will tell you, sometimes a child is missing perspective. They’re so focused on something that they are blind to the bigger picture.

Here’s another example. Have you seen the Disney and Pixar movie Soul? I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven’t seen it yet, so I’ll stick to what you can find on the movie trailer. In the movie, a soul named Joe Gardner is talking with a baby soul called #22. Now, #22 has absolutely no desire to become human. 22 thinks she knows everything there is to know about life on earth (even though she hasn’t been born yet) and wants no part of it!

As you watch the movie, you realize that #22 is so absorbed by what she thinks she knows, she’s missing out on the joys of life. And in classic Disney and Pixar fashion, there’s a twist, then challenges get sorted out and then “The End.” “Happy ever after!” You get the gist.

I think adults can see through a tantrum, and even a movie like Soul resonates with us because, at some level, we understand – maybe even relate. We’ve been there and done that! Right? Oh, we might not like remembering that episode from our youth, but I think we all get what it means to lose perspective.

Now, I don’t want to offend you with what I’m about to say. But, then again, my mission is to comfort the disturbed and to disturb the comfortable. So, here we go! I think there are many situations in adulthood where we adults lose perspective. Here’s an example. We become easily obsessed with the real-life drama of politics or stories about conspiracy theories and fake news. Somewhere along the way, we lost perspective and began to invest ourselves in narratives that just can’t deliver. None of these events can save our souls. So, in the big scheme of things, none of these things really matter.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s very easy to get caught up in political arguments and assert that my way is right and your way is just flat out wrong! But is that really what life is all about? Is your purpose to be glued to cable news networks or social media?

Yes, of course, our faith calls us to get involved – to bring our values to the public square. And chief among them are the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity. <3> I’ve got a great blog post that walks through this in more detail. I’ll leave the link to All Things Catholic Episode 20. https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/atc-20-faithful-citizenship/ So, we should engage in politics, but we need to be careful not to become absorbed by politics. The bishops of the United States put it this way: “When necessary, our participation should help transform the party to which we belong; we should not let the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental moral truths or approve intrinsically evil acts.” <4>

What does that mean? Well, it tells me that God forbid our salvation comes from Congress! Psalm 146 tells us, “Do not trust in rulers, nor in mortals, in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 146:3). Being a good citizen means being politically engaged, but only to a certain point.

You see, when we appoint ourselves as vigilantes; when we appoint ourselves and judge and jury; when we become totally fixated on the news, then perhaps we lost perspective. Our Gospel reminds us that Jesus came into this world to rebuke evil and chaos. So, we need to allow Jesus into our hearts and our lives so that he can rebuke those things in our lives that are out of balance – those things over which we might have lost perspective.

When we allow Jesus into our lives; when we allow ourselves to be nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist; when we put God first in our lives, then chaos is rebuked and the unsettled feeling in our hearts are dispelled.

Homework! Reflecting on Christ who comes to rebuke chaos, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions this week:

First, where is my focus? Am I more caught up in the news than in my own family or friends?
Second, what are some ways I can keep my focus on God and my family and friends throughout the day?

I think our homework will help Jesus help us maintain focus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! Would you pray with me? God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot CHANGE; Courage to CHANGE the things I can; and Wisdom to know the DIFFERENCE. The Lord be with you! May Almighty God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Would you do me a favor? There’s a very basic survey I need help with. I’ll include the link in the notes to the podcast. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KRCLWK2 Would you fill it out for me? Your feedback will help me improve my homilies. If you have any thoughts about what should be in future surveys, please send an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Photo by Photo by Josep Castells on Unsplash

References:
<1> Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes in the podcast come from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013. The readings at the end of the podcast notes come from the USCCB website and are based on the Lectionary. In general, the revised Lectionary is based on the New American Bible. For more information, see “Questions about the Scriptures used during Mass.” https://www.usccb.org/offices/new-american-bible/liturgy
<2> Scott Hahn, Email, “The King’s Authority: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time,” 25 January 2021.
<3> United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020), no. 5. Adobe Digital Editions PDF.
<4> FCFC, no. 14.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Scott Hahn, Email, “The King’s Authority: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time,” 25 January 2021.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
4. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020. Adobe Digital Editions PDF.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Sabbath: 345-49
2. Fallen angels: 391-95
3. Exorcisms: 550, 1673
4. Consecrated life: 914-33
5. Consecration of virgins: 922-24

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/013121.cfm
Lectionary: 71

Reading 1
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Moses spoke to all the people, saying:
“A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you
from among your own kin;
to him you shall listen.
This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb
on the day of the assembly, when you said,
‘Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God,
nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.’
And the LORD said to me, ‘This was well said.
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin,
and will put my words into his mouth;
he shall tell them all that I command him.
Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name,
I myself will make him answer for it.
But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name
an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak,
or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.’”

Responsorial
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9
R. (8) 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.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Brothers and sisters:
I should like you to be free of anxieties.
An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,
how he may please the Lord.
But a married man is anxious about the things of the world,
how he may please his wife, and he is divided.
An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord,
so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.
A married woman, on the other hand,
is anxious about the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.
I am telling you this for your own benefit,
not to impose a restraint upon you,
but for the sake of propriety
and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

Alleluia
Matthew 4:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light;
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,
light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 1:21-28
Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “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!”
Jesus rebuked him and said,
“Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.