First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2;6-7ac;7d-9 (R. 7d;8a)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25
Gospel: Mark 1:21b-28
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2;6-7ac;7d-9 (R. 7d;8a)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 11:25
Gospel: Mark 1:21b-28
 |
| Comfort Edewor |
MY REFLECTION
My reflection on
the second reading...
St. Paul is directing our attention to something quite profound here– the necessity to be free from those things that weigh us down and become a set back in our desire to serve God wholeheartedly.
Though, some of these things are good and beneficial, even to the human race. After all without marriage, the human race would probably soon become extinct. Yet, the distractions created by marriage and procreation cannot be ignored. No wonder Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. The distractions do not only come from spouses and children, but the struggle to make ends meet, which sometimes exposes one to unhealthy and dubious practices. Like St Paul said, anxieties are never far from such individuals. I believe that each person who wants to be more dedicated in the service of God while taking on such responsibilities, must necessarily agree with their spouses on how to manage their time and resources without neglecting their primary assignment and responsibility towards family members and then risk offending God. Again, St. Paul is also saying that whether married or single, even by choice we all have a "baggage" that can become a stumbling block to a whole hearted service of God. The marriage to carnal things can even be more debilitating especially in the case of younger people. How one navigates round these obstacles is purely in the hands of each individual.
May all concerned in this clearly difficult situation find the wisdom they need to cope with it, Amen.
 |
| Stan Oregie |
MY REFLECTION
Jesus the Heretic
In the Gospel reading of today, we hear the people of Carpernaum exclaim, "A new teaching!" Truly, Jesus had come with a new teaching which had a striking deviation from the old order. While observing fidelity to some of the Jewish practices, his teachings on many aspects were novel and unique. To the Jews, here was an Heretic who deviated from the traditional Jewish beliefs. The reactions of the Jewish leaders can be predicted. Yet, Jesus remained faithful to the truth and just cause.
Friend, like Jesus, dare to be different! Don't be afraid to be different! Insist on your just convictions. Never give up on them. Do not join the mob. Do not be cowered by the dissenting voices in offering your uniqueness to the world. There is no need to be apologetic about it. Jesus embraced his uniqueness and that was his selling– "...His fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding regions of Galilee."
Break forth from your timidity and fear, dare to be different, and experience your breakthrough.
Enjoy Christ's love.
 |
| Ben Adewale Ajai |
MY REFLECTION
The first and second reading are interconnected in the sense that Moses prophesied about the final "Prophet" which is Jesus Christ, and the authority that he would exude. Surely, this authority was exhibited (then, now and forever) in the Gospel Reading, by Jesus Christ when he taught, casted out demons, made burdens light, granted comfort, e.t.c.
St. Paul, in the second reading, using the analogy of single and married people, does not mean that those that are married are sinners while the singles are saints. The bane of it all, is for Christians to be FOCUSED on the dealings of God in our everyday lives and avoid worldly DISTRACTIONS that may veer us away.
The talk about been anxious is also an admonition for us to always follow through with our COMMITMENTS, viz;
1. Those who are engaged or betrothed should not be deceitful but ensure they fulfil their promises.
2. Those who cannot abstain should marry instead of stressing themselves battling with immorality within them.
3. Those who are married should focus on their marriages and nurture them towards God's intentions for matrimony.
 |
| Nicholas Omonjeva |
MY REFLECTION
Jesus is the Head of principalities and powers.
Light and darkness can't co-exist.
Darkness may look like light for a while until the true light appears and everything will be revealed.
They have been teaching in the synagogue before now and it has been like lecture and motivation, until Jesus showed up.
The kingdom of God is not mere words but it is power. No be English oh and power is not powder.
The man with the unclean spirit might have been in the gathering for years and no body noticed where he was operating from. He might have been elected the synagogue chairman and he would have been a mentor to many.
Jesus showed up and two minutes, everywhere burst!
Jesus is not a stranger in the kingdom of darkness as he is the Father of all spirits. He has dealt with them and has made their supreme leader under his feet.
"With a loud voice," he said, "come out of him!" and so it was. No time for many questions like who wants to be billionaire session. Just a command and so it was.
If you are yet to attain the realm, please wait patiently on the Lord and do not mock those that are in that realm. Just one public display of power, at once Christ's fame spread everywhere. Just one!!
We all know how Jesus managed fame. E nor enter him head. He managed the fame properly.
May God grant us understanding, Amen.
 |
| Paddy Kevwe |
MY REFLECTION
Promoting Good Order
With the advent of online trading (buying and selling), one can comfortably place an order for any goods from the comfort of his home or anywhere he finds himself. Then, when you get what you ordered, you are likely to make more orders and even refer others to patronize such company or vendor and in doing this, we are obliged to set our priorities right.
In the first reading, this promotion of the 'goods ordered' for the people of Israel became God's initiative of raising up a prophet like Moses to guide and instruct the people of Israel to be in the right way. If we must be in good order then we must listen to the call of the Psalmist which says, "O! that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts." As such, orderliness comes from listening, and listening is more than just hearing, it is hearing and doing what one has heard.
St. Paul in the second reading calls our mind to knowing our place in life. You are either married or not but in any state of life you are, you must set your priorities right. Choose whose affair you are most clinged to. As he concluded, St. Paul said, "I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord."
The Lord shows this act of promoting good order when he taught with authority and mostly, when he rebuked the unclean spirit from the possessed man. Though, on the surface the unclean spirit seems to appear to be clean since it could identify and recognize Jesus as the Holy One of God. Notwithstanding, it is not enough to identify and recognize Jesus when your motive is oppressive and destructive. So, for Jesus to bring about good order in that possessed man, He has to cast out the unclean spirit from the possessed man.
As we hear the Word of God today, let us be agents of good orderliness in the society, and we can do that by listening to the commands of the Lord. May the Lord bless his words in our life, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
 |
| Innocent Ifeanyichukwu |
MY REFLECTION
The three readings are reminding us of being holy and living a righteous life because our Lord God is Holiness Himself. In the first reading, the Lord reassured us (The New Israelites) of His unconditional love through raising of a prophet to lead us rightly.
In the second reading, we are urged to live according to God's will, which is desiring not the things of the world anymore but focus fully on doing the things that God demands from us.
In the Gospel reading, it was made clear that the devil knows those that are truly the children of God and for that, we are advised to abstain from living a life of pretence and be straight forward in all our doings.
No comments:
Post a Comment