The Power of His Words

4th Sunday In Ordinary Time
01 February 2009


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.


First reading Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like myself, from among yourselves, from your own brothers; to him you must listen. This is what you yourselves asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the Assembly. “Do not let me hear again” you said “the voice of the Lord my God, nor look any longer on this great fire, or I shall die”; and the Lord said to me, “All they have spoken is well said. I will raise up a prophet like yourself for them from their own brothers; I will put my words into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him. The man who does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name, shall be held answerable to me for it. But the prophet who presumes to say in my name a thing I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.”’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 94:1-2,6-9

Second reading 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I would like to see you free from all worry. An unmarried man can devote himself to the Lord’s affairs, all he need worry about is pleasing the Lord; but a married man has to bother about the world’s affairs and devote himself to pleasing his wife: he is torn two ways. In the same way an unmarried woman, like a young girl, can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs; all she need worry about is being holy in body and spirit. The married woman, on the other hand, has to worry about the world’s affairs and devote herself to pleasing her husband. I say this only to help you, not to put a halter round your necks, but simply to make sure that everything is as it should be, and that you give your undivided attention to the Lord.

Gospel Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his followers went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority in their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod - Balla

This Sunday’s gospel inspired me to write a poem as my reflection.

Jesus speaks and great things happen:
The blind can see, the demons flee
The sick are healed, evil spirits are silenced
Miracles are seen, a new life begins.

His Words are truly powerful
Leaving lasting effect to us all.
He speaks with great authority
That comes from our God Almighty.

Speak, Oh Jesus, speak
Speak to me always
Let me hear Your words
Let me change my ways.

Say the words and I shall be healed
Say the words and I shall be saved
For Your words are the Word of Life
For You, My Jesus, are the Word of God
Amen.