Have you noticed that in these early Sundays of Ordinary Time, the readings have been about listening …seeking… call and response… obeying by following. We have heard powerful words from mighty prophets. We have also heard the beginnings of both Mark and John’s gospels as they tell of the call and response of the early disciples of Jesus. We’ve moved away from focusing on God-become-human, Jesus in a manger, to Jesus on the road, calling, inviting, attracting, healing, and teaching.
We too are seekers who have been called to be disciples of Jesus. We are reminded in today’s readings to listen to the words spoken by God to us and to respond to them. In the Old Testament the word of the Lord came through the prophets and in our day the word of the Lord comes through the Word-made-flesh, Jesus.
Today, as Jesus begins teaching in the Capernaum synagogue, the people listen and respond with awe because Jesus speaks with authority. Even the unclean spirit listens to Jesus’ word and responds appropriately – by fleeing ! – and the people are once again astonished.
Where did Jesus get this authority and power? We know from his life recorded throughout the gospels, that Jesus listened to the word he heard within himself from his Father, and responded to it in truth. This is what led him to reach out to others with compassion and to bring the word of freedom and liberty to those imprisoned in darkness (Alleluia verse).
As disciples, we are called to do the same… to LISTEN to the Word of God and to RESPOND to it by living as Jesus lived, by reaching out to everyone, especially those who are imprisoned in some way, who are trapped in darkness, who have been pushed to the margins of society.
Perhaps the responsorial psalm encapsulates today’s message best:
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Do I take time to listen to what the voice of God is saying within me?... or am I too busy or too afraid that I might hear something I don’t want to hear? Do I respond to God’s voice? … or have I hardened my heart lest God’s voice disturb my plans?
In the letter to the Corinthians today, Paul isn’t pitting married life and celibacy against each other. Most surely he is reminding us that in whatever we do, to whatever we are called, we must adhere to the Lord without distraction. Surely this means to LISTEN and, without fear or hesitation, to RESPOND GENEROUSLY.
Most assuredly, when we listen to our God the words we will hear are:
“ I love you. Be not afraid. Come, follow me.”
-Sister Marian Baumler
Sisters of St. Mary of Namur . 241 Lafayette Avenue . Buffalo, New York 14213 . (716) 884-8221