Scripture Reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Year B, Lectionary 71


Moses spoke of a future prophet speaking God's word. Jesus, God's Word made flesh, spoke to the people in Capernaum teaching them with 'authority.' The demon cried out as it left the man and people were left speaking to another in amazement. With so many people speaking to us are we actually listening to what God is telling us? God offers us hope and peace but often it can be muffled with our anxieties, addictions and unclean spirits. Let us make sure to not harden our hearts when we hear God speaking to us.

Hate feeling lost on Sundays at church? Searching for a better explanation of the Bible than what you hear from your pastor's sermon? Check out the following collection of audio, video, and text commentaries from various Christian experts for a better understanding of today's scripture that deal with: AdjustAmazementAngerAnxietyAuthorityBarriersCallCareCelebacyCelibacyCommunicationContextDemonDiscernDistractionEncounterEvilExampleExorcismFearFocusGhostHelpHolyHopeLiberationLightListenLoveMarriageMiracleMosesPerspectivePowerPriestProphetRelationshipSignsSt. MarkUnityUrgencyVocationVoice

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
1 Corinthians 7:32-35

“this text really is going to lay the foundation for the practice, the esteem of consecrated celibacy and virginity and the practice of it in the Christian church”

Catholic Productions | "Celibacy in the Church" | Brant Pitre | January 27, 2021
Mark 1:21-28

“This is the message of Mark’s gospel: Jesus has indeed come to set us free, the wounds of his passion are the price of that costly freedom”

"Have you come to destroy us?" | Fr. Geoffrey Plant | January 21, 2024

“There are so many problems in the world, there are so many things that are going wrong in the world. Rather than spending so much time running commentaries on them we should be like Jesus, one at a time do what you can do to make the situation better.”

Fr. Emmanuel Ochigbo | January 22, 2024

“And our demons really do exist but they're no match for Christ. Christ can shoo them away like a little cockroach, all we have to do is do what the man did in the gospel, take them to Jesus, place our demons on the altar and let the light of life shine upon them and they'll scurry away”

Holy Name of Jesus Church & Loyola Ministry | "A Ghost Story" | Fr. Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ | January 28, 2024

“It is up to us to let the Lord continue to teach us. Are you looking to be a lifelong learner?”

Saint Katharine Drexel Parish - Boston, MA | Fr. Oscar Pratt | January 31, 2021

“So when you put it in that context, what is the demon saying here to Jesus? At the very beginning of the Gospel of Mark the demon is recognizing that Jesus isn't just the messiah or the king, Jesus is the true high priest, he's a priestly messiah.”

Catholic Productions | "Jesus the Exorcist" | Brant Pitre | January 25, 2021
Overall Readings

“Today's readings invite us into the depth of that call, to explore who we're called to be and how God's call makes itself manifest in our lives”

Catholic Women Preach | Colleen Gibson, SSJ | January 28, 2024

“Do you recognize the voice of God when you hear it? Do we know what that voice sounds like?”

Saint Katharine Drexel Parish - Boston, MA | Fr. Oscar Pratt | January 28, 2024

“The prophets in our midst distract us from our complacency and point us to grace and hope”

Catholic Women Preach | Christina R. Zaker | January 31, 2021

“But is that enough, to be amazed? Must it not also lead us somewhere?”

Catholic Women Preach | Maria Cimperman, RSCJ | January 28, 2018

“we're working so hard all day, night and day to cast out these demons ourself and that's where the anxiety comes which is just another demon. And perhaps our salvation will come when we finally stop trying to save ourselves and come to our savior at the altar, come to the Lord and ask the Lord to rid us of our demons, be they dramatic or be they subtle.”

Holy Name of Jesus Church & Loyola Ministry | "UNCLEAN SPIRITS" | Fr. Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ | January 31, 2021

“He taught them as one with authority. What was the authority? He was the Son of God.”

St. Teresa of Avila - DC | Monsignor Raymond East | January 29, 2024

“let us look around and pick up that fallen brother or sister so that when we fall tomorrow someone will be there to pick us up. If the wind has not blown off your candle please put some light on your neighbor's candle so that when the wind blows yours off tomorrow someone will be there for you.”

Fr. Emmanuel Ochigbo | January 27, 2021

“We can't just ask God a question or make a demand upon God and then say 'I'm listening.' Instead, are we quieting ourselves and creating an internal disposition and openness to God, letting God communicate with us in God's way and in God's time?”

U.S. Catholic magazine | John Christman | January 19, 2024

“Like Jesus, all our words and all our actions should be backed by the authority that has been given to us by our heavenly Father”

Fr. Tony Ricard | January 28, 2024

“So when Jesus begins his ministry he teaches the word of God to the people of God and in order to show that he isn't a false prophet he also demonstrates his power over the demons. In other words, he couples his teaching with supernatural signs and wonders just like Moses did.”

Catholic Productions | "Miracles and Wonders: Motives of Credibility" | Brant Pitre | April 9, 2021