Reflections for the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2012**
** These homilies were written by Fr. Howard in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
They refer to the daily readings for the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2012.
Sunday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 2012
January 29, Mark 1: 21-28
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
We have spoken in previous homilies of change and conversion. We have spoken of “repentance,” “turning from our sin”, “changing our minds,” and turning to another way of acting or doing things. Today’s Gospel selection leads us along the same path.
Today’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus casting out an “unclean spirit” from a man. These “demons” or “unclean spirits” may be defined as anything the people of Jesus’ times did not understand. For example, the sickness of alcoholism was as rampant in Jesus’ time as it is now. In those days they didn’t have a clue as to why anyone would drink and drink and drink until they went insane or died. So they called it a “demon.” For that matter, we still don’t understand it all that well and you still hear people today talking of “demon rum.” They thought such things as disease, mental illness, criminal behavior, etc., were evil as opposed to good and attributed them, therefore, to the devil.
Today we can still look at these “unclean spirits” both in the metaphoric and the real sense. Today this phraseology serves as a symbol or sign or the “voice” of evil we sometimes hear within ourselves; the voice of fears, resentments, alibis, telling lies, manipulating others, rationalizing, greed, anger, and so forth. These things can possess us; we can be obsessed with them. We know they can be contrary to the way, truth, and life of Jesus that we as disciples are supposed to be seeking and preaching.
Jesus said to the demon possessing the man in today’s Gospel: “Quiet! Come out of him!” And the devil left the man. Jesus will do the same for us and any “demons” we may have. All we have to do is ask him.
Fr. Howard
Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
January 30, Mark 5: 1-20
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
The Gospel message for today reminds us of the fact that we are all responsible for the spreading of the Good News of Jesus. Baptism calls us to this. We have spoken of this many times before. The man Jesus healed in today’s Gospel went to his family “and announced to them all what the Lord in his pity had done for him.” We meet people like this, people God has helped in some miraculous way. We meet them every day if only we listen to their story. God truly cares for his people and assists them in so many wonderful ways.
What has God caused to happen to you that you need to share with others to show how much God loves us? Run and do it today! Don’t just think about it. Don’t keep the Good News to yourself!
Fr. Howard
Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
January 31, Mark 5: 21-43
Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
St. Mark plays literary games with us in this Gospel selected to be read today. He does this to get our attention. The Gospel begins with the telling of one miracle story, is interrupted with the telling of another miracle story, and then comes back to finish the first story.
My Commentary points out that these two stories are intertwined in meaning. Each one is meant to change some of our common attitudes toward death. Death is looked upon by many as an occasion of sadness and fear, fear of the unknown, fear of what happens after death. If we believe in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we will not feel sad or afraid at the mention of death. These feelings are OK because one who was loved is seemingly lost forever. But in view of the resurrection we see death as a time of celebration and joy. Some also see death as final and I often used to talk about the finality of death at funerals. But death is final only in regard to this temporal life we are leading. We too will rise again on the last day, as Jesus tells us often in the Scriptures. Death is temporary, as is shown in the Gospel today in Jesus calling the little girl back to life. He will also call us back to life in the life to come.
Jesus often wondered why our faith was so “little.” I must admit I wonder the same thing about myself.
Fr. Howard
Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 1, Mark 6: 1-6
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Even though the word “rejection” is not used explicitly in our Gospel chosen to be read today, the idea of the people rejecting Jesus is certainly present, as it is in many other places in Scripture. The Greek word for “reject” is atheteo which means despise, cast aside, spurn. The word “reject” comes from the Latin re-jacere which means literally to throw again, to throw back (in the sense of catching a fish that is too small and throwing it back again into the water.), to repulse, to refuse to accept. Jesus shows his awareness of this rejection by quoting Psalm 118: 22 in Matthew 21:42: “Jesus said to them, “Did you never read the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord this has been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?”
This rejection of Jesus is unfortunately still going on today. And people who reject Jesus and his values are also rejecting their true happiness, joy and peace that come only from him. They reject being lifted, raised above the usual human standards and ways.
What are some of the reasons for rejection? Why do we reject Jesus and other people too? One of the main reasons I see is because those we reject are different from us in one way or another. I had a developmentally handicapped brother who was rejected by many people. He had the mentality of a four year old. He was different and those who rejected him never discovered that he was a truly beautiful, wonderful and precious person. The loss was theirs; not my brother’s. Just like the loss is ours, not Jesus’, when we reject him. We also reject others because we are jealous of them, envious of them. They are too good for us, as it were. But this is just another way of their being different from us, and again the loss is ours.
Today’s Gospel causes me to look around and see if I am rejecting anyone now (and if I am, I am at the same time rejecting Christ). Why is this happening? Why am I harming myself in this way? What can I do to remedy the situation?
Fr. Howard
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 2, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and Candlemas Day
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
The Feast of the Presentation, also called Candlemas Day, commemorates the purification of Mary, Mother of God, which took place 40 days after the birth of Christ as required by Jewish Law. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every first born child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also sacrificed a pair of turtle doves to show they were poor. Once in the Temple, Jesus is prayed over by Simeon in the presence of Anna the Prophetess. We are all familiar with this story.
The name Candlemas Day comes from the blessing of candles associated with this feast. All the candles to be used in the Liturgies, etc., of the coming year will be blessed today. Blessed candles are sometimes distributed to the people to take into their homes. My Mom always reminded me to bring some blessed candles home on this day. She would burn them in our home during thunder and wind storms throughout the year.
In some cultures, Candlemas Day also predicted weather patterns. There is an old English song that goes:
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas bring clouds and rain,
Go winter, and come not again.
Fr. Howard
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 3, Mark 6: 14-29
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Today’s Gospel is the story of John the Baptist's death at the hands of Herod for standing up for what he knew was right. John was not about to enable Herod as being virtuous in his marriage to Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother, Philip. John stood up for the good against the evil and suffered terrible consequences for doing so. John could have easily said, “It’s OK, Herod. Don’t worry about legalities here.” He could have enabled Herod and saved his own life. Is there any of this going on in our lives where we just let unethical behavior slide by without any confrontation? This is not the way to preach the Gospel by our good example.
Let’s check ourselves for any enabling we may be mixed up in in our relationships.
Fr. Howard
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, Mark 6: 30-34
Link to Readings for Daily Mass
Have you asked yourself the question lately: Why is everyone in such a big hurry? Where is everyone going so fast? Man, I do. Sometimes I think I’m being passed by everyone in the world. In today’s Gospel selection, Jesus tells his disciples to stop running and working for a while, come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile. Put some silent, restful time in your day!
I sometimes watch the first half of the Oprah Winfrey Show on TV in the afternoon before I switch to Jeopardy at 4:30. The other day, Oprah asked her audience to press a button if they deliberately sought out quiet, silent time in their daily lives. I forget the exact percentage that pressed the button indicating they did, but I believe it was over 40%. I think the number surprised Oprah. She wasn’t expecting it to be so high. In my present situation of old age and not too good health, I have plenty of time for silence in my life. I guess this is one of the good things about being older and in poor health.
How about you? Do you enjoy silent time every day in your busy schedules?
Remember the old adage: Make haste slowly.
Fr. Howard
