January 24 - One Bread, One Body
January 24, Third Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle B Readings:
1) Jonah 3:1-5, 10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
2) Psalms 25:4-9
Mark 1:14-20
There's something about God's word
''Jonah began...announcing, 'Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,' when the people of Nineveh believed God." — Jonah 3:4-5
At Mass this morning, the gentleman seated directly in front of me paid no attention whatsoever to the homily. He was fidgeting in his seat, looking to the right and left as the pastor told several anecdotes related to today’s readings. Halfway through the homily, the pastor quoted from memory Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-45. At the very instant the pastor quoted the first word of the Scripture passage, this man’s head literally whipped around ninety degrees, and he stared intently at the priest. He listened in rapt attention, riveted and motionless for the remainder of the homily. The change was striking to observe. There’s something different about the Word of God.
Our words can be helpful to others, but it’s God’s Word that has the power to reach hearts. Jonah announced God’s Word and got immediate results (Jon 3:4ff). Jesus spoke God’s “now-word” (see Ez 33:30) and got immediate results; the disciples immediately abandoned their nets and followed Him (Mk 1:17, 20).
God’s Word is living and effective. It pierces hearts (Heb 4:12). It always does the job (Is 55:10-11). It reverberates inside people’s hearts and “produces of itself” results in the lives of men and women (Mk 4:28). Revise your vocabulary. Speak God’s Word — for a change.
Prayer: Father, may people always take Your Word as it truly is, the Word of God rather than the words of men (1 Thes 2:13). May I spend my life spreading Your Word.
Promise: “Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.” —Mk 1:17
Praise: “ ‘Praised be the Lord,’ I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies” (2 Sm 22:4). Risen Jesus, we are secure in You!
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 14, 2020.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.