Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time Year B - Being the face of God

 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Sunday, January 30, 2012 –  Called to be the face of God

Lectionary #        Deut. 18. 15-20; Ps: 95; 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35; Mark 1: 21-28

 

In the gospels Jesus is given a number of titles, rabbi, Messiah, King, Prophet, Shepherd, Son of God, Holy One of God, High Priest and many others.

Three of them were applied to us at our baptism. We may not remember it, but when you were baptized you were anointed with the words: As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.

What do these words mean for me?

First, as King Jesus’ role is to ensure we are kept safe and secure from all the troubles and temptations of the world. So, Jesus is with us, giving us the grace to overcome temptation and avoid sinning.  

Second, as priest Jesus’ role is to sanctify us and act as a mediator between God and us. When we pray to God we do so in Jesus’ name. Jesus makes it possible for us to speak with God.  

Third, as a prophet Jesus’ role is to speak the word of God giving us insight into our journey of faith. When we read and listen to scripture, we are making Jesus present in a real way. For this reason, the Apostle John described Jesus in his gospel, as the word of God.

All three titles, priest, prophet and king are summed up in Mark’s gospel where we are told Jesus spoke with authority and even had power over unclean spirits. This is one of the few passages where Jesus is essentially silent. He only says seven words, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

The point Mark is making is that Jesus, who is the face of God his Father. comes to us, to sanctify us, to receive our prayers and keep us safe. In other words, we are not alone. God is with us. God is with us.

Let me share with you a story about a grandfather – perhaps one that I know.

A few years ago, a grandfather heard his grandson crying. As he entered the room where his grandson had been placed earlier by his mother in a play pen, his grandson immediately stopped crying. With a big smile he said, Pa! Pa! Just as the grandfather was getting ready to pick him up, the child’s mother bolted into the room and exclaimed – now you stay there until you know how to behave – reminding the child why he had been relegated to the playpen in the first place.

Grandpa stopped dead in his tracks. Knowing that rescuing his grandson from the playpen was not an option; yet his grandsons’ distress beckoned him to do something.  Rejecting the idea of leaving the child alone and dismissing the notion of just sitting next to the play pen and reading a story to him, grandpa climbed into the playpen and sat with his grandson.

This little action on Grandpa’s part expresses his love for his grandson knows no bounds; it is an example of how God’s love comes to us; a love that is extended even to people who are imprisoned by their choices and especially to those who feel neglected, abandoned and in need.

As we were anointed to live always as a member of Jesus’ body, then we are expected to be the face of God to others. We need to climb into the playpens of life and sit with those who are lost, forgotten, suffering and in need.

If we do this – we too will earn the title prophet – and perhaps even the holy one of God.