Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: For all those who serve as leaders in our Lasallian mission, that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to great faith and vision.
Today’s Gospel | Mark 1:21-28
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
From the Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Because you are ambassadors and ministers of Jesus Christ in the work that you do, you must act as representing Jesus Christ. He wants your disciples to see him in you and to receive your instructions as if he were instructing them. They must be convinced that your instructions are the truth of Jesus Christ, who speaks with your mouth, that it is only in his name that you teach, and that he has given you authority over them.
They must also be convinced that they are a letter that Jesus Christ dictates to you, which you write each day in their heart, not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, who acts in you and by you through the power of Jesus Christ. He helps you triumph over all the obstacles that oppose the salvation of these children, enlightening them in the person of Jesus Christ to make them avoid all that could be displeasing to him.
Prayer
Eternal Father, you are present to us through all of the people and experiences of our daily lives, but many times we are not prepared to believe. Help us to open our minds and our hearts, to overcome our faithlessness and set aside our doubts. May we celebrate the gift of your salvation by giving of ourselves in the building of your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.