Breaking the Word

Week 3 of Ordinary Time, Thursday – 26^th January 2023 — Gospel: Mark 4,21-25

Revelation made known

Four ambiguous sayings of Jesus are paired (4,21-22 and 4,24-25) and sandwiched with solemn admonition to listen (4,23 similar to 4,9). Despite the obscurity of the parables and the difficulties people have in understanding Jesus’ teaching (4,11-12), his purpose is not to hide the mystery of the kingdom but to make it known. The implication is that the lamp is Jesus, who has come into the world to bring humanity the light of revelation (Lk 2,32; Jn 1,9; 8,12). Just as Jesus’ identity cannot be prematurely publicized with false understanding of the messiah, so the mystery of the kingdom has to germinate and sprout deep within human hearts before its full splendour. On the one level the saying, of the lamp under a basket, alludes to the fact that the time of hiddenness has ended with Jesus’ resurrection. Now the mystery of his messianic identity and mission is fully revealed, and it is the responsibility of his followers to take that light into the whole world. On another level the kingdom is still hidden in the trails and setbacks that accompany the Church’s mission of evangelization. In the end, all that God wishes to reveal is destined to come to light.

Conversion of St. Paul, Wednesday – 25^th January 2023 — Gospel: Mark 16,15-18

Messengers of Hope

God acts powerfully in those who trust him. Paul exemplifies as a shining example of what God can do through someone who trusts in Him. After his conversion, Paul put his life totally in the hands of Christ and was not afraid to proclaim Him to everyone he met. Even though Paul faced many difficulties, his work produced enormous fruit and helped to extend the number of Christian communities. He pulled through his ministry, because he was anchored by the grace of Christ.

The world needs messengers of hope. Jesus Christ is this message that everyone needs vitally. He is the message that God loves each one deeply and personally. Christ is God’s message of Hope to man. Our world often looks for love in the wrong places, it needs to find the answer to its deepest desires in Christ. We are called like St. Paul to spread Christ’s love seriously and to become messengers of hope. We cannot wait until the circumstances are favourable, we must do whatever we can now. Our opportunity is now. St. Paul and the first apostles did not wait until all the circumstances were right before beginning their evangelization. As soon as Christ touched their lives, they began right away to spread God’s message of love, hope and salvation.  Like St. Paul we must feel that the fire of Christ’s love impels us (2 Cor 5,14) here and now.