January 29, 2012
FALSE PROPHETS, TRUE PROPHETS
In Deuteronomy today we hear that God’s very words will fill
the mouth of a true prophet, but a false prophet will, in a manner
of speaking, put mere mortal words into God’s mouth. In
Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus teaching and healing as a true
prophet, one filled with the authority of God’s own voice, the
Holy One of God.
The whole history of our church is filled with both
true and false prophets. But in today’s Gospel we learn that
Jesus’ fame spread because he taught with authority; he wasn’t
an authority because he was popular or famous. We also learn
from him, in his desert temptation confrontations with Satan,
that anyone can quote scripture, even against God’s purposes.
And today we hear that his authority was not like that of the
scribes, who held the official positions of religious authority in
his day. Our work is to do our best to discern the true prophets
in our midst, and to be true prophets as well. The psalmist tells
us how to do this: by not hardening our hearts when God
speaks. If we truly listen to God, it will be God’s very words
filling our mouths.
January 8, 2012
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
The Epiphany of the Lord
At the Mass during the Day
O God, who on this day
revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations
by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy
that we, who know you already by faith,
may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Reflection question:
What can I do this week to come to know God better?