5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 4/2/2018 - Gospel: Mk 1:29-39
Humble servant
This week readings give different ways of how people express their faith in God. In the first reading Job gave thanks to God because he believed that everything he owned God gave him, including his life. God had the full right to take it away and he kept thanking God. Job showed his faithfulness to God through his utmost sufferings. Job tells us that having faith in God doesn't mean that our earthly life is free from misfortunes but rather we are called to be witnesses for God in all circumstances, good and not so good, including our sickness and suffering. Job is a faithful servant who absolutely has faith in God. Nothing can crush his faith. His faith in God is stronger than all the miseries that evil spirits had tried on him. He is a true servant, truly humble from the heart. Having a steadfast faith in God enables Job to have God as first priority in his life. God in a mysterious way is the source of consolation and wisdom even though Job feels the loneliness in his misery and yet day and night Job beholds God's name and takes shelter in God alone.
The second reading is the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians. Paul expressed his faithfulness, no matter what, through his zeal to spread the Good News. After his personal encountered with the resurrection of Christ on the way to Damascus, Paul became a new person and pleasing Jesus is his first priority and also the final goal in his life. Paul shared different struggles in his mission to spread the Gospel. He denounced his career and world privileges to slave for the Gospel. To bring the Good News to everyone and every race is the responsibility Paul volunteering to take it on himself. He labours without counting the cost and looks not for reward for himself but to gain more souls for Christ is his reward. For Paul, success in ministry means pleasing Christ.
Jesus, in the Gospel of St Mark, tells his disciples that his mission on earth is preaching God's will to everyone. Through the person of Jesus the hidden face of God is revealed and the mystery of the Good News is no more hidden but it is manifested through the teaching of Jesus. The crowds praised that his teaching is news and he taught with authority. His reputation spread like fire but Jesus takes no credits or fame for himself. He simply wants to proclaim the Good News and to heal 'the broken hearted and binds up their wounds' Ps 146,2. Curing people's sickness and deceases is a way to show God's care and mercy upon the people and also shows that God has the power over evil spirits.
Jesus' first and primarily goal on earth is to do the will of God the Father and he would not miss any opportunity to tell openly to the people about God's will and that is.
Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Jn 6, 40
Through prayers Jesus keeps God's will active and be united with God the Father. We, the disciples of Jesus, are united with Jesus through constant prayers and receive God's grace through the Eucharist and others sacraments of the Church to be faithful witnesses for Jesus. We encourage each others to make their baptismal promises alive in our faith community at St Francis Xavier.
The second reading is the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians. Paul expressed his faithfulness, no matter what, through his zeal to spread the Good News. After his personal encountered with the resurrection of Christ on the way to Damascus, Paul became a new person and pleasing Jesus is his first priority and also the final goal in his life. Paul shared different struggles in his mission to spread the Gospel. He denounced his career and world privileges to slave for the Gospel. To bring the Good News to everyone and every race is the responsibility Paul volunteering to take it on himself. He labours without counting the cost and looks not for reward for himself but to gain more souls for Christ is his reward. For Paul, success in ministry means pleasing Christ.
Jesus, in the Gospel of St Mark, tells his disciples that his mission on earth is preaching God's will to everyone. Through the person of Jesus the hidden face of God is revealed and the mystery of the Good News is no more hidden but it is manifested through the teaching of Jesus. The crowds praised that his teaching is news and he taught with authority. His reputation spread like fire but Jesus takes no credits or fame for himself. He simply wants to proclaim the Good News and to heal 'the broken hearted and binds up their wounds' Ps 146,2. Curing people's sickness and deceases is a way to show God's care and mercy upon the people and also shows that God has the power over evil spirits.
Jesus' first and primarily goal on earth is to do the will of God the Father and he would not miss any opportunity to tell openly to the people about God's will and that is.
Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Jn 6, 40
Through prayers Jesus keeps God's will active and be united with God the Father. We, the disciples of Jesus, are united with Jesus through constant prayers and receive God's grace through the Eucharist and others sacraments of the Church to be faithful witnesses for Jesus. We encourage each others to make their baptismal promises alive in our faith community at St Francis Xavier.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia