Ordinary Time, 4th Sunday. Moses promised that God will not leave His people but will raise up, “A prophet like me... from among your own kin." This prophet is Jesus, who teaches with authority even greater than Moses. Our scripture gives a specific place and a specific time for discovering Jesus: in the synagogue (a place of worship) on the Sabbath (the Lord's Day). The Lord is with every Christian community worshipping on Sunday. Christ speaks with authority in the scriptures. He works in and through the priest to consecrate the Eucharist, which is His Real Presence. You receive Jesus, and Jesus is present in you, His mystical body.

Why do we not recognize Him? There is active opposition to the word of God: the world (distraction and anxiety), the flesh (laziness and backsliding), and the Devil. The opposition enslaves us. But God has raised up a prophet to lead us out of slavery into freedom. He speaks with authority and he is present right now and right here in this place.

(1 Feb 2015)

Point to Ponder: When have the world, the flesh, and the devil made me feel like a slave?

Point to Discuss: What does it mean for you to say Jesus is present in the Word, the Congregation, the Priest and the Eucharist?