I Should Like You to be Free of Anxieties

As part of his pastoral year internship at St. Peter Church in Memphis, TN, Br. Carlos Salas, O.P., is writing a weekly reflection on the Sunday readings.

Here is this weekend’s reflection. It’s a great tool to help us dive into the scriptures and apply them to our daily lives.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B) – January 31, 2021
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 | Psalm 95 | 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 | Mark 1:21-28

From the Apostle St. Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians:
“I should like you to be free of anxieties.”

A celibate religious or priest is set apart, consecrated, for the Lord, primarily. St. Paul explains that the unmarried are anxious about the things of the Lord and the married seek to please their spouse. Unmistakably, it does not mean that the married are not anxious about the Lord or the celibate concerned about assisting his or her neighbor. Instead, the Lord calls certain people “from among your own kin” to be consecrated for the Lord, that they may be prophets for the world. Even though prophets are found in the laity, all of us need to encourage young men and women to consider a life of consecrated chastity. Religious and priests are freed from marital responsibilities to have the time to listen to the Lord more attentively and share with others what He puts in their mouth.

Something to think about:
• In today’s Gospel, our Lord freed a man who was possessed with an unclean spirit. Ask our Lord to help you be freed from any unclean thoughts, intentions, and actions.
• St. Paul expresses that he should like us to be free of anxieties, that we may be freer to draw closer to our Lord. What anxieties do I have now? To whom may I confide them who will understand me and pray with me?
• Young men and women often think that it is expected of them to get married. That is not the case for everyone. However, it is true that everyone needs to discern whether they are called to live a married, single, or consecrated life. Have I considered these options seriously? If already living a lifetime commitment, how do I listen to the Lord in my calling? Do I know of someone whom I think should discern for either of these options?