A WORD FOR TODAY 31 JANUARY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*GIVE YOUR ATTENTION AND LOYALTY TO THE LORD

_"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided"(1 Corinthians 7:32-34)_

_*It is always beneficial to listen to the person who has the right message that will add value to your life and impact you positively than to waste your energy listening to nonsense or chaff from an individual whose primary intent will be to ruin your life.*_

_To be able to find the right person you can look up to as a mentor and model and then follow his or her guide is something that requires discipline, discernment and diligence. Moses told the people in the first reading that the Lord will raise up a prophet from among them and that they should give heed to him and do what he tells them. The prophet will speak in the name of the Lord and he will be real and authentic and not fake._

_*In the gospel reading we see Jesus as the true and real prophet, who will teach the people the truth and He was in the synagogue (a place of prayer, reading of the dabar (law) and Torah (word) and exposition and explanation of it), He was there teaching and what he taught made a deep impression in the people. They were amazed because He taught them with authority and not just like the Scribes and the Pharisees. His teachings touched them in the soul and not just on the emotional level. The Scribes will need to quote an authority to support their teaching, but Jesus is His own authority and does not need any other person to prove that what He is teaching is true.*_

_A true and real prophet is always ready to teach the truth and if we want to please God and do what He commands, we must listen to Jesus whom he has sent into the world to bring us peace, blessings and grace. He is the word made flesh and anyone who follows Him will not walk in darkness._

_*Our undivided attention and loyalty must be given to Jesus, because He has the power and authority to show us the way that leads to life. We must focus on Him and be devoted to Him and in that way we shall learn from Him the truth, live by the truth and conquer as He conquered.*_

_Jesus has authority and He rebuked the unclean spirit tormenting the man in the synagogue. He can help us in our own challenge and He can set us free. We only need to listen to Him and place our total trust and attention on Him. If you give Him your attention, He will fill you with His power and glory and you will also be able to do the things He did while He was here on earth._

_*You cannot be fake if you are truly connected to Jesus. You cannot deceive others if you truly love Him. We share in the prophetic power and authority of Christ and if we are loyal to Him, we must continue to teach the truth and guide others in the way of truth.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a beautiful Sunday. May Jesus give you the grace to listen to Him and may He help you conquer always. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Deuteronomy 18:15-20/Psalm 95:1-2,6-7/1 Corinthians 7:32-35/Mark 1:21-28

*Watch-Word:* O that today you would listen to his voice,! Harden not your hearts.

*Stop patronising fake prophets, follow Jesus the true and authentic prophet and you will not be led astray.*

(Fourth Sunday in the Ordinary Time. Cycle B.)