Saturday June 1, 2024

“The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders said to him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?'” (Mark 11:27-28)

Good News Reflection for:

Saturday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
June 1, 2024

Today’s Readings:

Jude 17:20b-25
Psalm 63:2-6
Mark 11:27-33
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060124.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-june-1-2024

What happens when you’re a prophet for Christ?

In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 11, verses 27 and 28, we see Jesus who, with his preaching and miracles, shakes the “world” of the high priests, the scribes, and the elders. Their reaction: “By what authority do you do this?”

Everyone who speaks about the Lord with an anointing (the touch of the Holy Spirit) is a prophet of Christ. Our words attract attention. People are shaken. All, to some extent, pause and ask themselves, “What is this?” Then each person reacts.

Some people move toward those words, leaning in to listen more carefully. Their hearts are willing, their souls are hungry, their spirits are open, and they are transformed by those words. It’s the victory of the Lord in our lives! Working together as partners, the Maker and the creature are invincible.

Other people feel restless. Something stirs uncomfortably within them. Their brow furrows as distrust emerges. “Beware!” their spirits shout. “Threat!” And immediately they feel a desire to silence the prophet’s voice.

Between one reaction and another, there are infinite nuances: wonder, fear, doubt, guilt, prejudice, fatigue, disinterest, irritation, outrage, etc.

It’s inevitable. Proclaiming the Word of the Lord inevitably causes some reaction. If not, it is not truly the Word of the Lord. It is merely a human word with good intentions.

If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, you should expect any of these reactions: availability, joy, acceptance, uncertainty, annoyance, rejection, anger, persecution and, possibly, your death. If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, many lives will be transformed. Joy will be a clear sign of authenticity. Persecution will be, too.

If you are proclaiming the Word of the Lord, pray. Ask the Lord to strengthen your spirit so the applause will not make your soul proud and any fear of persecution will not weaken your will.

Pray! Pray always and rejoice in your Lord!

Are you looking for a way to make a difference using the gifts God has given you? Use our online tools entitled, “The Master Needs You” @ wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/of-the-laity/#master. And consider: What kind of an impact can you have on the world as a prophet of Christ — an ordinary person following God’s calling to serve?

Facing a non-believer today? Pray GNM’s Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary for Conversions first: gnm.org/prayers/pray-the-rosary/luminous-mysteries.

© 2024 by Graciela Ramos

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