The Gospel for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary time is from Mark 1:21-28. Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jonah (Jonah 3:1-5, 10) was a reluctant prophet.  He was called by God to preach against the city of Nineveh because, “their wickedness has come up before me.”  Instead, Jonah attempted to run away from his divine commission.  He boarded a ship, was cast overboard and swallowed by a great fish, rescued in a marvelous manner, and sent on his way to Nineveh, the traditional enemy of Israel.

I am pleased to announce that St. Mary Parish in Chardon will be hosting its annual Lenten Parish Mission on Monday, February 22nd, Tuesday, February 23rd and Wednesday, February 24th from 7:00-8:15 p.m. each evening. “The Faith and Real Life Parish Mission” will be presented by Mr. Greg Wasinski, an internationally known Catholic speaker.

  This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. By our baptism, we are all called to be holy. We are called to share our time, talent and treasure to make Christ known, loved and served in our world. Ultimately, we are made by God and for God to know, love and serve him in this life so as to be with God forever in the heavenly kingdom.

As we begin a New Year, the Solemnity of the Epiphany calls us to be people of hope. Certainly, that theological virtue has been tested over the last 10 months with the Coronavirus. Still, today’s readings emphasize the need to embrace that virtue perhaps more than ever.