Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Lectionary: 322
Lectionary: 322
Brothers and
sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and maker is God.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
All these died in faith.
They did not receive what had been promised
but saw it and greeted it from afar
and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come,
they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
of whom it was said,
Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and maker is God.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
All these died in faith.
They did not receive what had been promised
but saw it and greeted it from afar
and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come,
they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
of whom it was said,
Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Responsorial PsalmLK 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
R. (see 68) Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has
come to his people.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old.
that he would save us from our sins
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the bonds of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old.
that he would save us from our sins
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the bonds of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
AlleluiaJN 3:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 4:35-41
On that day, as
evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Meditation:
"Why are you afraid?"
How can we fight fear with faith? Jesus' sleeping presence
on the storm-tossed sea reveals the sleeping faith of his disciples. They
feared for their lives even though their Lord and Master was with them in the
boat. They were asleep to Christ while he was present to them in their hour of
need. The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the
same question: Why are you afraid? Have you no faith? Do you
recognize the Lord's presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of
adversity, sorrow, and temptation? Whenever we encounter trouble, the Lord is
there with the same reassuring message: "It is I, do not be
afraid."
What are the characteristics of faith and how can we grow in
it? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Believing is only
possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who
opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has
revealed to us. Faith enables us to relate to God rightly and confidently, with
trust and reliance, by believing and adhering to his word, because he is
utterly reliable and trustworthy. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in
faith, then it must be nourished with the word of God.
Fear does not need to cripple us from taking right action or
rob us of our trust and reliance on God. Courage working with faith enables us
to embrace God's word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with
firm hope in God's promises. The love of God strengthens us in our faith and
trust in him and enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our
neighbor even in the face of opposition or harm. Do you allow the love of
Christ to rule in your heart and mind, and to move your will to choose what is
good in accordance with his will?
"Lord Jesus, increase my faith in your redeeming love
and power that I may always recognize your abiding presence with me. And give
me courage to do your will in all circumstances."
 On the Way There |
January 31, 2015. Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
|
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them,
"Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him
with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A
violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was
already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke
him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are
perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet!
Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them,
"Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were
filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom
even wind and sea obey?"
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe that you
are in my boat. I want a stronger faith in you. I trust that you will lead
me, sinful though I am, to your good harbor. I love you for always
accompanying me in this life.
Petition: Lord, help me to grow in faith.
1. Crossing to the Other Side: We know
that we will not remain on earth forever. There is another shore that is our
home. Christ has come to remind us of this and show us how to get to that
place. Do I take Christ into my boat and let him indicate what I must do in
my life? Or do I hold myself back, not accepting the adventure of putting out
into the deep with Christ? What is it that holds me back?
2. Teacher, We Are Perishing! Christ
allows our boat to be tossed by difficulties that sometimes seem
insurmountable. Having him in our boat is not a guarantee that things will go
smoothly. We need to discover that he is working in the midst of
difficulties. We need to ask what he is teaching us. If in the midst of
trials we are drawing closer to him, there can be a real grace working. Yet
many times we find that we let our confidence in him slip when things get
rough. We have not yet learned that “all things work together for good for
those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
3. The Lord of the Wind and the Sea: We
need to keep in mind that Christ has the ultimate victory. He allows
difficulties so that we can grow in abandoning ourselves to him. When life
hurts and it makes no sense, we need to deepen our faith in the One who has
conquered sin and death. He will write the final chapter in our life. He will
bring us to the safe harbor. We can bolster our faith in him today by keeping
our eyes on his promises and his presence. We can renew our confidence that
he will not let our prayers go unanswered but will respond in his time with a
power and efficacy beyond what we expect. In continuing to sail this boat in
the midst of the storm, we are giving him the total control over our destiny.
We can be in no safer hands.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know that
when you allow difficulties in my life you are trying to strengthen my faith
and make me see that I need to turn to you. Help me take advantage of these
difficulties so I might abandon myself more totally to you. I want to learn
to trust you as the Lord of my life. Bring me to safe harbor.
Resolution: I will analyze one of the greater
difficulties in my life and see where I need to apply greater trust in God.
|
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, MARK 4:35-41
(Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Psalm: Luke 1)
KEY VERSE: "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" (v 40).
TO KNOW: In Mark's gospel, Jesus' disciples had difficulty understanding his true identity. Jesus had been teaching them by means of parables (4:1-34). Now he taught them with a parable in action. Fatigued by a long day of teaching, Jesus took his disciples in a boat across the lake to rest. While Jesus sought a moment of sleep in the stern of the boat, a storm suddenly arose and threatened to capsize the craft. The disciples cried out in terror, chastising Jesus for seeming to be unconcerned for their safety. Jesus demonstrated his power over the elements. With the same power that God used in creation when a "mighty wind swept over the waters" (Gn 1:2), Jesus spoke a word of command and the wind and the sea became tranquil. Jesus then calmed the fear in his disciples’ hearts and they were in awe of him whom the wind and the seas obeyed.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to know you are present in all the storms of my life.
TO SERVE: How can I speak God's peace to a troubled world?
(Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Psalm: Luke 1)
KEY VERSE: "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" (v 40).
TO KNOW: In Mark's gospel, Jesus' disciples had difficulty understanding his true identity. Jesus had been teaching them by means of parables (4:1-34). Now he taught them with a parable in action. Fatigued by a long day of teaching, Jesus took his disciples in a boat across the lake to rest. While Jesus sought a moment of sleep in the stern of the boat, a storm suddenly arose and threatened to capsize the craft. The disciples cried out in terror, chastising Jesus for seeming to be unconcerned for their safety. Jesus demonstrated his power over the elements. With the same power that God used in creation when a "mighty wind swept over the waters" (Gn 1:2), Jesus spoke a word of command and the wind and the sea became tranquil. Jesus then calmed the fear in his disciples’ hearts and they were in awe of him whom the wind and the seas obeyed.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to know you are present in all the storms of my life.
TO SERVE: How can I speak God's peace to a troubled world?
Saturday 31 January 2015
St John Bosco.
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people. Luke 1:69-75. Mark 4:35-41.
Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people. Luke 1:69-75. Mark 4:35-41.
‘Who can this be? Even the
wind and the sea obey him.’
In calming the turbulence
of the lake, Jesus was teaching his disciples a profound lesson. From the
psalms they would have been familiar with words such as: ‘You still the roaring
of the seas, the roaring of their waves’ (Ps 65:8) and ‘The Lord hushed the
storm to a murmur; the waves of the sea were stilled’ (Ps 107:29).
In silencing the tumult,
Jesus was doing what God alone could do. No wonder the disciples were filled
with awe. Their response recalls the words of the psalmist: ‘Lord, God of hosts
… You rule the raging sea; you still its swelling waves’ (Ps 89:9a, 10).
With the trust of the
Breton fishermen, we pray: ‘Protect me, O Lord, for my boat is so small and
your sea is so wide.’
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Perfecting Ourselves
|
How do you expect to reach your own perfection by leading someone
else’s life? His sanctity will never be yours; you must have the humility to
work out your own salvation in a darkness where you are absolutely alone.
January 31
St. John Bosco
(1815-1888)
St. John Bosco
(1815-1888)
John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in today’s
schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting corporal punishment and placing
students in surroundings removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He
advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion.
He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, seeking to unite the
spiritual life with one’s work, study and play.
Encouraged
during his youth to become a priest so he could work with young boys, John was
ordained in 1841. His service to young people started when he met a poor orphan
and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then
gathered young apprentices and taught them catechism.
After
serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, John opened the Oratory of
St. Francis de Sales for boys. Several wealthy and powerful patrons contributed
money, enabling him to provide two workshops for the boys, shoemaking and
tailoring.
By 1856,
the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a printing press for
publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. His interest in vocational
education and publishing justify him as patron of young apprentices and
Catholic publishers.
John’s
preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own helpers because of
difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854 he and his followers
informally banded together, inspired by St. Francis de Sales [January 24].
With Pope
Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in
1859. Their activity concentrated on education and mission work. Later, he
organized a group of Salesian Sisters to assist girls.
Comment:
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.
John Bosco educated the whole person—body and soul united. He believed that Christ’s love and our faith in that love should pervade everything we do—work, study, play. For John Bosco, being a Christian was a full-time effort, not a once-a-week, Mass-on-Sunday experience. It is searching and finding God and Jesus in everything we do, letting their love lead us. Yet, because John realized the importance of job-training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability, he trained his students in the trade crafts, too.
Quote:
“Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not education at all” (G.K. Chesterton, The Common Man).
“Every education teaches a philosophy; if not by dogma then by suggestion, by implication, by atmosphere. Every part of that education has a connection with every other part. If it does not all combine to convey some general view of life, it is not education at all” (G.K. Chesterton, The Common Man).
Patron Saint of:
Boys
Editors
Youth
Boys
Editors
Youth
LECTIO DIVINA:
MARK 4,35-41
Lectio:
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel reading - Mark 4,35-41
With the coming of evening that same day, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a great gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost!' And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Be calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm. Then he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith?' They were overcome with awe and said to one another, 'Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.'
With the coming of evening that same day, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let us cross over to the other side.' And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a great gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost!' And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Be calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm. Then he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith?' They were overcome with awe and said to one another, 'Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today describes the storm in the lake and Jesus who sleeps in the boat. Sometimes our communities feel like a small boat lost in the sea of life, without much hope of arriving to the port. Jesus seems to be sleeping in our boat, since no divine power seems to appear to save us from the difficulties and the persecution. In view of this desperate situation, Mark puts together several episodes which reveal how Jesus is present in the midst of the community. In the parables the mystery of the Kingdom is revealed which is present in the things of daily life (Mk 4, 1-34). Now he begins to reveal the Mystery of the Kingdom present in the power which Jesus exercises in favour of the disciples, in favour of the people and, above all, in favour of the excluded and marginalized. Jesus overcomes, dominates the sea, a symbol of chaos (Mk 4, 35-41). ¡A creating power acts in him! Jesus conquers and drives out the devil (Mk 5, 1-20). The power of life acts in him! ¡He is the victorious Jesus! There is no reason for the communities to be fear (Mk 5, 21-43). This is the reason for this passage of the storm calmed by Jesus on which we are meditating today in the Gospel.
• Mark 4, 35-36: The starting point: “Let us cross over to the other side”. It had been a heavy day, with much work. Once the discourse on the parables was finished (Mk 4, 1-34), Jesus said: “Let us cross over to the other side!” They take him on the boat just as he was, the boat from which he had made the discourse of the Parables. Because he was extremely tired, he went to sleep on the stern, his head on the cushion! This is the first picture or image which Mark presents. A beautiful painting, but very human!
• Mark 4, 37-38: The desperate situation: “Do you not care? We are lost!” The Lake of Galilee is surrounded by mountains. Sometimes, through the cracks in the rocks, the wind blows on top of the lake and provokes sudden storms. A very strong wind, the agitated sea, the boat full of water! The disciples were experienced fishermen. If they think that they are going to sink then the situation is really dangerous. Jesus does not even wake up, he continues to sleep. This profound sleep is not only a sign of great fatigue; it is also the expression of a calm peaceful trust which he has in God. The contrast between the attitude of Jesus and that of the disciples is very great!
• Mark 4, 39-40: The reaction of Jesus: “Have you still no faith?” Jesus wakes up, not because of the waves, but because of the desperate cry of the disciples. First, he addresses himself to the sea and says: “Quiet now!” And the wind dropped and there followed great calm. Then he spoke to the disciples and said: “Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith?” The impression that one has is that it is not necessary to calm down the sea, since there was no danger. It is like when you go to a house and the dog, at the side of his master, begins to bark. One should not be afraid because the dog is with the master who controls the situation. The episode of the storm which was calmed recalls Exodus, when the people, without fear, passed through the water of the sea (EX 14, 22). It recalls the Prophet Isaiah who told the people: “If you go across the water I will be with you!” (Is 43, 2) Jesus does the exodus again and carries out the prophecy announced by Psalm 107 (106), 25-30.
• Mark 4, 41: The disciples did not know: “Who can this be?” Jesus calms the sea and says: “Have you still no faith?” The disciples did not know what to respond and they ask themselves: “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him”. Jesus appears as a stranger to them! In spite of the fact of having been with him for such a long time, they do not know well who he is. Who can this be? With this question in mid, the communities follow the reading of the Gospel. Y even today, this is the same question which leads us to continue reading the Gospel. It is the desire to know always better the significance of Jesus for our life.
• Who is Jesus? Mark begins his Gospel saying: “The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1, 1). At the end, at the moment of his death, the soldier declared: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15, 39). At the beginning and at the end of the Gospel, Jesus is called the Son of God. Between the beginning and the end, there are many other names of Jesus which appear. The following is the list: Messiah or Christ (Mk 1, 1; 8, 29; 14, 61; 15, 32); Lord (Mk 1, 3; 5, 19; 11, 3); Beloved Son (Mk 1, 11; 9, 7); the Holy one of God (Mk 1, 24); Nazarene (Mk 1, 24; 10, 47; 14, 67; 16, 6); Son of Man (Mk 2, 10.28; 8, 31.38; 9, 9.12.31; 10, 33.45; 13, 26; 14, 21.21.41.62); Bridegroom (Mk 2, 19); Son of God (Mk 3, 11); Son of the Highest God (Mk 5, 7); Carpenter (Mc 6, 3); Son of Mary (Mk 6, 3); Prophet (Mk 6, 4.15; 8, 28); Teacher (frequent); Son of David (Mk 10, 47.48; 12, 35-37); Blessed (Mk 11, 9); Son (Mc 13, 32); Shepherd (Mk 14, 27); Son of the Blessed One (Mk 14, 61); King of the Jews (Mk 15, 2.9.18. 26); King of Israel (Mk 15, 32),
Each name, title or attribute is an attempt to express what Jesus signifies for persons. But a name, no matter how beautiful it is, never reveals the mystery of a person, much less of the person of Jesus. Besides this, some of these names given to Jesus, including the more important ones and the more traditional, are questioned, doubted by Mark the Evangelist. Thus, as we advance in the reading of the Gospel, Mark obliges us to revise our ideas and to ask ourselves, once again: “In last instance, who is Jesus for me, for us?” The more we advance in the reading of the Gospel of Mark, the more these titles and criteria fall. Jesus does not fit into anyone of these names, in no schema, in no title. He is the greatest! Little by little, the reader gives up and ceases to want to frame up Jesus in a known concept or in an idea made up beforehand, and accepts him as he is presented. Love seduces, but not the head, NO!
• The Gospel today describes the storm in the lake and Jesus who sleeps in the boat. Sometimes our communities feel like a small boat lost in the sea of life, without much hope of arriving to the port. Jesus seems to be sleeping in our boat, since no divine power seems to appear to save us from the difficulties and the persecution. In view of this desperate situation, Mark puts together several episodes which reveal how Jesus is present in the midst of the community. In the parables the mystery of the Kingdom is revealed which is present in the things of daily life (Mk 4, 1-34). Now he begins to reveal the Mystery of the Kingdom present in the power which Jesus exercises in favour of the disciples, in favour of the people and, above all, in favour of the excluded and marginalized. Jesus overcomes, dominates the sea, a symbol of chaos (Mk 4, 35-41). ¡A creating power acts in him! Jesus conquers and drives out the devil (Mk 5, 1-20). The power of life acts in him! ¡He is the victorious Jesus! There is no reason for the communities to be fear (Mk 5, 21-43). This is the reason for this passage of the storm calmed by Jesus on which we are meditating today in the Gospel.
• Mark 4, 35-36: The starting point: “Let us cross over to the other side”. It had been a heavy day, with much work. Once the discourse on the parables was finished (Mk 4, 1-34), Jesus said: “Let us cross over to the other side!” They take him on the boat just as he was, the boat from which he had made the discourse of the Parables. Because he was extremely tired, he went to sleep on the stern, his head on the cushion! This is the first picture or image which Mark presents. A beautiful painting, but very human!
• Mark 4, 37-38: The desperate situation: “Do you not care? We are lost!” The Lake of Galilee is surrounded by mountains. Sometimes, through the cracks in the rocks, the wind blows on top of the lake and provokes sudden storms. A very strong wind, the agitated sea, the boat full of water! The disciples were experienced fishermen. If they think that they are going to sink then the situation is really dangerous. Jesus does not even wake up, he continues to sleep. This profound sleep is not only a sign of great fatigue; it is also the expression of a calm peaceful trust which he has in God. The contrast between the attitude of Jesus and that of the disciples is very great!
• Mark 4, 39-40: The reaction of Jesus: “Have you still no faith?” Jesus wakes up, not because of the waves, but because of the desperate cry of the disciples. First, he addresses himself to the sea and says: “Quiet now!” And the wind dropped and there followed great calm. Then he spoke to the disciples and said: “Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith?” The impression that one has is that it is not necessary to calm down the sea, since there was no danger. It is like when you go to a house and the dog, at the side of his master, begins to bark. One should not be afraid because the dog is with the master who controls the situation. The episode of the storm which was calmed recalls Exodus, when the people, without fear, passed through the water of the sea (EX 14, 22). It recalls the Prophet Isaiah who told the people: “If you go across the water I will be with you!” (Is 43, 2) Jesus does the exodus again and carries out the prophecy announced by Psalm 107 (106), 25-30.
• Mark 4, 41: The disciples did not know: “Who can this be?” Jesus calms the sea and says: “Have you still no faith?” The disciples did not know what to respond and they ask themselves: “Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him”. Jesus appears as a stranger to them! In spite of the fact of having been with him for such a long time, they do not know well who he is. Who can this be? With this question in mid, the communities follow the reading of the Gospel. Y even today, this is the same question which leads us to continue reading the Gospel. It is the desire to know always better the significance of Jesus for our life.
• Who is Jesus? Mark begins his Gospel saying: “The beginning of the Gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mk 1, 1). At the end, at the moment of his death, the soldier declared: “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15, 39). At the beginning and at the end of the Gospel, Jesus is called the Son of God. Between the beginning and the end, there are many other names of Jesus which appear. The following is the list: Messiah or Christ (Mk 1, 1; 8, 29; 14, 61; 15, 32); Lord (Mk 1, 3; 5, 19; 11, 3); Beloved Son (Mk 1, 11; 9, 7); the Holy one of God (Mk 1, 24); Nazarene (Mk 1, 24; 10, 47; 14, 67; 16, 6); Son of Man (Mk 2, 10.28; 8, 31.38; 9, 9.12.31; 10, 33.45; 13, 26; 14, 21.21.41.62); Bridegroom (Mk 2, 19); Son of God (Mk 3, 11); Son of the Highest God (Mk 5, 7); Carpenter (Mc 6, 3); Son of Mary (Mk 6, 3); Prophet (Mk 6, 4.15; 8, 28); Teacher (frequent); Son of David (Mk 10, 47.48; 12, 35-37); Blessed (Mk 11, 9); Son (Mc 13, 32); Shepherd (Mk 14, 27); Son of the Blessed One (Mk 14, 61); King of the Jews (Mk 15, 2.9.18. 26); King of Israel (Mk 15, 32),
Each name, title or attribute is an attempt to express what Jesus signifies for persons. But a name, no matter how beautiful it is, never reveals the mystery of a person, much less of the person of Jesus. Besides this, some of these names given to Jesus, including the more important ones and the more traditional, are questioned, doubted by Mark the Evangelist. Thus, as we advance in the reading of the Gospel, Mark obliges us to revise our ideas and to ask ourselves, once again: “In last instance, who is Jesus for me, for us?” The more we advance in the reading of the Gospel of Mark, the more these titles and criteria fall. Jesus does not fit into anyone of these names, in no schema, in no title. He is the greatest! Little by little, the reader gives up and ceases to want to frame up Jesus in a known concept or in an idea made up beforehand, and accepts him as he is presented. Love seduces, but not the head, NO!
4) Personal questions
• The waters of the sea of life, have they threatened you sometimes? Who saved you?
• Which was the agitated sea at the time of Jesus? Which was the agitated sea at the time when Mark wrote his Gospel? Which is, today, the agitated sea for us?
• The waters of the sea of life, have they threatened you sometimes? Who saved you?
• Which was the agitated sea at the time of Jesus? Which was the agitated sea at the time when Mark wrote his Gospel? Which is, today, the agitated sea for us?
5) Concluding prayer
God, create in me a clean heart,
renew within me a resolute spirit,
do not thrust me away from your presence,
do not take away from me your spirit of holiness. (Ps 51,10-11)
God, create in me a clean heart,
renew within me a resolute spirit,
do not thrust me away from your presence,
do not take away from me your spirit of holiness. (Ps 51,10-11)
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