Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 101
Lectionary: 101
As the LORD spoke
to me, the spirit entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
Responsorial PsalmPS 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for
his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Reading 22 COR 12:7-10
Brothers and
sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness.”
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
AlleluiaCF. LUKE 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 6:1-6
Jesus departed from
there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Scripture Study
July 5, 2015 Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time
This weekend, the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary
Time, the readings remind us of the important fact that God chooses whomever He
wishes, whether we agree with His choice or not. In the first reading, Ezekiel
is told to deliver the word of God to the people whether they heed it or resist
it. This is difficult. In order to do it, the prophet must always be aware that
the message he delivers is not his own but God’s. In the Gospel, Jesus receives
a cool welcome when He dares to bring God’s message to the people of His
hometown. Their familiarity with Him is an obstacle. Mark teaches us that
without faith it is impossible to be aware of the truth and the sacred in our
midst. Paul tells us of his problems and in his weakness he relies on God’s
power and strength.
First Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5
2 As he spoke to me, spirit entered into me and set me on my
feet, and I heard the one who was speaking 3 say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have revolted
against me to this very day. 4 Hard of face and
obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them:
Thus says the Lord GOD! 5 And whether they
heed or resist–for they are a rebellious house–they shall know that a prophet
has been among them.
NOTES on First Reading:
* 2:2 Spirit means the vital power that comes
from God and enables the prophet to hear the word of God. See Ezekiel 8:3;
9:24; 11:1.
* 2:3 The term, “son of man” is used over 90
times in Ezekiel. It is the common way that God addresses him. The term
stresses the difference between the Divine Being who speaks and the human who
hears.
* 2:5 Ezekiel ends nearly all his oracles with a
recognition statement like this one. Whether they listen or not the people will
recognize that Yahweh has done something.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
7 Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in
the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being
too elated. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this,
that it might leave me, 9 but he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will
rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ
may dwell with me. 10 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses,
insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for
when I am weak, then I am strong.
NOTES on Second Reading:
* 12:7 The “thorn in the flesh” has been
variously interpreted as a sickness or physical disability, a temptation, or a
handicap connected with his apostolic activity. However, since Hebrew “thorn in
the flesh,” like English “thorn in my side,” usually refers to persons (Numbers
33:55; Ezekiel 28:24), Paul may be referring to some especially persistent and
obnoxious opponent. The language here also permits this interpretation. Paul
may well be referring to his opposition using the image of one individual who
embodies all the qualities Paul attributes to the group aligned against him.
The term, angel of Satan, means a personal messenger from Satan. The satanic
language was already applied to his opponents in 2 Cor 11:3,13-15,20.
* 12:9 In Paul’s weakness the strength of Jesus
may be manifest.
* 12:10 Paul does not mean that weakness is
power or that the weak will become powerful as in Luke 1:46-55. Jesus is the
model for a double pattern in the resolution of the weakness-power (and
death-life) dialectic which Paul uses. The first is a personal reversal in
himself (said of Jesus in 2 Cor 13:4a; of Paul in 2 Cor 1:9-10; 4:10-11; 6:9).
The second is an apostolic effect on others (said of Jesus in 2 Cor 5:14-15; of
Paul in 2 Cor 1:6; 4:12; 13:9).
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6
1 He departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the sabbath
came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were
astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom
has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of
James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And
they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to
them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his
own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able
to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying
his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. He
went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.
NOTES on Gospel:
* 6:1 The Greek word can mean “native land” but
here refers to Nazareth. There is a contrast that is suggested between the
disciples who follow Jesus and the people of His hometown who reject Him.
* 6:2 The description of Jesus as teacher echoes
back to 1:21-28. The initial reaction of the people is surprise. They ask about
the source of His wisdom and power in terms of His instructor but the source of
both is God.
* 6:3 This is the only gospel that calls Jesus a
carpenter. Some manuscripts have “son of the carpenter” as in Mt 13:55.
The Jewish custom is to refer to a man as the
son of his father. Here Mark reports the use of the words, “son of Mary.” This
is unusual and some have suggested that it may reflect Mark’s faith that Jesus
is the Son of God rather than the son of Joseph. Others have suggested that the
expression indicates that Joseph was dead when this event occurred. Many
scholars think that it may have been intended as an insult to Him by the people
who said it, since it may hint that the identity of His father is questionable.
In Aramaic and Hebrew the terms, brother and
sister, are used for cousins and other close relatives as well as real brothers
and sisters. As far back as can be traced the Church has held that Jesus was
the one and only child of Mary. It was not until relatively modern times that
this was even questioned.
The residents of Nazareth could not see past the
familiarity to the reality of who Jesus is.
The Greek word used here means a worker in wood
but it does not simply mean a joiner of wood but a craftsman.
* 6:4 Jesus uses an adaptation of a common
saying that has parallels in both Jewish and Greek literature although they
don’t mention prophets specifically.
* 6:5 For Mark, faith was extremely important.
When the people lack the faith to ask, even God will do little for them.
Courtesy
of: http://st-raymond-dublin.org/ -
St. Raymond Catholic Church
Meditation: Jesus marveled because of their
unbelief
Are you critical towards
others, especially those who may be close to you? The most severe critics are
often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, or
neighbor or co-worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a
severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's
son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus
to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to
read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks
listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the
miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his
hometown?
Jesus startled his familiar
audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive
honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and
refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he
was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a
scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished
family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty
works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards
him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they
will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and
accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?
The word
"gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied
that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to
the afflicted who suffered from physical, mental, or spiritual oppression (see
Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free - not only from their physical,
mental, and spiritual infirmities - but also from the worst affliction of all -
the tyranny of slavery to sin, Satan, and the fear of losing one's life. God's
power alone can save us from hopelessness, dejection, and emptiness of life.
The Gospel of salvation is "good news" for everyone who will receive
it. Do you know the joy and freedom of the Gospel?
"Lord Jesus, you are
the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings grace, truth,
freedom, and abundant life. Set my heart on fire with your love and
truth."
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, JULY 5, MARK 6:1-6a
(Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
SUNDAY, JULY 5, MARK 6:1-6a
(Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
KEY VERSE: "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house" (v 4).
TO KNOW: When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, his neighbors were astonished by his teachings. They wondered where he acquired his wisdom and amazing power. They asked many questions: Who did Jesus think he was? Wasn't he a mere carpenter? (Greek, tekton, a "craftsman") Didn't his mother and family live in their community? Jesus was distressed that his neighbors were offended by him. Moses had promised the people that there would be a great prophet who would arise among their own kinsmen, and that they would listen to him (Dt 18:15). But Jesus declared, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house" (v 4). Like the prophets of old, Jesus was not accepted by those to whom he was sent. Because they lacked faith, Jesus was able to perform only a few miracles among his own kin.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be open to your voice in my neighbors and family.
TO SERVE: Do I recognize the gifts of the people in my community?
Sunday 5 July 2015
4th
Sunday in Ordinary Time. Ezekiel 2:2-5. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord,
pleading for his mercy—Ps 122(123). 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Mark 6:1-6.
‘My power
is at its best in weakness.’
Over and
over we are reminded that to be a Christian is to make ourselves vulnerable.
There is often something inside us that rebels against this and wants to put up
a shell or facade to protect ourselves, or to try to take control.
But, as
we are reminded in the first reading, those who are hard of heart have turned
away from God and need to be reminded of what their God expects of them.
Sometimes to ‘let go and let God’ can be incredibly liberating.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Light in the Darkness
|
Lord, help me make my life more about you and less about me. May
others see you in me—your image and likeness. Teach me ways to increase my time
with you, my service to others, and my love for my family, for strangers, and
for the poor. You are the light in the darkness. With each new day, may we be
light to one another.
July
5
St. Anthony Zaccaria
(1502-1539)
St. Anthony Zaccaria
(1502-1539)
At the same time that Martin Luther was attacking abuses in the
Church, a reformation within the Church was already being attempted. Among the
early movers of the Counter-Reformation was Anthony Zaccaria. His mother became
a widow at 18 and devoted herself to the spiritual education of her son. He
received a medical doctorate at 22 and, while working among the poor of his
native Cremona in Italy, was attracted to the religious apostolate. He
renounced his rights to any future inheritance, worked as a catechist and was
ordained a priest at the age of 26. Called to Milan in a few years, he laid the
foundations of three religious congregations, one for men and one for
women, plus an association of married couples. Their aim was the reform of
the decadent society of their day, beginning with the clergy, religious
and lay people.
Greatly
inspired by St. Paul (his congregation is named the Barnabites, after the
companion of that saint), Anthony preached with great vigor in church and street,
conducted popular missions and was not ashamed of doing public penance.
He
encouraged such innovations as the collaboration of the laity in the
apostolate, frequent Communion, the Forty Hours devotion and the ringing of
church bells at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays.
His
holiness moved many to reform their lives but, as with all saints, it also
moved many to oppose him. Twice his community had to undergo official religious
investigation, and twice it was exonerated.
While on
a mission of peace, he became seriously ill and was brought home for a visit to
his mother. He died at Cremona at the age of 36.
Comment:
The austerity of Anthony's spirituality and the Pauline ardor of his preaching would probably "turn off" many people today. When even some psychiatrists complain at the lack of a sense of sin, it may be time to tell ourselves that not all evil is explained by emotional disorder, subconscious and unconscious drives, parental influence and so on. The old-time "hell and damnation" mission sermons have given way to positive, encouraging, biblical homilies. We do indeed need assurance of forgiveness, relief from existential anxiety and future shock. But we still need prophets to stand up and tell us, "If we say 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
The austerity of Anthony's spirituality and the Pauline ardor of his preaching would probably "turn off" many people today. When even some psychiatrists complain at the lack of a sense of sin, it may be time to tell ourselves that not all evil is explained by emotional disorder, subconscious and unconscious drives, parental influence and so on. The old-time "hell and damnation" mission sermons have given way to positive, encouraging, biblical homilies. We do indeed need assurance of forgiveness, relief from existential anxiety and future shock. But we still need prophets to stand up and tell us, "If we say 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
Quote:
''I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths" (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
''I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths" (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
LECTIO: 14TH
SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, July 5, 2015
In Nazareth, where there was no faith,
Jesus could work no miracles!
Everybody’s Mission: to recreate the community
Mark 6, 1-6
Jesus could work no miracles!
Everybody’s Mission: to recreate the community
Mark 6, 1-6
1. Opening prayer
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
2. Reading
a) A key to the reading:
In this 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Church
places us before the rejection of Jesus on the part of the people of Nazareth.
Passing through Nazareth was painful for Jesus. That which was his first
community, now it is not longer such. Something has changed. Those who first
accepted him, now reject him. As we will see later, this experience of
rejection led Jesus to go ahead and to change his way of acting.
Has something changed in your relationship with your family or with your friends, since you began to participate in the community? Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to have greater trust in persons, especially in the simplest and poorest persons?
Has something changed in your relationship with your family or with your friends, since you began to participate in the community? Has participation in the community helped you to accept and to have greater trust in persons, especially in the simplest and poorest persons?
b) A division of the text to help in the reading:
Mark 6,1: Jesus arrives to Nazareth, his community of origin
Mark 6, 2-3: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus
Mark 6, 4: The way in which Jesus accepts the criticism
Mark 6, 5-6: The lack of faith prevents him from working the miracle
Mark 6, 2-3: The reaction of the people of Nazareth before Jesus
Mark 6, 4: The way in which Jesus accepts the criticism
Mark 6, 5-6: The lack of faith prevents him from working the miracle
c) The text:
1 Leaving that district, he went to his home town, and his
disciples accompanied him. 2 With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching
in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They
said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been
granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? 3 This is the
carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and
Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept
him. 4 And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country,
among his own relations and in his own house'; 5 and he could work no miracle
there, except that he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He
was amazed at their lack of faith. He made a tour round the villages, teaching.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
so that the Word of God may penetrate and enlighten our life.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) Which is the part of this text which you have liked the most
and what impressed you most? Why?
b) Which is the attitude of Nazareth before Jesus? Why do they not believe in him?
c) Because of the lack of faith of the people, Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth. Why is faith so important? Would it be that Jesus cannot work miracles without the faith of persons?
d) Which are the elements which have to characterize the mission of the disciples?
e) Which is the point of the mission of the apostles which today has greatest importance for us? Why?
b) Which is the attitude of Nazareth before Jesus? Why do they not believe in him?
c) Because of the lack of faith of the people, Jesus cannot work many miracles in Nazareth. Why is faith so important? Would it be that Jesus cannot work miracles without the faith of persons?
d) Which are the elements which have to characterize the mission of the disciples?
e) Which is the point of the mission of the apostles which today has greatest importance for us? Why?
5. For those who wish to deepen more into the theme
a) Context of yesterday and of today:
i) Throughout the pages of his Gospel, Mark indicates that the
presence and actions of Jesus constitute a growing source of joy for some and a
reason of rejection for others. The conflict grows, the mystery of God appears
which envelopes the person of Jesus. With chapter 6 of the narrative we find
ourselves before a curve. The people of Nazareth close themselves up before
Jesus (Mk 6, 1-6). And Jesus, before this closing up of the people of his
community, opens himself to the people of another community. He directs himself
toward the people of Galilee and sends his disciples on mission, teaching them
how the relationship should be with the persons, so that it will be a true
community relationship, which does not exclude as it happens among the people
of Nazareth (Mk 6, 7-13).
ii) When Mark writes his Gospel, the Christian communities lived
in a difficult situation, without horizons. Humanly speaking there was no
future for them. The description of the conflict which Jesus lives in Nazareth
and in the sending out of the disciples, which extends the mission, makes it
creative. For those who believe in Jesus there can be no situation without a
horizon.
b) Commentary on the text
Mark 6, 1-3. Reactions of the people of Nazareth before
Jesus
It is always good to go back to our own land. After a long absence, Jesus also goes back and, as usual, on Saturday he goes to a meeting of the community. Jesus was not the coordinator, but just the same he speaks. This is a sign that the persons could participate and express their opinion. But the people did not like the words pronounced by Jesus, they were scandalized. Jesus, who was known to them since he was a child, how is it that now he is so different? The people of Capernaum had accepted the teaching of Jesus (Mark 1, 22), but the people of Nazareth remained scandalized and had not accepted it. Which was the reason for this rejection? “Is this not the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary?” They did not accept God’s mystery present in such a common person, one like themselves! In order to be able to speak of God, he would have to be different from them!
The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes much polemics between Catholics and Protestants. Basing themselves on this and in other texts, the Protestants say that Jesus had more brothers and sisters and that Mary had more children! We Catholics say that Mary did not have other children. What can we think about this? In the first place, the two positions, that of Catholics and that of the Protestants, take arguments from the Bible and from the ancient Tradition from their respective Churches. For this reason, it is not convenient to discuss these questions using rational arguments, which are the fruit of our own ideas. It is a question of deep convictions which have something to do with faith and the sentiment of the people.
The argument supported by ideas alone does not succeed to bring about a conviction of faith the roots of which are found in the heart! It only irritates and disturbs! But even if I do not agree with the opinion of the other one, I must always respect it. In the second place, instead of discussing around the texts, all of us, Catholics and Protestants, should unite much more to fight in the defence of life, created by God, a life which is so transfigured by poverty, injustice, the lack of faith. We should remember other words of Jesus: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (Jn 10, 10). “So that all may be one, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me” (Jn 17, 21). “You must not stop him. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mk 9, 39, 40).
It is always good to go back to our own land. After a long absence, Jesus also goes back and, as usual, on Saturday he goes to a meeting of the community. Jesus was not the coordinator, but just the same he speaks. This is a sign that the persons could participate and express their opinion. But the people did not like the words pronounced by Jesus, they were scandalized. Jesus, who was known to them since he was a child, how is it that now he is so different? The people of Capernaum had accepted the teaching of Jesus (Mark 1, 22), but the people of Nazareth remained scandalized and had not accepted it. Which was the reason for this rejection? “Is this not the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary?” They did not accept God’s mystery present in such a common person, one like themselves! In order to be able to speak of God, he would have to be different from them!
The expression “brothers of Jesus” causes much polemics between Catholics and Protestants. Basing themselves on this and in other texts, the Protestants say that Jesus had more brothers and sisters and that Mary had more children! We Catholics say that Mary did not have other children. What can we think about this? In the first place, the two positions, that of Catholics and that of the Protestants, take arguments from the Bible and from the ancient Tradition from their respective Churches. For this reason, it is not convenient to discuss these questions using rational arguments, which are the fruit of our own ideas. It is a question of deep convictions which have something to do with faith and the sentiment of the people.
The argument supported by ideas alone does not succeed to bring about a conviction of faith the roots of which are found in the heart! It only irritates and disturbs! But even if I do not agree with the opinion of the other one, I must always respect it. In the second place, instead of discussing around the texts, all of us, Catholics and Protestants, should unite much more to fight in the defence of life, created by God, a life which is so transfigured by poverty, injustice, the lack of faith. We should remember other words of Jesus: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (Jn 10, 10). “So that all may be one, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me” (Jn 17, 21). “You must not stop him. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (Mk 9, 39, 40).
Mark 6, 4-6b. Reactions of Jesus before the attitude of
the people of Nazareth
Jesus knows very well that “the saint of the house does not work miracles”. And he says: “A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house!” In fact, there where faith is not accepted, people can do nothing. The prejudice prevents it. Jesus, even if he wanted, can do nothing and remains surprised before their lack of faith.
Jesus knows very well that “the saint of the house does not work miracles”. And he says: “A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house!” In fact, there where faith is not accepted, people can do nothing. The prejudice prevents it. Jesus, even if he wanted, can do nothing and remains surprised before their lack of faith.
c) Information on the Gospel of Mark:
This year the Liturgy presents us in a particular way the Gospel
of Mark. Because of this it is worth while to give some information which will
help us to discover better the message which Mark wants to communicate to us.
· The design of the face of God on the wall of the
Gospel of Mark
Jesus dies approximately in the year 33. When Mark writes his
Gospel about the year 70, the Christian communities lived already dispersed in
the Roman Empire. Some say that Mark writes for the community of Italy. Others
say that he does it for those of Syria. It is difficult to know it with
certainty. Nevertheless, one thing is certain. The problems were not lacking:
the Roman Empire persecuted the Christians, the propaganda of the Empire
infiltrated itself in the communities, the Jews from Palestine rebelled against
the Roman invasion, there were internal tensions due to a diverse tendency,
doctrine and heads…
Mark writes his Gospel to help the communities to find a response to the problems and concerns they have. He collects various episodes and parables of Jesus and joins them together as bricks on a wall. The bricks were already ancient and known. They came from the community, where they were transmitted orally in the meetings and celebrations. The design formed by the bricks was new. It came from Mark, from his experience of Jesus. He wanted that the community, reading what Jesus did and said, would find a response to these questions: “Who is Jesus for us and who are we for Jesus? How can we be his disciples? How can we proclaim the Good News of God, that he has revealed? How can we travel on the path that he traced?
Mark writes his Gospel to help the communities to find a response to the problems and concerns they have. He collects various episodes and parables of Jesus and joins them together as bricks on a wall. The bricks were already ancient and known. They came from the community, where they were transmitted orally in the meetings and celebrations. The design formed by the bricks was new. It came from Mark, from his experience of Jesus. He wanted that the community, reading what Jesus did and said, would find a response to these questions: “Who is Jesus for us and who are we for Jesus? How can we be his disciples? How can we proclaim the Good News of God, that he has revealed? How can we travel on the path that he traced?
· Three keys to understand the division of the Gospel of
Mark
1st Key: The Gospel of Mark was written to be read and listened to in community. When
a book is read alone, one can always turn back, to join one thing to another,
but when one is in community and a person is reading the Gospel before us, it
is not possible to say: “Stop! Read again once more! I did not understand
well!” As we shall see, a book written to be listened to in the community
celebrations has a different way of dividing the theme from a book written to
be read by one alone.
2nd Key: The Gospel of Mark is a narrative. A narrative
is like a river. Going through the river in a boat, one is not aware of the
divisions in the water. The river has no divisions! It is constituted by one
flow alone, from the beginning to the end. In the river, the divisions, are
made beginning from the bank of the river. For example it is said: “ What a
beautiful part which goes from that house up to the curve where there is a
palm, three curves after that”. But in the water no divisions can be seen. The
narrative of Mark runs like a river. Its divisions, those who listen, find them
on the margin, that is to say, in the places through which Jesus passed by, in
the geography, in the persons whom he meets, along the roads through which he
goes by. These indications on the margin help those who listen not to get lost
in the midst of so many words and actions of Jesus and on Jesus. The geographic
framework helps the reader to walk with Jesus, step after step, from Galilee to
Jerusalem, from the lake to Calvary.
3rd Key: the Gospel of Mark was written to be read in one only time. This
is what the Jews did with the brief books of the Old Testament. For example, in
the night of Easter, they read all the book of the Song of Songs. Some scholars
affirm that the Gospel of Mark was written to be read, completely, in the
course of the night in the long Paschal vigil. Or, in order not to get the
people who listened tired, the reading had to be divided and to have some
pauses. Besides, when a narrative is long, as that of the Gospel of Mark, its
reading has to be interrupted quite often. In certain moments there is need for
a pause, otherwise the listeners would be lost. These pauses were foreseen by
the author of the narrative himself . And these pauses were marked by short
summaries, between two long readings. Practically, the same thing that happens
in television. Every day, at the beginning of the news are repeated some scenes
of the preceding transmission. When they end, some scenes of the next day are
presented. These summaries are like the hinges which collect what has been read
and open to what will follow. They allow one to stop and to begin anew, without
interrupting or disturbing the sequence of the narrative. They help those who
listen to place themselves in the river of the narrative which flows. In the
Gospel of Mark there are diverse summaries of this type or pauses, which allow
us to discover and follow the thread of the Good News of God which Jesus has
revealed to us and that Mark tells us. In the whole there is a question of
seven blocks or longer readings, intermingled with short summaries or hinges,
where it is possible to make a pause.
· A division of the Gospel of Mark
Below we give a possible division of the Gospel of Mark. Others
divide it in a different way. The importance of a division is that it opens one
of the many windows inside the text, and that it helps us to discover the
direction of the road which Jesus opened for us toward the Father and the
brothers and sisters.
Mark 1,
1-13
Beginning of the Good News
Prepare the announcement
1st Reading
Mark 1, 14-15 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 1, 16-3, 16 The Good News grows
The conflict becomes present
2nd Reading
Mark 3, 7-12 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 3, 13-6,6 The conflict grows
The Mystery appears
3rd Reading
Mark 6, 7-13 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 6, 14-8,21 The Mystery grows
It is not understood
4th Reading
Mark 8, 22-26 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 8, 27-10,45 They continue not to understand
The dark light of the Cross appears
5th Reading
Mark 10, 46-52 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 11, 1-13,32 The dark light of the Cross grows
Rupture and death appear
6th Reading
Mark 13, 33-37 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 14, 1-15,39 Rupture and death grow
Victory over death appears
7th Reading
Mark 15, 40,41 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 15, 42-16,20 The victory over death increases
The Good News reappear
8th Reading
Mark 16, 9-20
Prepare the announcement
1st Reading
Mark 1, 14-15 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 1, 16-3, 16 The Good News grows
The conflict becomes present
2nd Reading
Mark 3, 7-12 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 3, 13-6,6 The conflict grows
The Mystery appears
3rd Reading
Mark 6, 7-13 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 6, 14-8,21 The Mystery grows
It is not understood
4th Reading
Mark 8, 22-26 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 8, 27-10,45 They continue not to understand
The dark light of the Cross appears
5th Reading
Mark 10, 46-52 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 11, 1-13,32 The dark light of the Cross grows
Rupture and death appear
6th Reading
Mark 13, 33-37 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 14, 1-15,39 Rupture and death grow
Victory over death appears
7th Reading
Mark 15, 40,41 pause, summary, hinge
Mark 15, 42-16,20 The victory over death increases
The Good News reappear
8th Reading
Mark 16, 9-20
In this division the titles are important. They indicate the
path of the Spirit, of inspiration, which the Gospel follows
from the beginning until the end. When an artist has an inspiration, he tries
to express it in a work of art. A poem or an image which is produced encloses
in itself this inspiration. Inspiration is like an electric force which runs
invisibly through the wires and lights the lamp in our houses. In the same way
also the inspiration runs invisibly through the letters of the poem or the form
of the image to reveal or light in us a light similar or almost similar to that
which shone in the soul of the artist. This is the reason why artistic works
attract and shake persons so much. The same thing happens when we read and
meditate on the Gospel of Mark. The same Spirit or Inspirationwhich
impelled Mark to write the text, continues to be present in the words of his
Gospel. Through an attentive and prayerful reading, this Spirit acts and begins
to act in us. And thus, little by little, we discover the face of God who has
revealed Himself in Jesus and which Mark communicates to us in his book.
6. Prayer of Psalm 145
Always give thanks for everything!
I shall praise you to the heights,
God my King,
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
God my King,
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever.
Great is Yahweh and worthy of all praise,
his greatness beyond all reckoning.
Each age will praise your deeds to the next,
proclaiming your mighty works.
Your renown is the splendour of your glory,
I will ponder the story of your wonders.
They will speak of your awesome power,
and I shall recount your greatness.
They will bring out the memory of your great generosity,
and joyfully acclaim your saving justice.
Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger, full of faithful love.
Yahweh is generous to all,
his tenderness embraces all his creatures.
All your creatures shall thank you,
Yahweh, and your faithful shall bless you.
his greatness beyond all reckoning.
Each age will praise your deeds to the next,
proclaiming your mighty works.
Your renown is the splendour of your glory,
I will ponder the story of your wonders.
They will speak of your awesome power,
and I shall recount your greatness.
They will bring out the memory of your great generosity,
and joyfully acclaim your saving justice.
Yahweh is tenderness and pity,
slow to anger, full of faithful love.
Yahweh is generous to all,
his tenderness embraces all his creatures.
All your creatures shall thank you,
Yahweh, and your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingship
and tell of your might,
making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam,
the glory and majesty of your kingship.
Your kingship is a kingship for ever,
your reign lasts from age to age.
Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words,
and upright in all his deeds.
and tell of your might,
making known your mighty deeds to the children of Adam,
the glory and majesty of your kingship.
Your kingship is a kingship for ever,
your reign lasts from age to age.
Yahweh is trustworthy in all his words,
and upright in all his deeds.
Yahweh supports all who stumble,
lifts up those who are bowed down.
All look to you in hope
and you feed them with the food of the season.
And, with generous hand,
you satisfy the desires of every living creature.
lifts up those who are bowed down.
All look to you in hope
and you feed them with the food of the season.
And, with generous hand,
you satisfy the desires of every living creature.
Upright in all that he does,
Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
He is close to all who call upon him,
all who call on him from the heart.
He fulfils the desires of all who fear him,
he hears their cry and he saves them.
Yahweh guards all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys.
Yahweh acts only in faithful love.
He is close to all who call upon him,
all who call on him from the heart.
He fulfils the desires of all who fear him,
he hears their cry and he saves them.
Yahweh guards all who love him,
but all the wicked he destroys.
My mouth shall always praise Yahweh,
let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
let every creature bless his holy name for ever and ever.
7. Final Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has enabled us to
understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten our actions
and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word has revealed to us.
May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also practice the Word. You
who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and
ever. Amen.
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