The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath

Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

- Mark 2:23-3:6

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus calling Levi, or Matthew, the tax collector. Later, when He dines at Levi's house, there were also many tax collectors and sinners there with His disciples, "for there were many, and they followed Him." The scribes and Pharisees wondered, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." The disciples of John and the Pharisees were fasting, and wondered why Jesus' disciples did not. He said that when the bridegroom was with them, the friends cannot fast -- but only after He is taken away, then they will fast. He said, "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."

Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" To pluck the grain (corn) to eat was a violation of the Sabbath-rest because it was considered work. Jesus refers to an incident written in the Old Testament, in which David and his men were starving. Abiathar was appointed high priest during David's reign. His father, Ahimelech, provided David and his men with holy bread because it was all that was available to eat. This is an act of mercy in necessity. My study bible notes, "'Pharisaism' is a very real danger for all. Rules for religious practice are not bad in themselves, but when adherence to those rules triumphs over mercy and human need, the practice leads people away from God, not toward Him."

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." My study bible tells us that there is a similar saying found in rabbinical literature: "The Sabbath has been given unto you; you have not been given unto the Sabbath." We have a powerful statement in Jesus' pronouncement that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath: as incarnate Son, He is Lord in a just and meet way. Only God, says my study bible, can say He is Lord of the Sabbath. As incarnate Lord, Jesus can meet the Sabbath rest as a human being, man and God, knowing the needs of man and having the prerogative of the divine.

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" Here is the question that puts things into perspective. What is the purpose of the Law? What is God's purpose in instituting the Sabbath-rest? He knows there are exceptions in the case of a life that must be saved. But Jesus' emphasis here is on mercy, compassion, and the necessity for healing. What is God's purpose in the world?

But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. My study bible puts it like this: "Jesus is motivated by compassion. He does not deny Sabbath traditions, but teaches that it is more important to do good on the Sabbath then to maintain the strict observance of Sabbath rest. The religious leaders are motivated by zeal for the rigid performance of rabbinic tradition; for them outward performance is more important than doing good. The two perspectives are incompatible." We note that the Pharisees, so angered with Jesus' expression of authority, now plot with their enemies, the Herodians, in order to destroy Jesus.

I've had several occasions recently to consider expressions of this sort of behavior in a religious context. It seems to me that the kind of rigidity that has no compassion for those who come to the Church who seek God, is a kind of rigidity that acts just as my study bible says in its note: it drives people away from God, rather than bringing them to God. It is important to consider then, what is the purpose of any sort of rule in a church? Perhaps it doesn't matter whether we are speaking of what we find written in Scripture or the tradition that develops in interpretation of Scripture: either way, we understand the purposes of God, and specifically of Christ, to call all into relationship. The expressions of God's love cannot be missing from whatever tradition or rule we develop in the expression and practice of our worship. Jesus repeatedly warned against leading the little ones astray, and to me it seems pertinent that we recall Jesus will criticize, later in Mark's Gospel, those who hold fast to the traditions of men at the expense of the traditions of God. What is essential is our fidelity to the original expression from which we understand God's love and mercy and need for relationship to God's children. Either over-interpretation of Scripture or leaving the Scripture altogether over some form of sentimentality work to mislead and to destroy real relationship. They do harm rather than good. Both, in my experience, can create a rigid rule of outward conformity to the group rather than true worship in the heart. Either can become an over-strictness to a "rule" that ignores true human need. Also in today's lectionary reading, St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4, "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." The Church and all those who serve in it are stewards for what has been given, for the children who seek God, and must be faithful to that gift. God's purpose throughout the Bible is to bring His children home to Himself; as stewards the Church must serve that purpose. Whatever works against that purpose is unfaithful to God. True leadership lies in fidelity to God's purpose. Jesus' greatest warnings will come for those who abuse their own power, and do not truly love those in their care. Let us consider how best we practice love and care as faithful stewards. Perhaps there can be no more important exercise in Lent than to look to our own behavior with regard to God's purpose, and examine our own forms of stewardship.

No one puts new wine into old wineskins

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."

- Mark 2:13-22

Yesterday, we read about the paralytic, who was lowered down through the roof of Peter's house in Capernaum, so that his friends could bring Him to Christ. Jesus was preaching in Peter's house, and it was so full of the people of the town, there was no room. When Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and his friends, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'?" But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" -- He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. Again, we hear the command: Follow Me. Levi is Matthew, who will become an Evangelist, whose Gospel will elaborate on and fill in the details of Mark's. He is most likely educated and also the one apostle with a socially powerful position. We assume, of course, that he has already heard about Jesus.

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." In the recent readings, we have begun to get a sense that Jesus is, indeed, not a holy man in the pattern of the old, but rather something new. The exclamation at the end of yesterday's reading, "We never saw anything like this!" tells us so, that this is the attitude of the people. Here in today's passage, we get the sense again of the "newness" of what Jesus is doing, and the pattern unfolds of His ministry. Jesus is here to heal; by his touch, He has already healed those who were "untouchable" like the leper. My study bible has some important notes: "In dining with sinners, Jesus shows the Kingdom's openness to the outcast, and its destruction of the barrier between sinful men and God. Jesus recognizes these people as a definable group. It is possible to follow Jesus and remain in one's social class; however, friends no longer come first." It adds: "True righteousness comes through faith and is accompanied by wholesome works. Many Pharisees were masters of dead works; some tax collectors and many sinners would become masters of true righteousness." Jesus' faith is transforming and powerful; He calls the lost back to Himself. His mercy is ever-present for those who truly seek relationship to Him and to dwell in the righteousness of the Kingdom. That He is sitting at table is symbolic for us: we who are called ("Follow Me") wish always to partake of His divine supper, the "daily bread" of His spiritual food for us, even the Eucharistic gift of His presence.

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days." Here we have allusions again to the great feast of the Bridegroom, the Eucharistic feast of Christ's presence with us. But there will be days when His followers will fast, after He is taken away from them. Being with the Bridegroom is a joyful time for His friends, a true feast.

"No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins." Here, Jesus truly defines Himself as "the new." A wineskin was the skin of an animal which formed a kind of bag for wine. As the new wine ferments, it expands the bag (and therefore the skin). Jesus alludes to a kind of need that is definitely there, and it is a paradox also that runs throughout the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures. What does God do with a sinful world? Here is our answer, our Redeemer, the One who has the power to forgive sins, to claim the lost sheep and bring them back. So, while the friends are with the Bridegroom, they rejoice. It is not a blanket condemnation of the old, but rather a fulfillment -- a new model with some new answers. The righteousness of this Kingdom is not legalistic, but characterized by love. In this season of Lent, we remember that fasting remains a useful and helpful practice for Christians and was so in the early church. We remember that all fasting is to help us understand, ultimately, that we fast from sin, to teach us our own capacity and discipline to choose, to develop discernment, to focus on the spiritual reality of the Kingdom and essential need for relationship with Christ before all else. A (Greek Orthodox) priest friend of mine used a wonderful saying: "We have tools, not rules."

In our own lives, Christ's illustration of "new wineskins" tells us something important. He also used the illustration of unshrunk cloth, to patch a tear in the old garment. To repair and to heal may require of us, also, new wineskins, new ways of thinking and being in the world -- a new way to look at things, to see our lives, and to see ourselves. Often, to repair what needs healing and mending in our lives asks of us a whole new kind of turnaround, a true repentance. He will lead us to this new perspective. The traditional and ancient tools of Lent (prayer, fasting, almsgiving) are designed to help us to radically commit to that "new wineskin" -- the place we need to go to see ourselves as Christ asks us to, to put our lives in His hands. Whatever way it happens to you, and however you observe the period of Lent, think today about the new wineskins. Is He calling on you to expand and to grow? To repent, to "change your mind" about something? Do you need a new garment into which you fit a new and different life? How does He call you to "Follow Me?" Don't be afraid to lose the old, in exchange for the new that can't fit back into the old pattern, which you may need to leave behind. This season asks us to get clear enough to renew that commitment to His strength to take us forward into the new, however we are called by Him to "Follow Me."

Which is easier?

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" -- He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

- Mark 2:1-12

We have just finished chapter 1 of Mark's Gospel. Jesus' Galilean ministry has been widely established. In yesterday's reading, we read of several healings: by touch, Peter's mother-in-law was healed of fever; then the whole city gathered to his door in Capernaum, and Jesus healed many with diseases and cast out demons from others. Jesus again showed His power over the demons because He would not let them speak. Long before it was light, early in the morning, Jesus went out to pray alone. But everyone was looking for Him. He told Peter they must go to the next towns, "that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." Then a leper came to be cleansed, and Jesus healed Him. He forbade the healed leper to tell others of it, but simply to go to the priest for a certificate. Nevertheless, Mark tells us, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Jesus sticks to His purpose: for the ministry, preaching comes first. My study bible points out that "Jesus preached wherever there were people -- in the synagogue, on the mountain, on the plain, and here in a house."

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." There's an interesting note here that this story relates to our preparation for Easter. This particular passage tells us "(1) We must come to Christ in faith and let Him heal us of our spiritual paralysis. Sin is a paralysis of the soul. (2) We should let nothing deter us from getting to Christ, who alone can heal us, both in body and in soul. (3) We must help each other come to Christ." Many comment on the help of friends illustrated here, and of course, to me it suggests also the power of intercessory prayer on behalf of others. It also speaks of the great effort we may put in to get this great gift, the presence of Christ. In faith, the effort confirms our great and true desire.

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?" In Scripture, the heart is usually meant to refer to the center of our consciousness, which includes both our will and reason. Jesus, as the Gospels so often illustrate, and as the Apostles prayed, is the knower-of-hearts. Neither is He afraid to challenge the scribes, based on His knowledge.

"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" -- He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" My study bible says that the point here is not which is, in fact, easier, but rather that the one who can say to a paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed and walk" also has the power to forgive sins. The scribes have, in an ironic twist, confirmed that only God can forgive sins, and the implication about Jesus' divine nature is clear, yet remains a great secret! As we read in yesterday's cleansing of the leper, this secret is one that is, in fact, hidden in plain sight, so to speak. And the people give glory to God in their amazement, and say, "We never saw anything like this!"

Have you ever experienced anything in your life that felt to you as if it must have been the work of God's presence in your life, and yet to all others it passed as the normal order of the day? I don't think this is such a very unusual experience. Often we may attribute workings in our lives, or insights we may gather, simply to natural forces or the capacity of our own minds. I have had friends insist that this must be so for me, when I tell of insights that I don't feel I could possibly have had without spiritual grace -- things I don't feel I learned from merely my experiences of life. Regardless of how we feel we get there, today's story is an expression of the effort that is always worthwhile, and that is the power that we put into our faith. It really doesn't matter how things look to others. Jesus illustrates this by His conviction, His preaching, because "for this purpose" He "has come forth." He doesn't heal to please people, nor to gather followers, but rather out of compassion -- and in today's story, we learn, He "saw their faith." The knower-of-hearts responds to what is in our hearts, and out of our hearts comes our effort. What may be hidden in plain sight, even to those who may be amazed, won't be hidden in the heart when we understand the relationship of faith to effort, to love and relationship, and to the Comforter, the One that graces us with help. How do you prepare for Easter today by making the effort to find the One whom your heart most desires?

For this purpose I have come forth

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." But He said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.

- Mark 1:29-45

In yesterday's reading, we learned that John the Baptist is already in prison. Jesus begins His Galilean ministry, preaching, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." He walks by the Sea of Galilee, seeing the brothers Simon and Andrew. He tells them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Later He meets James and John Zebedee, and they follow Him as well. Going to Capernaum, Jesus entered a synagogue and taught. All are astounded at His authority, not like those of the scribes. A man with an unclean spirit rose and said to Him, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!" But Jesus told the spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man. The people responded: "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Mark's Gospel now takes us into the personal -- from the synagogue Jesus and His disciples go to the house of brothers Simon and Andrew. Peter's a married man, and his mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus' ministry is not just for the public in the synagogue, but here it becomes quite personal -- even the form the healing takes. He took her by the hand, lifting her up. Mark's Gospel gives us the details that tell us of a tender personal scene, perhaps unusual in its intimacy of touch for the time. But it tells us about Jesus: He is not merely the impressive, authoritative, powerful preacher who commands even the demons. Here He cares for the older woman, Peter's mother-in-law. She is restored to her place in the household through His touch. And I think we might also consider that from the point of view of the Church, it is an honor to serve Christ and His disciples.

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Here, the public comes to the door! His personal healing is not only for the immediate family and relatives, those of His circle but rather the "whole city was gathered together at the door." Nor is His healing of those with demons reserved only for the public place in the synagogue, but also the personal. Again, His power prevents the demons even from speaking. It is clear where the authority lies, what kingdom He is bringing.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." But He said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." Again, this briefest of the Gospels, while moving along at its swift pace and with simple language, surprises us with its detail. My study bible points out that Mark's is the only Gospel that gives us a full day in Jesus' life, "a day built around prayer and ministry." We always note the emphasized image of Jesus at prayer, setting His example for us all. Everyone is looking for Him, but Jesus is doing what He must, sticking to His business. First comes prayer, time with the Father. My study bible notes for us: "Jesus' priority is prayer to His Father: prayer before service. He goes to a solitary place to be free from distraction, despite the multitudes' need of Him. His ministry comes out of His relationship with His Father, not foremost out of people's need." And it is clear from the text this is so. First there is the time for prayer. Despite the fact that so many are looking for Him, He does what He must for this ministry -- and, one presumes, what the Father calls Him to do. It is time to move to the next towns and preach the message of the gospel, the good news of the Kingdom at hand.

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction. Again, we get a personal picture of Jesus here in this healing of the leper. Jesus is "moved with compassion." Leprosy condemned a person to exclusion from community; a certificate was necessary from the priest to be allowed back into community. Again, my study bible usefully points out this key to Jesus' character and its display through His ministry: "Jesus heals from compassion -- not from duty or a need to prove Himself, or in order to gather a following." In another sense, we can also see the completeness of Jesus' healing power. Leprosy was considered a kind of evidence of sin or guilt, a condition reflecting the consequences of sin in the world. Jesus touches the leper as well; this healing touch goes deeper than the skin, and the implication is clear when the man goes to show himself to the priest, to come back into religious community. And here is yet another paradox of this man, Christ, with so much power and authority: He doesn't want the healed man to speak publicly about Him. He proclaims the Kingdom, but not His own divinity. The signs are there, but His Messiahship must remain secret. However, this news is not contained, so that Jesus is mobbed by crowds. Even in the deserted places, they come to Him from every direction.

Here, coming so quickly in Mark's Gospel, is tremendous evidence of all of Jesus' healing and teaching abilities. He has total power over demons. He heals by touch, in the personal and immediate. He rebukes demons in public in the synagogue before the community and by personal contact. He even heals the leper by touch. All of this is here for us to see and to read about Him. His duty and love is first of all for the Father, with the Father -- and this compassion extends to all. The great paradox is in the personalness of Jesus. As there is intimacy and love and loyalty to the Father, so Jesus' relationship and "touch" seem to come to each of us, this story says. And we can experience this in our lives. The intimate moments depicted, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law or the admonition to the healed leper to tell no one, but to simply go to the priest, tell us something wonderful about Jesus. His heart is greater than anything that we can know, and yet it comes first from His intimate relationship with the Father, as do all things we know about Him as Son. He teaches us all through His example of love and service. He is not pleasing the world, but pleasing God the Father through God's own love, compassion, loyalty, trust. God the Almighty invites us in to this intimate, personal picture, this secret of Christ, proclaimed in the Gospels. It is always inviting us in, to "Follow Him." This is the good news of the Kingdom at hand.

Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

- Mark 1:14-28

In yesterday's reading, we began the Gospel of Mark. We were introduced to John the Baptist, who came preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission or "letting go" of sins. He proclaimed the One who was to come, and Mark's Gospel gives us the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in John: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.'" John is in the fashion of Elijah returned, a holy man, widely known and revered as such. We read of Jesus' baptism, and the appearance of the Holy Trinity: the Father's voice declaring that He is Son, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, anointing Christ. Then the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness, where He remained tempted by Satan, there with the wild beasts, and ministered to by angels.

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark's Gospel will move forward at a fast pace. Here, it tells us we are already at the time of John's imprisonment. Jesus' preaching ministry begins, in Galilee. He is preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, with us now even as Jesus preached: "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand." It is present with us, the time is now. And yet, we look forward to its fulfillment: it is both here with us and an expected reality, the fullness of which we await. Jesus asks for people to pay attention, to turn to the faith of the gospel of the kingdom of God, to "change their minds" (repent). These words remain with us: the kingdom's presence and the time of its fullness we look toward now. The "gospel" is the good news of this reality, this kingdom.

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Jesus and these men He encounters who will be His first apostles are already known to one another. Mark's Gospel moves us very swiftly -- this is characteristic of its style. But this is a call, a command: "Follow Me." And it is also a promise. Repentance becomes more than a change of mind and heart; in its wake is also a new life, a different fulfillment of promise in discipleship. God will take all that we are and have become, and will make of us what God's purpose can fulfill in us, as we are, with whatever we have. They are fishermen; they will become fishers of men.

They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. These men whom Jesus knows immediately respond to the call. They trust Him. My study bible says, "Called suggests discipleship is an invitation issued by Jesus, the emphasis being on His initiative -- the opposite of rabbinic discipleship, where the student took the initiative to follow the leader (rabbi). Jesus does not hesitate to include groups of friends and relatives among His disciples. Here are two sets of brothers, and two families are friends, perhaps even relatives." The emphasis is on the newness of this kingdom, the time has been fulfilled and it is at hand; their lives will change for the sake of its inauguration and promise of fulfillment.

Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Jesus' immediate beginning to His ministry is to teach in the synagogue, and all are astonished at the authority with which He speaks. He hasn't studied with a famous rabbi, He doesn't quote others. He doesn't use credentials to back Himself up, nor rely on the opinions of others. His presence is immediate and powerful. In Him, the kingdom is at hand.

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. The kingdom is inaugurated and its effects are plain to see. This is a spiritual kingdom, demanding faith; He is a spiritual leader and asks discipleship of His followers into this new doctrine, the good news. Its effects are powerful and immediate; there is an unmistakeable presence at work. His authority is not only in His speaking, but also in His effect on the unclean spirit. His authority is clear, His power is demonstrated. The unclean spirits have had free reign, but an authority and power are now inaugurated, and present, over which they have no power.

Mark's Gospel moves us along very quickly, and we are thrown into this Kingdom as it is given to us by Jesus. The time of the world has been fulfilled so that the Gospel may be preached. All are called to repent, to hear, to turn around and listen and accept and understand. This kingdom asks us for our faith, so that we may be present to it, dwell in it and with it, be a part of its fulfillment in the world. Even as the Gospel thrusts us into this new kingdom and the power of Christ, let us think where we are now in the world. There are theologians who teach us that Christianity is yet in its infancy, with the Church around the world in places far from one another, in denominations multiple and seemingly uncountable, seemingly fragmentary. Yet the Kingdom promises to us its fulfillment in wholeness, in a future that calls us forward in that faith into which we enter. Discipleship becomes for each of us a point of entry, finding what is our part in the fulfillment of that kingdom. As we read of the Gospel's initiation, let us think what it is now, in this time of Lent in 2012, to be a part of this kingdom, and what precisely is the unfolding of discipleship in us. How do we play our parts in this movement toward the promise of its fulfillment? How do we repent, and change our minds, moving forward and more deeply into faith and discipleship on the road, even as we will read of the road of the first disciples of Christ? How does Christ take all that you are, and bring it into service in the kingdom?

Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight

Byzantine Museum - Athens, Greece

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:

"Behold, I send My messenger before your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You."

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the LORD;

Make His paths straight.'"

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, temped by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

- Mark 1:1-13

Today we begin our Lenten readings for this year. The lectionary takes us to the Gospel of Mark. Mark is the shortest of the Gospels, and its style of language is simple in nature, as the story it tells us about Jesus progresses very swiftly. Mark the Apostle was also known as John Mark. His mother's house was a meeting place for Christians in Jerusalem. According to some Church Fathers, Mark wrote for the Christian community of Rome. Persecution began by Nero in A.D. 64, and there was an apocalyptic fervor occasioned by the Jewish war and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. My study bible says, "Mark tells the story of Jesus so his readers may see their own suffering as a prelude to the glorious second Coming of Jesus, and may discern the reward of those who endure to the end. The suffering and the glory are equally real; this was true for Jesus and will be true for all believers."

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before your face, who will prepare Your way before You." "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" Mark begins his gospel with the prophets. Here it is a combination of verses from Malachi and Isaiah. We are introduced to John the Baptist and his role in the story of the plan of salvation. He is introduced by the prophets, and as a prophet.

John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John baptizes for the remission or "letting go" of sins (as we can translate literally from the Greek word "afesin"). This word for "letting go" will be the same word used for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer (as in "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"). Repentance is "metanoia" in the Greek, an important and crucial concept for us as we enter into Lent. "Metanoia" means "change of mind" in the Greek. John's baptism is of repentance for the letting go of sins -- a preparation for the One who is to come. My study bible notes, "Later, in Christian baptism, God not only forgives our sins, letting them go, but He also brings us into union with Christ." John's ministry is widely known and accepted; he has a sweeping impact and is popularly known as a holy man. My study bible says that outside of official and rabbinic Judaism he is perhaps the leading religious figure.

Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In John's clothing, we read of his radical humility, but it also tells us what kind of a prophet he is. It is similar to the clothing worn by Elijah. The Gospels tell us that Jesus will say that in John is the return of the spirit of Elijah, the fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah's return which would precede the Messiah. His humility is expressed in the way he teaches about himself in relation to the One who is coming. To be baptized with the Holy Spirit is a true anointing from God, with the power of God. The implication is that it is only Christ's to give.

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." My study bible says that "like a dove" does not mean that the Holy Spirit incarnated as a dove, but rather that it is a special sign indicating the presence of the Spirit. It says, "A dove symbolizes purity, peace and wisdom." These are qualities of the Spirit, the anointing we all hope for, that will make us children by adoption. Christ means the Anointed One. Christ's "coming up" from the water is the same word that will be used for His Ascension, His "rising up" so that the world is "lifted up" with Him. In the icon above, we can see all of creation symbolized in the creatures and the nature depicted. The voice of the Father, along with the Holy Spirit, makes Jesus' Baptism a manifestation of the Holy Trinity. The Father's voice tells a knowing audience who Jesus is. It is a combination of a verse from a messianic psalm with one from the first song of the Suffering Servant of the Lord.

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, temped by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. The forty days of Jesus' wilderness experience, faced with temptation and ministered to by the angels, echoes for the audience the forty years of Israel's temptations and ministry by the Spirit of God. These forty days became the basis for Great Lent in Christian tradition. My study bible says, "Being with the beasts and served by the angels suggests a relationship between Christ and Adam." The Church Fathers believed that meditative seclusion helps us to freer communication with God and in preparation for tasks ahead. We will see Jesus retreat for prayer throughout the Gospels at crucial points in His ministry.

My study bible has an interesting note which I think is pertinent to this time of Great Lent: "Even if we are subjected to evil (the demons, the beasts,) God will never desert us as we struggle toward Him." In Jesus' struggle, then, we can sometimes find our own. We live in a world beset with problems, with personal lives in which we all have problems to deal with. It is not a "perfect world" nor a "perfect life" into which we, and He, are born. But we have help to bear with it, to struggle through it. Through it all, we remember, the world and all of creation are His, and He lives His life as a human being to help us to be transfigured, anointed, adopted in the Spirit. Just as Israel was led through the wilderness, faced temptation, but was also offered the word of God, so are we in His Incarnation. We are invited into this work of love for the world. This Lent, invite the Spirit to help you through your own struggle and your own transfiguration, your own "letting go" of the things which are burdens -- within us and around us. He is here to help us to negotiate this world, our burdens, whatever they may be, for the life of the world.

If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world

photo copyright Anni Jones Photography

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him." Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

- John 11:1-16

Yesterday we read about a confrontation at the temple, that took place at the Feast of Dedication, or Hannukah, the festival of lights. This dialogue began in the previous reading (on Thursday), in which Jesus told the leadership, "I and My Father are one." This was in answer to their question, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." In yesterday's reading, they had begun to take up stones to stone Him after Jesus pronounced that He and His Father are one. But Jesus told them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" The temple authorities replied that it was not for the works, but for making Himself God. Jesus told them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"?' If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?" He pointed again to His works as witness to the presence of God the Father with Him, but they sought to stone Him. Jesus then went and stayed in the place where John the Baptist first baptized, beyond the Jordan. And there He found many believers, who saw for themselves that John's testimony of Jesus was true.

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. John's Gospel has just told us that Jesus went to the other side of the Jordan River, away from Jerusalem, after His last confrontation in the temple with the authorities, who tried to stone Him for blasphemy. But here, the Gospel assumes a familiarity in the readership with the important figures of this family -- Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Furthermore, John the Evangelist also assumes an understanding of an important incident, in which Mary anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, which John will report later in the Gospel, in the next chapter.

Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." We remember Jesus' sixth miracle or sign in the Gospel of John, the healing of the man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him then, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." Here the starkest affliction known to the world will be the occasion for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. As so often happens with John's Gospel, the events that unfold will astound the disciples. They cannot understand the events to which He alludes in speech before all is revealed to them.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Here is a seemingly paradoxical statement! But the great love between this family and Jesus is well-known and remarkable in the Gospels. We will see with what plans Jesus will glorify God through this family He loves.

Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" Bethany, the town of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, is on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus is now east of the Jordan river, and wishes to return to the region of Judea to the home of His friends.

Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." Jesus has said, in the reading of the healing of the blind man, "I am the light of the world." Here, Jesus' reply seems to me to refer to that light that is in Him. He walks in the day because of this light. Those who walk in the darkness are the ones that stumble. He knows where He is going, what He is doing. Nothing happens without a voluntary understanding in Him, a command He accepts from the Father.

These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up." Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him." Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." Again, we see in the familiar technique of John's Gospel, a series of misapprehensions, partial understanding, so that what is happening may be revealed to us in the same way the Gospel tells us it is revealed to the disciples. Jesus delays in order that the occasion of Lazarus' death becomes one of glorification, revelation, a sign of the presence of God. He refers to Lazarus' "sleep" so that we understand the death that is not unto death, but life. Thomas again misunderstands. No one can grasp what is going to happen. My study bible points to the irony of Thomas' words: "Thomas, if not with full understanding, speaks the truth: dying with Christ, in baptism and sometimes in martyrdom, will become the seal of Christian discipleship." And death, of course, will be understood by believers as a type of sleep, as we abide in the power of His love and life in Resurrection, the great "Day" of the Lord.

As we read the Gospel, we "walk" with Jesus toward Bethany. The miracle or sign that will take place there, to which Jesus alludes in today's reading, will be the seventh of seven in John's Gospel. But let us take occasion again for thinking about Jesus' reference at the last "good work," the sixth sign, the healing of the man blind from birth. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." Here, He refers to walking in the light of day, and having that light in us. When we walk in His word, in the light of God, of faith, we can have a confidence of walking in the daytime to which He refers. How does God walk with you? Each moment, it is inferred from this text, can be a moment for that light to shine through the darkness of the world for us, through faith. Even this moment that is coming, the death of His beloved friend, will become an occasion for the light, the shining forth or manifestation of the glory of God in the world. Can you have a sense of that daytime in your life? We remember that Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, although the darkness cannot grasp that light in any sense. At each moment, there is an occasion for that light. When we ask to walk with Him, we ask to walk in the daytime. In the darkest moments of our lives, we ask for His light, to walk with Him, so that we know where we are going, and we don't stumble. In this way, our lives will also glorify God. We will be able to go through even the darkness of the world with the light He gives us to see our way through. How do you let the light in to your life's moments today?