tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44184064609132255182024-03-19T01:47:53.082-07:00Daily ExegesisBible Commentaryauthorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.comBlogger4385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-6580662333555569852024-03-18T17:18:00.000-07:002024-03-18T17:18:06.947-07:00If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 9:30–41 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, returning from the mountain of <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/this-is-my-beloved-son-hear-him.html" target="_blank">the Transfiguration</a>, when He came to the disciples, Jesus saw a great multitude around
them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him,
all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?" Then one
of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has
a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he
foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to
Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He
answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with
you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Then they
brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit
convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the
mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to
him?" And he said, "From childhood. And often he has thrown him both
into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do
anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If
you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears,
"<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/lord-i-believe-help-my-unbelief.html" target="_blank">Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!</a>" When Jesus saw that the people
came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it:
"Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no
more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out
of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And
when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why
could we not cast it out?" So He said to them, "This kind can come out
by nothing but prayer and fasting." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not
want anyone to know it. For He taught His disciples and said to them,
"The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will
kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." But
they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. </i> This is the second time Jesus predicts His death and Resurrection (see the first time <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-what-will-it-profit-man-if-he-gains.html" target="_blank">here</a>). My study Bible says that He does so in order to show that He is going to His Passion freely, and that He will not be taken against His will. Note that it is still not the time for this to happen, as Jesus seeks to avoid open conflict -- <i>He did not want anyone to know</i> He was passing through Galilee.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them,
"What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept
silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be
the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If
anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of
all." Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.
And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever
receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and
whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." </i> This question of <i>who would be the greatest </i>likely arises because the disciples have misunderstood about Jesus rising<i> on the third day</i>. Perhaps they consider that Jesus will then come into a worldly kingdom, and so they dispute among themselves about who would have the greatest place in such a kingdom. My study Bible comments that the nature of this dispute indicates a selfish interest in worldly power. Rather than emphasizing the ideal of greatness in a world dominated by Caesar and powerful kings, Jesus teaches them that even when receiving a <i>little child in </i>His <i>name</i> means receiving Him -- and moreover, to receive Christ means instead to receive God the Father who sent Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not
follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he
does not follow us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one
who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For
he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup
of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I
say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."</i> My study Bible cites the commentary of both Theophylact and St. Ambrose of Milan on this passage, for us to consider. Theophylact sees regret in John's comment, and his conscience pricked by what Christ has just said about being the last of all and servant of all. But St. Ambrose comments, in contrast, that John expects full obedience to accompany such blessings. But, my study Bible says, in either understanding, Christ's response shows that those who act in good faith are not excluded, even if they are not currently numbered among the disciples. Theophylact writes, "See how divine grace is at work even in those who are not His disciples" (see also <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+11%3A24-30&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Numbers 11:24-30</a>). On those who use Christ's name without good faith, see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11%3A23%3B+Acts+19%3A13-16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 11:23; Acts 19:13-16</a>. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Once again, it's something remarkable to observe Jesus' careful attempts to conceal His presence, His efforts not to draw attention to Himself. Here He is back in His home territory of the region of Galilee, and on His way to what some consider His ministry headquarters, the city of Capernaum. But <i>He did not
want anyone to know it. </i> As we have previously observed, there are times when Jesus wants to withdraw from all forms of conflict, from the scrutiny of the religious leaders. No doubt they would be expecting Him in Galilee, and would have heard of the healing and exorcism He effected, after His disciples could not do so and were disputing with some scribes about it (in Saturday's reading, above). It shows us how aware He is of the ambitions of the religious leadership to rid themselves of His presence, which they now consider a threat to their authority. So, on His way back to Capernaum and Peter's home which served as a ministry headquarters, He does not want anyone to be aware of His presence. For the second time, He also warns the disciples about His Passion to come. But they misunderstand what is going to happen, notably likely about what it means that He will <i>rise the third day</i>. While Jesus takes great care to reveal to the disciples what is coming, we observe that He does not rush to His fate, and neither does He seek to make it happen. Quite the opposite is going on here, in fact. Everything depends upon the Father's time, and that is the proper time. He is by no means anxious to spark an open confrontation and manipulate circumstances to force the hand of the authorities. He is not in a rush to "force" His hour of glory (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012%3A16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 12:16</a>). And in keeping with this humility and obedience of Jesus, He teaches these men so eager for "greatness" what it is to be truly great, and that their own mission depends upon their capacity for humility and service. Jesus is teaching them to, in fact, reject common notions of greatness in order to be truly great in His kingdom, and to serve His Church as they must do. While, thanks no doubt to the influence of Christ's teachings, we have historical cultural values that uplift gracious behavior and humility as the foundation of public good manners, Christ's call to us still asks us to defy common notions of greatness. We elevate celebrity to high achievement, and in an age of social media, personal publicity is a common pattern with which we might be all too familiar. Children are measuring themselves by what they see as achievement in social media, none of which may be true or reasonable in the least. Humility is not seeking publicity for good works or even charitable donations, although that may come of its own merit. Being kind and compassionate is not simply useful for social value. Even the Caesars uplifted their public works and called themselves benefactors, as Jesus taught (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2022%3A25&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 22:25</a>). While it seems not at all obvious to these men what greatness they will find in service and humility, they will in fact build the Church through such virtues, and the central empowerment to such efforts is faith. Their personal sacrifices in building the Church will result, for example, in the creation of public hospitals. The first dedicated public hospital in the world was built by St. Basil the Great in the 4th century (369<span style="font-size: x-small;"> AD</span>), after Christianity ceased to be persecuted and was established as a dominant religion. Within a short period, not only were hospitals to become ubiquitous in the Byzantine Empire, but even the science and ethics of medicine would expand as a result. In our modern perspective of popular media and culture, we are offered so much in the way of both spectacle and also consumer goods that it is hard to imagine the beauty of humility and service in giving through faith in Christ as a way of life. But nonetheless, we are still asked to build our own integrity upon the values Jesus teaches in today's reading. Especially in a world with greater than ever material power at its command, it's essential that we understand how we can build better lives and better communities through the intangibles of Christ's values, and especially through this simple practice of coming to see ourselves receiving not only Christ, but God the Father, in those "little ones" in our communities, perhaps particularly in our churches. Let us consider the greatness that Christ desires, and what might be shaped, especially in a world such as ours today, by His image for us. His teaching of greatness may seem paradoxical, but it is a paradox that has elevated goodness in the world, and it constitutes the rock upon which we may build our lives, our hopes, and our faith. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-41926608717749177822024-03-16T12:40:00.000-07:002024-03-16T20:19:27.498-07:00Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?" Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 9:14–29 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that after six days (following <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-what-will-it-profit-man-if-he-gains.html" target="_blank">Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus' own prophecy of His Passion</a>) Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up
on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before
them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as
no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them
with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and
said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make
three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" --
because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a
cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/this-is-my-beloved-son-hear-him.html" target="_blank">This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!</a>" Suddenly, when they had
looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they
should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had
risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning
what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him, saying, "Why
do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Then He answered and
told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And
how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many
things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has
also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of
him."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around
them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him,
all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"</i> Here Jesus has returned (with Peter, James, and John) from the Mount of Transfiguration. Coming to the rest of the <i>disciples</i>, He finds a dispute happening, with a <i>great multitude around them</i>, and also <i>scribes</i> in some sort of confrontation, <i>disputing</i> with the disciples. Jesus surprises the crowd by returning, and they run to Him to greet Him. We note how Jesus turns to the scribes to ask what they're <i>discussing</i>, intervening for His disciples. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my
son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him
down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I
spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could
not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall
I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me."
</i>The <i>father </i>responds to Jesus' question that was directed to the scribes, and describes seizures which his <i>son </i>has, and also that the son is <i>mute</i>. This shows that the father is eager for help. But Christ responds by directing all attention to the lack of faith involved in this failed healing. My study Bible comments that while the disciples also lacked faith (which we read a little further on), Christ rebukes the man for placing the blame on the disciples, while it was his greater lack of faith that prevented the boy's healing. So, effectively, Jesus is defending His disciples in front of the crowds, but later He will address their own lack of faith in private. Moreover, we might consider that this exclamation of impatience with a<i> faithless generation </i>may be directed at all the crowd, including the scribes. As we have sin, even a community's faith or lack of it has an effect upon healings and other signs Christ performs. Christ's command to "<i>bring him to Me</i>" indicates that Jesus has not returned to the crowd but remained further away, where some have run to greet Him.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the
spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at
the mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening
to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And often he has thrown him
both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do
anything, have compassion on us and help us." </i> We see the response of the spirit that is harming the boy, once he is brought close to Christ. It's interesting that Jesus interrogates the man to find out how long the boy has been afflicted; the answer of the father gives us to understand the cruelty of evil, that it seeks to<i> destroy him</i>. His cry for <i>compassion</i> and his deep need for help shows his love and desire to help his son, even identifying with his son ("<i>help us</i>"). He seems to express that Christ is his only hope.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him
who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said
with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"</i> The father shows with tears his desperate desire to help his son, and his feeling of helplessness. But now he also expresses his understanding of Christ's direction to him -- and that he knows he needs help with his little faith.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the
unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you,
come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out,
convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead,
so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and
lifted him up, and he arose.</i> The text affirms to us that Jesus has kept the father and child away from this unbelieving crowd in order to heal him. It also shows again the cruelty of the demons.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately,
"Why could we not cast it out?" So He said to them, "This kind can come
out by nothing but prayer and fasting." </i> Jesus teaches the disciples another important lesson about faith, and the efforts we make to shore it up. My study Bible says that <i>this kind</i> refers to all powers of darkness, and not just those which cause a particular illness. The banishment of demons, it says, requires faith, prayer, and fasting, as there is no victory in spiritual warfare without all three. Beginning with the <a href="https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html" target="_blank">Didache</a>, it's been taught that both the person in need of healing and the person who performs the healing must believe, pray, and fast. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">If we look at today's reading in stages, we see an interesting evolution in terms of the approach to the ailment of this boy whose father seeks his healing. Jesus has just returned from the Transfiguration, together with Peter, James, and John. So it is the other nine disciples who are found in a dispute with some scribes, with an onlooking crowd surrounding them. Perhaps we first have to consider that Jesus lived in a time period where there were events of spectacle, but they were held in open theaters and stadiums as part of pagan religious festivals. This was true of the ancient plays and events such as the ancient Olympic games, as well as the Roman spectacles such as chariot races and gladiatorial bouts. But at this time, there is no common entertainment such as television or the internet or the radio. So, we might presume, that each time there are any public disputes mentioned in the Gospels, they become an event which people gladly watch. This is true of Christ's disputes in the temple with the religious leaders during Holy Week, as it is also true of this particular healing and others. In this case, however, we can consider that the crowd is either unbelieving (as Christ has begun to acknowledge in His ministry in various places) or cynical or perhaps just watching for spectacle. The scribes, of course, are eager to see Christ's ministry fail at this point, as Jesus has already become a rival to the religious establishment in their sight. In the middle of the crowd is this exasperated father who seeks a cure for his son. He seems to feel entirely helpless to the demonic power that afflicts the boy. Whether we wish to attribute this disease to pure physical ailment or not (modern people might identify this illness as epilepsy), there remains a sense in which it is an evil affliction, and we can't mistake the torment and destructive power of what the boy is put through. The word in Greek for evil is one with the word for "pain" at its root; this can also mean a kind of suffering under laborious hardship. In any case, we can see the symptoms in this suffering child and father. One sense we get of the father is his feeling of helplessness, and also desperation. How many parents of suffering children go through such turmoil? People desperate for help to save a loved one can experience the same things this father expresses for us of humanity suffering for their loved ones in the same way. He turns to Christ as One who might help, as he has already brought the child to Christ's disciples. But Jesus reframes the problem here from one of simply finding help to one of encountering and engaging the difficulties of faith -- and this becomes an important question for us when we find ourselves under the similar circumstances of seeking help and care for loved ones, or even for ourselves. For faith always plays a role, even under modern circumstances with scientific medical advances, therapies, and new discoveries happening every day. For faith plays a great role in our persistence and especially with regard to our hopes and how we perceive circumstances and even opportunities for new outcomes. In this case, of course, Christ can effect a healing, and this particular healing is framed in terms of spiritual battle. As my study Bible puts it, when Jesus tells the disciples that "this kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting," it refers to all powers of darkness. So we must once again think about the historical practices of Lent in the Church in this context. What struggle are you engaged in? Is there a form of evil -- something punishing and cruel, overly laborious, extremely painful -- with which you are wrestling? Do you need help for a loved one and don't know where to find it? Faith comes in for all of these circumstances, because in faith there is hope and a needed light cast on our circumstances. All problems will not be resolved as we would choose ourselves, and all outcomes are not guaranteed. Death is a fact for our world. But faith opens doors of many needful things; in it is hope, and in it is love. In the kindness held in our faith is the acceptance of compassion and grace, and the light of Christ that opens our eyes to things not previously known or considered. The struggle for faith, in this perspective, becomes the central struggle for the world. In today's reading, we see that even for the disciples, this is the key to the path they are on. To engage in the prayer and fasting Jesus teaches here is to seek new ways of seeing a situation, new strength, the courage to face the challenges that come our way and to seek new answers we hadn't anticipated. Like the <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/he-entered-house-and-wanted-no-one-to.html" target="_blank">Syro-Phoenician woman</a>, prayers once helped me repeatedly approach a doctor who finally saved my mother a great deal of discomfort when no one else would. Continual prayer gave me strength to face circumstances in which my resources were gone. And such efforts help others as well, not only ourselves. We should always remember that Christ's teachings do not simply enforce for us the supreme value of faith and the need which we have for faith, but also that He may help increase our faith when we need it. Like the father in today's reading, we may start with a little faith, but there is also help for our unbelief in the struggle against a world of cynicism that too easily accepts what is evil as the final word. Christ has assured us that He has overcome the world (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016%3A33&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 16:33</a>); He invites us in to join His victorious struggle for faith.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-1954766533230116322024-03-15T11:54:00.000-07:002024-03-15T15:19:02.426-07:00This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves. Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 9:2–13 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that Jesus and His disciples went out
to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His
disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" So they
answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of
the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter
answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." Then He strictly warned
them that they should tell no one about Him. And
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and
be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed,
and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned
around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get
behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the
things of men." When
He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said
to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's
will save it. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/for-what-will-it-profit-man-if-he-gains.html" target="_blank">For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?</a> For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when
He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." And
He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing
here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present
with power." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up
on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before
them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as
no launderer on earth can whiten them</i>. The event described in today's reading is known as the Transfiguration. In Greek, it is <i>Metamorphosis</i>/Μεταμόρφωσις. It is a change of form revealing an inner reality, and clearly indicates the presence of God. This is what is called a Theophany, or manifestation of God, and reveals the divinity of Christ. The light which plays such a powerful role is a display of Christ's uncreated, divine energy (as it is understood in Orthodox theology), and this experience is made present, "shown forth" to the three disciples Jesus takes with Him up on this <i>high mountain</i>. This light is expressed in Christ's <i>shining</i> clothes, which are <i>exceedingly white, like snow, such as
no launderer on earth can whiten them</i>. See <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 John 1:5</a>.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And Elijah appeared to them
with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus</i>. Here in the appearance of <i>Elijah </i>and <i>Moses</i>, <i>talking with Jesus</i>, make clear the presence of the kingdom of God, and most especially the communion of saints (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12%3A1&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:1</a>). That the disciples can recognize them immediately also gives us to understand the presence of this communion which has no limit of time nor barrier to understanding. My study Bible says that Moses represents the law and all those who have died. Elijah represents the prophets and -- as Elijah did not himself experience death -- all those who are alive in Christ. So, therefore, my study Bible says, their presence shows that the law and the prophets, the living and the dead, all bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be
here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah" -- because he did not know what to say, for they
were greatly afraid.</i> Because of all the visible signs of God being extraordinarily present, Peter associates what is happening with the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of the coming Kingdom. It commemorates the time when Israel wandered toward the promised land and lived in tents, or tabernacles. So, He suggests to build tabernacles as at the time of the feast, symbolizing God's dwelling among the just in the Kingdom. It's quite notable that once again, we view Peter's impulsive nature in that he feels prompted to speak, and that all three disciples <i>were greatly afraid</i>. But what he says tells us that he is grasping the significance of what is happening. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" </i> Here is the completion of the Theophany. It is the manifestation of the Holy Trinity in the Father's <i>voice</i>, the declaration that Christ is the <i>beloved Son</i>, and the radiant<i> cloud </i>overshadowing the mountain and dazzling light surrounding Christ's person reveal the presence of the Spirit. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only
Jesus with themselves. Now as they came down from the mountain, He
commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen,
till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to
themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they
asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come
first?" Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first
and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of
Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I
say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they
wished, as it is written of him."</i> When the disciples witnessed and recognized Moses and Elijah talking with the Lord, it prepared them to understand Christ's words here that Elijah has already come. Because of what they have seen they know this refers to John the Baptist. My study Bible says that their eyes have become opened to the fact that Malachi's prophecy (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+4%3A5-6&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Malachi 4:5-6</a>) refers to one coming "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A17&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 1:17</a>), rather than to Elijah himself.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">According to Strong's definitions, the Greek verb that describes what happens to Christ in today's reading (metamorphose) is structured as follows: "from /metá, 'change after being with' and /morphóō, 'changing form in keeping with inner reality' – properly, transformed after being with; transfigured." We note the nuance in the explanation "transformed after being with." This is important because it teaches us what it means for us to truly imitate Christ, and why the Transfiguration has significance for each of us. Certainly it reveals the realities of Christ and the realities of the Kingdom that are necessary for us to understand and even to experience over time as part of our faith. But there is a deeper element to the Transfiguration in its meanings for each of the faithful. For we are also meant to be transformed, or transfigured, into our true nature through time and through the exercise of our faith. That is, our own faith in Christ is meant to produce a transfiguring growth in us through time and through our lives, in which our own true nature is revealed as a child of God by adoption. This is also understood as "true self" in the sense of who we are in the image of Christ that is created for us. "Being with" Christ, praying to Our Father, in the Holy Spirit, we are transformed through faith. Moreover, in the saints of the Church who have themselves been transfigured in this sense we also see the revelation of who they are in Christ, and this is why they are understood to dwell in holiness as is meant by the word "saint." To recognize the communion of saints in today's reading is to understand how we, also, can dwell in this Kingdom even in our worldly lives, and be touched by that experience to reveal something truer and deeper within us. Moreover, we're meant to grapple with the things we find within that stand in the way of that true self and its revelation, to discard the stumbling blocks, false beliefs, and misguided desires we have that would obscure and hinder that process. This is part of the understanding of the practices of Lent and the traditional emphasis on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We learn to give of ourselves, to give up things that we're better off without, and to seek the true light that Christ shines for us within and live that life He offers. Sometimes this is more difficult than one thinks, when friends and acquaintances, or even loved ones, are used to the person who needs to change and find that change unacceptable or difficult. Sometimes the things we're called to which reflect a deeper understanding of love or grace than we previously had seem odd to people who have different assumptions, or live by more worldly cultural values than the ones we're led to in faith. Our own lives may even seem somewhat strange to us, when we let go of goals which no longer seem truly worthy of all of the effort we put into them, and seek less tangible goals instead. The wisdom of valuing things more subtle than previously understood is not always obvious to others, or even those close to us. The greatest example of all is Christ, whose suffering was in itself transfiguring to the world. In fact, in Christ the Passion transfigured suffering itself into something having deep meaning and purpose. The greatest symbol of transfiguration is the Cross, which was the most dreadful punishment of the Roman Empire, but was used to defeat the "prince of this world," and to usher in this period of the end time in which we live and await the judgment. The coming of the Holy Spirit brings to us all this gift of transfiguration in God's grace, supplying us with inspiration and hope, strength and joy, and the courage necessary to participate in this process and in the life of Christ for the world. So let us think about transfiguration, and the dynamic power of this light through which we are called to find out who we are as well. For it is there with the saints in the kingdom, with Christ at the Cross in His true glory, where we may find our own way to participate <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A51&version=NKJV" target="_blank">for the life of the world</a>. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-26473179307153599112024-03-14T18:02:00.000-07:002024-03-14T18:53:11.954-07:00For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 8:27-9:1 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that the Pharisees came out and began
to dispute with Jesus, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.
But He sighted deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation
seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this
generation." And
He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other
side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not
have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them,
saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven
of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because
we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do
you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor
understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not
see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I
broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of
fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." "Also, when I
broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of
fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." So He said to
them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/how-is-it-you-do-not-understand.html" target="_blank">How is it you do not understand?</a>" Then
He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged
Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out
of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him,
He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, "I see men
like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made
him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He
sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell
anyone in the town."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi;
and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say
that I am?" So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah;
and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say
that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."
Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. </i> This area of Caesarea Philippi, according to some, was a sparsely populated region, named for Caesar by Philip, the son of Herod the Great and brother to Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee (and earlier <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-want-you-to-give-me-at-once-head-of.html" target="_blank">husband of Herodias, Antipas' wife</a>). My study Bible comments that the question, "Who do you say that I am?" is the greatest question a person can ever face, for it is the question that defines Christianity. In the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, Peter answers this question more fully, saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A16%3B+John+6%3A69&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 16:16; John 6:69</a>). My study Bible says that the correct answer to this question prevents the Christian faith from being seen as merely another philosophical system or path of spirituality, for this answer is one that names Jesus as the one and only Son of the living God. This is a position that, in effect, excludes all compromise with other religious systems, as it places Christ in a unique position to God. Peter's understanding cannot be achieved by human reason (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016%3A17&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 16:17</a>), but only by divine revelation through faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A3&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:3</a>). Christ means "Anointed One," and is equivalent to the Hebrew title "Messiah." My study Bible further notes that Christ first draws out erroneous opinions about Himself. This is done in order to identify these incorrect ideas. A person is better prepared to avoid false teachings, it notes, when they are clearly identified.<br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things,
and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly.
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had
turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying,
"Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God,
but the things of men." </i> After Peter's confession (on behalf of himself and all of the apostles), Jesus here reveals the true nature of His messiahship. That is, the mystery of His Passion. My study Bible comments that it was expected that the Messiah would reign forever, so the idea that Christ would die was perplexing to Peter, and remained scandalous to the Jews even after the Resurrection (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1%3A23&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:23</a>). Christ's response comes as Peter unwittingly speaks for <i>Satan</i>, as the devil did not want Christ to fulfill His mission and save humankind through suffering and death.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He
said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me." </i>Here my study Bible comments that the <i>cross</i>, which was a dreaded instrument of the worst form of Roman punishment, is also a symbol of suffering by Christians in imitation of Christ. We practice self-denial, it says, for the sake of the love of God and the gospel. To accept such suffering is not a punishment, and neither it an end in itself. It is rather a means whereby the fallen world is overcome for the sake of the Kingdom, as well as to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A24&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Galatians 5:24</a>). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>"For whoever desires to save his
life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the
gospel's will save it."</i> Here Christ sets out the central paradox of Christian living. My study Bible describes it by saying that in grasping for temporal things, we lose the eternal; but in sacrificing everything in this world, we gain eternal riches that are unimaginable (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:9</a>).<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> </i></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>"For what will it profit a man if he gains the
whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in
exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in
this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will
be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy
angels." </i> Jesus asks,<i> "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" </i> According to my study Bible, this is a question which emphasizes the utter foolishness of accumulating worldly wealth or power, for none of this can redeem one's fallen soul, nor benefit a person in the life to come.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some
standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God
present with power." </i> Here we note that the story of the Transfiguration follows in the Gospel (tomorrow's reading), and this, my study Bible says, is the event to which Jesus refers. There will be those disciples who witness it (Peter, James, and John). It is also a reference to those in every generation who experience the presence of God's Kingdom. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">In our modern world, we're beset by claims of injustice, and needing to find ways to address its myriad occurrences, from the smallest level of intimate encounter to the greatest of whole populations that suffer unjustly. Perhaps one of the greatest stumbling blocks and temptations presented by the story of the Cross, and by Jesus' admonition that we, also, must follow and carry our crosses, is the idea of unjust suffering. If there ever is a story of worldly injustice, it is the story of Jesus on the Cross. Perhaps this is why, in traditional institutions of justice among us -- especially in countries with large Christian populations -- the importance of naming, addressing, and securing the rights of the accused has been such a central focus in the law. But what does it say to us of God's justice? And what does it suggest to us that we are taught to take up our own crosses and to follow Him? In theology, the question of why there is evil in the world when God is a just God is called a theodicy. There are various ways in which such a question has been addressed throughout history. But let us focus on the experience of evil and injustice in the world, and our response to it. Certainly the repeated examples of Christ's compassion for people and their needs tell us an important story. And there, too, we are asked to carry our crosses and follow Him, as we seek to imitate Him in His compassion also. For surely, Christ's innocence and even His great mercy and grace is part of the story of the Cross, and of the injustice done to Him in worldly terms. Too many people have had their own compassion and mercy abused in the world to think that Christ's suffering on the Cross is isolated to Himself alone. In fact, what we need to admit to ourselves that it is precisely because of the nature of evil in the world, and the world's experience of it, that the world needs such a Savior; that, in fact, the great issue of justice is resolved <i>only</i> through such a Savior. For Christ's suffering for us takes a form of transfiguration in meeting our suffering in His divinity. This could only have happened out of the most profound divine love for us, granting the security to us that no matter what it is that we endure in this world, whatever the injustice or evil, He has been there with us and is now and forever there with us. The Suffering Servant prophesied by <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah</a> is the One who goes voluntarily to the Cross for us, and the One who is resurrected in new life for us as well. So therefore, when we participate in His life, when we seek to imitate Him, we are a part of that life also; our suffering may also be transfigured as well. Jesus says, "<i>For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it</i>." We might try as hard as we can to find justice in this world, but perfect justice will always elude the world. Violence, force, and various other forms of manipulation or coercion have often been sought as either a retributive or corrective solution, but violence and other forms of power beget their own uncontrollable and unforeseen outcomes, and collateral damage. We can make systems to seek to protect justice, to emphasize truth, to protect the rights of people and especially the accused, even to define rights in a way such that they are codified and expanded. But we will never find perfect justice in a worldly sense or through worldly methods. It is simply too costly, and too subtle, and we still struggle "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:12</a>). For that cosmic struggle to be resolved relies upon more than human desire, and rests within a time frame we don't set, and with a judge who has told us that "of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A36&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 24:36</a>). As we seek to follow Him, so we may participate in His suffering via our own for the sake of the gospel, but we also may participate in His Resurrection. When we devote our lives to His way, our suffering has meaning and significance, and we look to the outcome of the life He promises, and it is in the joy of the Lord that we find our strength. Suffering can have surprising outcomes when we walk with Him through it, with all the weapons and armor and supplies we may find stored up for us and generously distributed to us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-20&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Ephesians 6:10-20</a>), and resurrection -- even in this life -- can take surprising forms as well. But let us consider that when we take up our crosses and follow Him, we also participate in the only form of justice that will have a full outcome, and for all the universe for all time. Let us consider how we, too, are called to His kingdom, and to the things of God.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-37388992535230134332024-03-13T14:03:00.000-07:002024-03-13T14:08:11.299-07:00How is it you do not understand?<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighted deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." "Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 8:11–26 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, in those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to
eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, "I have
compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me
three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to
their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come
from afar." Then His disciples answered Him, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/how-can-one-satisfy-these-people-with.html" target="_blank">How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?</a>" He asked them, "How
many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." So He commanded the
multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and
gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before
them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small
fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.
So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of
leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand.
And He sent them away, immediately got into the boat with His disciples,
and came to the region of Dalmanutha.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from
Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighted deeply in His
spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I
say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."</i> What is <i>a sign from heaven</i>? My study Bible explains that such a sign that is sought here would be a spectacular display of power. It says that the time of the Messiah among the Jews was expected to be accompanied by signs. But these hypocrites (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A1-3&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 16:1-3</a>) have not recognized the many signs already being performed by Jesus. Their hearts were hardened, meaning they have rendered themselves incapable of understanding -- and they ignored the works happening all around them. Jesus seeks followers capable of faith. These men only demand to <i>test Him</i>. Such tests set their own standard, and have nothing to do with the desire to perceive the things of God.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And
He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other
side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not
have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them,
saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven
of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because
we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do
you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor
understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not
see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I
broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of
fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." "Also, when I
broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of
fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." So He said to
them, "How is it you do not understand?" </i>My study Bible explains that the leaven of the Pharisees is their doctrine (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 16:12</a>) and their hypocrisy (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A1&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 12:1</a>). In Scripture, it says, "leaven" is used both positively (as in the parable at <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A33&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:33</a>) and negatively, as Jesus does here. In either case, leaven is symbolic of a force which is powerful enough -- and frequently subtle enough -- to permeate and affect everything around it (see St. Paul's usage at <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+5%3A6-8&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:6-8</a>). <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /><i>Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and
begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led
him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands
on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, "I
see men like trees, walking." Then He put His hands on his eyes again
and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town,
nor tell anyone in the town." </i>My study Bible points out that the people of <i>Bethsaida</i> were unbelieving (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A21&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 11:21</a>); and so, Jesus takes this blind man <i>out of the town</i> in order to heal him, away from the people who would scoff at the miracle and thus bring greater condemnation upon themselves. (See also the healing of Jairus' daughter, in which Christ put those who ridiculed outside; He shored up the faith of her parents with His exhortation, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/do-not-be-afraid-only-believe.html">Do not be afraid; only believe</a>" and with the presence of His three closest disciples.) Moreover, it explains the healing of this blind man in stages as showing that he had only a small amount of faith. Healing occurs according to one's faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A5-6&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 6:5-6</a>). But this little faith was enough, and it increased with the touch of Christ. In addition, my study Bible states that Christ's command not to return to <i>the town</i> is symbolic of the need not to return to our sins once we have been forgiven. <br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Today's reading once again takes us back to the essential issue of faith, and how important it is to our lives. But we go into some details here, in the few stories offered, and so the reading gives us to examine various issues about faith and what it does, and how we need it. All of these issues remain pertinent to us today, regardless of when they first occurred, or the ancient context of the Gospel. Taking the stories in today's Gospel reading in order, we first come to the Pharisees, powerful religious leaders from Jerusalem who seek themselves to regulate the faith. They come yet again to Jesus, after having engaged in an open confrontation (and <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/hear-me-everyone-and-understand-there.html" target="_blank">challenge from Jesus</a>) which subsequently sent Him temporarily into Gentile territory, where He <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/he-entered-house-and-wanted-no-one-to.html" target="_blank">wished to remain hidden</a>. This time, they come to Him with their own challenge, which we can see as a sort of line drawn in the sand. They demand of Him <i>a sign from heaven</i>, <i>testing Him</i>. Let us consider what testing Jesus means. First of all, this is a test of their own devising. But Jesus is in the world not to please human beings, nor effectively to offer proofs on others' terms, but to follow the will of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A50&version=NKJV" target="_blank">God the Father</a>. In terms of the works of God, it's up to these men, and all the rest of us, to seek to discern that same will -- not to impose tests upon God. For this reason, and likely many others, Jesus will not offer proofs on demand. His mission is to seek and find the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015%3A24&version=NKJV" target="_blank">lost sheep of the house of Israel</a>, who will come to Him by faith. These men test Him out of envy for their positions. This is "<i>the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod</i>," which comes in the form of desire for proofs on demand, essentially a way to test power, and a dangerous game of finding fault. But we can see that even the disciples are in some way affected by this, for they are effectively blinded to it. They don't understand when Jesus tells them to <i>beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod</i>, this type of gain-saying that sets traps by demanding proofs that cannot be delivered. If we look around, we can still see today similar sorts of traps set by those whose real desire is to reject God and faith for themselves, proofs that can't come, straw men which in fact prove nothing. These are forms of heresies asserted, such as claiming that if God is good there would be no evil in the world, or even echoing the taunting of the Pharisees at the Cross, that if Christ were really holy or divine He would not die on the Cross. These are very human ways to doubt God, whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and whose ways are not our ways (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055%3A8&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 55:8</a>). As such, they can become temptations for us, too. Here, the disciples are so set in thinking a particular very "earthly" way that they cannot understand what Jesus is talking about, and assume that He's upset because they've forgotten to bring bread with them. Apparently, they've also forgotten that Jesus has, in recent times, fed five thousand people in the wilderness out of a few loaves, and subsequently four thousand on another occasion in the same manner. Even Jesus seems to be perplexed at their lack of comprehension: <i>"How is it you do not understand?" </i>If ever we needed an example of how "proofs" do not work when it comes to questions of lack of faith, this is it. Nonetheless, such examples of the failure of Jesus' personally chosen disciples to understand are in the Gospels for a reason, and they are instructive to us for our own journeys of faith. Finally, there is the story of the blind man and his healing. It's most important that we pay attention to Christ's open efforts to find ways to shore up the man's faith -- first of all, in order to facilitate his healing to begin with, and second of all, in order to retain his faith and his well-being. My study Bible points out that the man begins with a little bit of faith, but this increased with the touch of Christ. The emphasis for us has to be on the recognition of the importance of taking steps to shore up our faith, even daily. For while some would seem to suggest that be "saved" means simply a one-time declaration which we can then take for granted, this isn't the story of faith the Gospels reveal to us. In fact, we really cannot take things for granted in the sense that, while God always extends love to us, we, however, have to do a little work. We must "work the works of God" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A28-29&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 6:29</a>). We need to work at shoring up our faith, including perhaps avoiding those who seek to tear it down when necessary, and finding ways for Christ to "touch" us, in worship services, in prayer, through our friends who help to shore up our faith, the communion of saints, good studying materials and literature that helps us, and so many other helpful things, even the beauty of nature or the goodness of a kind gesture. This remains essential for us to remember, not to take our faith for granted, but to remember how important it is to feed, nurture and protect it. Moreover, like the blind man and like the disciples, faith is not a one-time declaration, but a journey in which we're meant to grow throughout our lives. It remains of the greatest significance for us to remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength, as Scripture tells us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah%208%3A10&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Nehemiah 8:10</a>). Let us feed and nurture that joy, guarding our hearts and protecting the faith that makes us see, doing all we can so that we grow in that light.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-86910295101306496882024-03-12T12:21:00.000-07:002024-03-12T19:06:10.857-07:00How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar." Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?" He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 8:1–10 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, having engaged in an open <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/hear-me-everyone-and-understand-there.html" target="_blank">confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes</a> who came to Him from Jerusalem, Jesus arose and went to the
region of Tyre and Sidon. And <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/he-entered-house-and-wanted-no-one-to.html" target="_blank">He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden</a>. For a woman whose young daughter
had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His
feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept
asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to
her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the
children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she answered and
said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat
from the children's crumbs." Then He said to her, "For this saying go
your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." And when she had
come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying
on the bed. Again,
departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst
of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to
Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they
begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the
multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his
tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him,
"Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Immediately his ears were opened,
and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then
He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He
commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were
astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He
makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to
eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, "I have
compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me
three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to
their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come
from afar." Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy
these people with bread here in the wilderness?" He asked them, "How
many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." So He commanded the
multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and
gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before
them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small
fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.
So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of
leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand.
And He sent them away, immediately got into the boat with His disciples,
and came to the region of Dalmanutha. </i> This is yet a second feeding of a multitude (see the first at <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/and-jesus-when-he-came-out-saw-great.html" target="_blank">this reading</a>), and should not be confused with the first. They are two distinct miracles. (Jesus will refer to each in our following reading.) The differences between the two miracles are significant, especially in the symbolic values of the numbers we're given. In the first instance, there were five loaves. Five symbolizes the Law (as in the five books of Moses, or Torah). Here there are <i>seven loaves</i> and also <i>seven large baskets of leftover fragments </i>for the disciples to carry away. In the symbolism of Scripture, <i>seven</i> stands for completeness. Here my study Bible says, it indicates spiritual perfection. So, in the first feeding, Christ reveals Himself as fulfilling the Law; here, He shows it is He who gives spiritual perfection. We should understand also that in the Greek, "perfect" also comes from the word meaning "end," and so indicates a fullness of something. Additionally, in today's reading, the crowds have been with Christ for<i> three days</i>. This is the number of days He will rest in the tomb. My study Bible comments that participation in Christ's perfection can only come through being united to His death (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A3-5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Romans 6:3-5</a>). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> There are additional symbolic meanings we can look at in today's reading. Again, we start with a significant number, the<i> four thousand </i>who had eaten. Four is a number that signifies the world, and especially an identity vis-a-vis the world. We see it in the four directions of the compass, and the four arms of the Cross. In this sense, the perfection of Christ is also continually manifest in His gospel going out to the fullness of the world. That this number is four <i>thousand </i>symbolizes the vast, even uncountable multitudes that are reached in Him. His will be one sacrifice for all time, for all the world, continually giving and feeding multitudes upon multitudes. Moreover, the significance is there in the region this takes place. For now we are in territory that also has Gentile populations in it, further away from the religious leadership in Jerusalem. So the expansion of Christ's word and even the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A35&version=NKJV" target="_blank">bread of Christ</a> to all the world, including Gentiles, is here in the symbolic meanings of this event. Additionally, this feeding in the wilderness, even in this area which also has Gentile populations, tells us that the fulfillment of the Lord's feeding of Israel in the wilderness is also made present to all the world in Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2016&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Exodus 16</a>). The bread of heaven is fulfilled for all the world, for all time, in Christ. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-10065264168372810972024-03-11T15:27:00.000-07:002024-03-11T15:27:49.369-07:00He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 7:24–37 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">On Saturday we read that the Pharisees and some of the
scribes came together to Jesus, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they
saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with
unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do
not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the
tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do
not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they
have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper
vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do
Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but
eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did
Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:<span> </span>'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For
laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --
the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that
you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and
your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to
death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever
profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift
to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his
mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which
you have handed down. And many such things you do." When
He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/hear-me-everyone-and-understand-there.html" target="_blank">Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!</a>" When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His
disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are
you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever
enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter
his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all
foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For
from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these
evil things come from within and defile a man."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He
entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be
hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard
about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a
Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out
of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled
first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to
the little dogs." And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet
even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."
Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone
out of your daughter." And when she had come to her house, she found
the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed. </i> This same story also occurs is St. Matthew's Gospel (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15%3A21-28&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 15:21-28</a>), but with a couple of distinct differences, both of which reveal the Jewish orientation of that Gospel. Matthew records Christ saying, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Additionally, in St. Matthew's account, the Gentile woman uses the Jewish messianic title "Son of David" to address Jesus. But these differences, and Mark's account affirm something important to understand. Jesus went to the Gentile cities not to preach, but rather to withdraw from the faithless Pharisees, my study Bible comments. We first recall that just prior to this (see Saturday's reading, above) Jesus had been engaged in an open confrontation with the Pharisees and some of the scribes, as they had come from Jerusalem and questioned Him about His disciples' practices. In today's reading, St. Mark's Gospel tells us that Jesus <i>entered a house and wanted no one to know</i> that He was there. When Jesus says, <i>"Let the children be filled
first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to
the little dogs," </i>this sounds extremely harsh to our ears. First of all, we have to understand this is not a reference not to outside dogs, but to house dogs who are puppies who beg under the table. We also must take it in context of the statement in Matthew's Gospel that He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But importantly it does, in fact, prompt the showing of her faith in both her persistence and her humility before Christ. She doesn't respond with an angry argument or insult, but rather with a very smart way to express who she is: "<i>Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs</i>." We can see how favorably Christ views her precisely for her response: <i>"For this saying go your way; the demon has gone
out of your daughter." </i></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Again,
departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst
of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to
Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they
begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the
multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his
tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him,
"Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."</i> My study Bible comments here that Christ's sigh is a sign of divine compassion for the sufferings of our fallen human nature. Let us note that the <i>Decapolis</i> is yet another [mostly] Gentile region, with widespread Greco-Roman cultural influence. (The name means "ten cities" in Greek.)<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Immediately his ears were opened,
and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then
He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He
commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were
astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He
makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." </i>According to my study Bible, the Lord here show us that we must not seek acclaim or praise when we do good to others. But, as an interesting contrast, Theophylact upholds those who disobey Christ. He sees them as a good example under the circumstances, that in fact we should proclaim those who have done good to us, even if they do not want us to.<br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Today's text tells us that Jesus went to the <i>region of Tyre and Sidon</i>, and we can easily infer it is a response to the conflict with the religious leaders from Jerusalem (see Saturday's reading, above). But most interestingly, the Gospel tells us that <i>He
entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden</i>. This inability to stay hidden, even against Christ's reported intentions is a surprising and notable message. We can only guess at what Christ knew in advance, or what becomes revealed through His ministry, either through the will of God the Father, or perhaps the workings of God the Holy Spirit. We've seen -- perhaps most dramatically -- in the recent reading, how it is Christ's almost visceral compassion that led His ministry into a new, powerful, and essential turning point, in the feeding of the five thousand men (in <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/and-jesus-when-he-came-out-saw-great.html" target="_blank">this reading</a>). It's instructive to review the Greek language of the text for "moved with compassion." This verb is a word based on what is today the modern Greek word for spleen. But it means, essentially, to be moved in the inward parts. To use an American idiom, we could say it means being moved "in the gut"; that is, in the heart, lungs, kidney, and liver. According to Strong's definitions, these later came to be understood as the seat of the affections. This term is also used in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+1%3A41&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 1:41</a>, when Christ is said (in English) to have been moved with compassion to touch a leper and heal him. In both cases, we can understand this term as leading to actions He might not have considered otherwise; each breaks a new kind of ground for His ministry. The feeding in the wilderness does not simply evoke the feeding of Israel in the wilderness by the Lord, but clearly prefigures the Eucharist. The touching of the leper is forbidden by the Law; but Christ as the author of the Law reminds us that "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sabbath-was-made-for-man-and-not.html">The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath</a>." Here, the fact that he could not be hidden works in a similar way to Christ's suddenly being touched in the inward parts with compassion. There is an action which seems unplanned, almost uncontrolled, but in fact cannot be stopped. And it is yet another great turning point. For this inability to be hidden leads to the woman's acceptance by Jesus, pointing to the gathering of the Gentiles into the Church after Pentecost -- as my study Bible phrases it, no longer as <i>dogs</i>, but as <i>children</i> who are invited to eat the <i>bread</i> of eternal life. This 'movement of the inner parts' as well as the fact that Christ "could not be hidden" remind us of the hidden movements and mysterious growth of the kingdom of heaven portrayed in Christ's parables, perhaps especially the parables of the growing seed (found only in Mark's Gospel) and of the mustard seed (see <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/with-same-measure-you-use-it-will-be.html" target="_blank">this reading</a>). The "growth" we witness in today's reading is of two different types. First of all, because <i>He could not be hidden</i>, there is the growth in who constitutes the people of God. And second, the miraculous healing whose proclamation also cannot be stopped, despite the efforts of Jesus to do so. In both instances the Kingdom has now been extended to Gentiles -- to the Greek-speaking Syro-Phoenician woman of Tyre and Sidon, and among the Gentiles in the Decapolis who no doubt hear the good news. What can see is that the Kingdom has a type of energy that grows of its own energies, in unexpected and unstoppable ways, reminding us of the nature of the Holy Spirit, as taught by Jesus to Nicodemus: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-58162617353777154242024-03-09T13:18:00.000-08:002024-03-09T19:50:44.527-08:00Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>'This people honors Me with their lips, </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>But their heart is far from Me.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>And in vain they worship Me,</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 7:1–23 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that when evening came, the boat of the disciples, whom Jesus had sent on their way without Him, was in
the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them
straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the
fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would
have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they
supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were
troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/be-of-good-cheer-it-is-i-do-not-be.html" target="_blank">Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid</a>." Then He went up into the boat
to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in
themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood
about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. When
they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored
there. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people
recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to
carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.
Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid
the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch
the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then
the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come
from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with
defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the
Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a
special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from
the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many
other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of
cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and
scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the
tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He
answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites,
as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For
laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men --
the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that
you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and
your mother'; and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to
death.' But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever
profit you might have received from me is Corban" -- ' (that is, a gift
to God), "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his
mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which
you have handed down. And many such things you do."</i> My study Bible comments on this passage that the issue here is not the observation of Jewish customs or traditions, which Jesus most certainly never prohibits (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A17-19%3B+23%3A23&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 5:17-19; 23:23</a>). At issue is the setting of human traditions which are effectively contrary to the tradition of God. The<i> tradition of the elders</i> is a body of interpretations of the Law. For the <i>Pharisees </i>and the <i>scribes</i> this became as authoritative as the Law. In fact, it often superseded it, which is the point of the example Christ cites here. According to this tradition, one could make an offering (called <i>Corban</i>) which could be promised to God in a way that personal property or earnings could still be used for oneself -- but not for anybody else, including elderly and dependent parents. My study Bible comments that secondary traditions such as this obscure the primary tradition of the Law, which is contained in the commandments of God. Jesus quotes from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+29%3A13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 29:13</a>.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear
Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from
outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him,
those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let
him hear!" When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His
disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are
you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever
enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter
his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all
foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For
from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these
evil things come from within and defile a man."</i> My study Bible comments here that food cannot defile a person because it is created by God and is therefore pure. Evil things are not from God, and these things Jesus names are what defile a person.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Today's reading is extremely pertinent to a Lenten perspective. As it is traditional that during Lent we are to focus inwardly, and to work on practices of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, we see that Christ's teaching to His disciples directly impacts such practice. Jesus first has a confrontation with the Pharisees and the scribes in which they criticize His disciples. They don't follow the ceremonial washing as taught in the tradition of the elders. The ritual washing seems to reflect a concern with eating anything deemed unclean or common in a spiritual sense. But Jesus responds by calling out their hypocrisy, and quoting Isaiah the prophet to them in this regard. This seems to be a very direct attack by Jesus, on a subject which gets its most full treatment in His final indictment of the religious leadership in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 23</a>. He first uses the example of a religious gift or offering which would consist of promising one's goods to be given to the temple after death. However, such a promise meant one could continue using property, but would be restrained from sharing it with others, such as needy parents -- and thus convening the command of the Law to honor father and mother (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Exodus 20:12</a>). But when Jesus speaks to the multitude (which <i>He called to Himself</i>), His focus shifts. This time, He is not directly rebutting the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes directed at His disciples, but He is now preaching to the crowd, teaching them an important principle of spiritual life, and our connection to God and community. What defiles, Jesus says, is not the things that come from the outside. Instead, Jesus says, it is "<i>the things which come out of him,
those are the things that defile a man." </i>As is often the case, such as with His parables, Jesus explains this "riddle" privately to His disciples. It is the things of the heart which can defile us, not the foods which our body eliminates. Jesus teaches them, "<i>What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For
from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these
evil things come from within and defile a man." </i>That all of these <i>evil </i>things Jesus names<i> come from within</i> should give us all pause, because Lent is the time when our focus goes more strongly toward the inward things of the heart. These are things which are not only good, such as compassion or the action of grace or the Holy Spirit, or even the faith we need in our lives. But there are also things stored in the heart which can defile us, and that is what Jesus is talking about here. Throughout His ministry, and especially in teaching directed at those who would be His disciples, Jesus asks us to focus on what is within, and to repent and change the things that need changing. Repentance itself is a word that means to change in the Greek; it literally means "change of mind." But this isn't simply an intellectual choice, which Jesus makes clear here. This is a matter of the heart, an interior condition that may be deep within us, and which we probably need a particular level of awareness to discern about ourselves. It's easy to be blind to our own flaws, as Jesus teaches when He asks, "And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A1-5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 7:1-5</a>. As we can read in that passage, this concept is directly linked to hypocrisy. This also is related to the things of the heart He speaks of in today's passage. Twice in Matthew's Gospel, He likens this process of changing one's own interior to a sense in which one must remove a hand, or foot, or eye. When preaching against adultery, He says, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." In Matthew 18, he warns the disciples about their own tendencies which would cause them to mislead the "little ones" in the Church: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. . . . If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire" (Matthew 18:6-9). When we read these passages, we should consider that an eye looks in a covetous way, a hand reaches where it should not go, a foot trespasses. The <i>evil eye </i>which Jesus speaks of in today's reading is associated with the way we see others, how we look or glimpse -- and in particular is associated with the harmful effects of envy and their tendency to malevolence. This sense is one which can manifest the desire to take away or destroy the blessings of others. Let us focus, then, on the inward things Jesus speaks about, and consider the heart. For our prayer is meant not only to be a part of the mind, but in the historical teachings on prayer (especially in the Orthodox tradition), we're asked to pray with the "mind in the heart." In this way, our prayers are meant to illuminate this interior place Christ asks us to focus on, so that we may cast off what truly defiles, and put our focus where it belongs. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-57453968880163317142024-03-08T16:21:00.000-08:002024-03-08T20:53:57.146-08:00Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 6:47–56 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that the apostles, returning from their first mission, gathered to Jesus
and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had
taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted
place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they
did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in
the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and
many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived
before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw
a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they
were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many
things. When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and
said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send
them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages
and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." But
He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And
they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of
bread and give them something to eat?" But He said to them, "How many
loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said,
"Five, and two fish." Then He commanded them to make them all sit down
in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds
and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish,
He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to
His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them
all. So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets
full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves
were about five thousand men. Immediately
He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other
side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had
sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He
was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the
wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came
to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when
they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried
out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked
with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be
afraid." Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. </i> My study Bible comments that this is the second time that Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see also <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html" target="_blank">this reading</a> from a week ago). The first time, He was with them. But this time, He had sent them across the sea alone, while He stayed behind on the mountain for solitary prayer. In this way, my study Bible says, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life. "It is I" translates literally to "I Am," which is the divine Name of God (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A14%3B+John+8%3A58&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Exodus 3:14; John 8:58</a>). In this way, Christ reminds the fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and
marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their
heart was hardened. </i> To know Christ is a matter of the <i>heart</i> and not simply the intellect. When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, my study Bible says, they are open to receive Christ's presence and grace. In the ascetic writings of the Church, it adds, the heart is known as "the seat of knowledge." Interestingly, When Christ tells the disciples to "be of good cheer" in the previous verses, this is a word that means to "take courage" or "be emboldened." It might be rendered by the common expression to "take heart." But it means to be warmed from within. So, in this sense, Christ's call to "be of good cheer" is also a matter of the heart.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and
anchored there. And when they came out of the boat, immediately the
people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and
began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard
He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might
just touch the hem of His garment. </i>And as many as touched Him were made
well. My study Bible states that Christ permits miracles though<i> touch </i>in order to show that His very body is life-giving (see also <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A25-29&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 5:25-29</a>). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Jesus shows up to the disciples, walking across the water, on the sea, and tells them, "<i>Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid</i>." We must always note that it is <i>about the fourth watch of the night</i>, meaning this takes place at approximately three o'clock in the morning. If we think about our own times of panic and fear, we can associate the time of "about" three o'clock in the morning with the stuff of nightmares, bad dreams, sudden fears, panic attacks. F. Scott Fitzgerald has famously written, "In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o'clock in the morning, day after day" (<a href="https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a4310/the-crack-up/" target="_blank">The Crack Up</a>, 1936). It's a time when we're seen to be vulnerable, and our sleep can be disturbed. Sometimes these fears are attributable to influences that steer us away from Christ, from our faith. After all, as we have read so often across our recent readings from the lectionary, Christ is constantly contrasting faith with fear. He has repeatedly reminded those in His care to substitute faith for fear. He told Jairus who sought help for his daughter, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/do-not-be-afraid-only-believe.html">Do not be afraid; only believe</a>." The previous time the disciples were desperately afraid crossing the sea while Jesus slept, He told them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html">Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?</a>" The woman with the twelve year blood flow "took heart" and courage, facing all of her fears in her deep need for help, because of her faith in Christ, and touched His hem and was healed (in the same reading as the story of Jairus and his daughter). Repeatedly we observe this call from Christ, and as He calls to us today, we must observe the same dichotomy and contrast between fear and faith. When He makes His appearance before the apostles in today's reading, even walking across the water, there is another sort of "spooky" element to the story; they fear that they are seeing a ghost. Even this adds to the contrast of fear and faith. For ghosts were then and remain a part of the lore of fearfulness, of things that make us afraid, and it is once again Christ who banishes the tyranny of fear. His command, to "<i>be of good cheer!</i>" is rooted in a verb that means to "warm." It's a call to be warmed up and thus emboldened from the inside, from the heart. So even this is in contrast to the fearful time in the dark on the sea at 3:00 A.M., in what was no doubt a cold wind blowing against them as they strained at rowing. Christ the true Light is the One who brings the lamp of His fire to us, so that we might see in the dark, but maybe more importantly, so that we are warmed up, emboldened, and take good cheer from within. We take heart in His light, we can trust in Him, and He can show us the way. He is the one who banishes the ghosts of our fears and guides us forward, but we must take heart in Him and trust. Perhaps it is for this reason that the Church teaches historically that we need to guard our hearts, banishing fear, but also being willing to pray into our pain and uncertainty, to reach for Him and His words of eternal life. Our deepest fears may be confronted in Him, if we but have the courage to meet them His way. And this is the journey for us of faith through Lent when we are reminded that we are to place all things in His hands and cast off the things we're to leave behind. Let us not allow our hearts to be hardened. The ghosts of the past cannot haunt us if we allow ourselves to be led by the light of His lamp.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-24249742577091300752024-03-07T14:14:00.000-08:002024-03-07T19:32:03.420-08:00And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><p> </p><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 6:30–46 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">In yesterday's reading, we read about the apostles' first mission. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Now
King Herod heard of Jesus, for His name had become well known. And he
said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these
powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And others
said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." But when Herod
heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from
the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound
him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for
he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful
for you to have brother's wife." Therefore Herodias held it against him
and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John,
knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when
he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Then an
opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his
nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when
Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and
those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you
want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you
ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and
said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John
the Baptist!" Immediately she came in with haste to the king and
asked, saying, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/i-want-you-to-give-me-at-once-head-of.html" target="_blank">I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter</a>." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because
of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to
refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his
head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his
head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her
mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his
corpse and laid it in a tomb.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what
they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come
aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there
were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So
they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. </i>The story of the beheading of John the Baptist in yesterday's reading (see above) is given parenthetically, so to speak, so that we understand why King Herod Antipas now feels threatened by Jesus. Here the apostles return from their successful first mission, in which they healed many and cast out demons. Herod suspects that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead, and this explains the power manifest in Christ's ministry. As my study Bible says, the King fears John the Baptist even when he is dead. Christ's ministry and renown have now grown so much that <i>there
were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.</i> So He seeks to retreat to a deserted place (once again using a boat) so that they may <i>rest a while</i>. My study Bible comments that Christ gives rest to His disciples to show those engaged in preaching and teaching that they must not labor continuously, but also must take rest.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there
on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together
to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was
moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a
shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. When the day was now
far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted
place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go
into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for
they have nothing to eat." </i>Here is another example of Christ's<i> compassion</i>, arising out of seemingly unforeseen circumstances. So desperate are the people for what Christ offers, that they even <i>ran there on foot from all the cities</i> to follow Him. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And
they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of
bread and give them something to eat?" But He said to them, "How many
loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said,
"Five, and two fish." Then He commanded them to make them all sit down
in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds
and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish,
He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to
His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them
all. So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets
full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves
were about five thousand men</i>. This feeding miracle is reported by all four Evangelists. It shows Jesus feeding a great multitude, just as He, the Lord, fed the Israelites in the desert (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Exodus 16</a>). In the patristic perspective of the Church, this feeding is seen as an image of the Eucharist, an idea my study Bible says is made clear in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 6</a>. There is yet a second feeding in the wilderness (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A1-10&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 8:1-10</a>), in which four thousand are fed with seven loaves and a few small fish. Some suggest they are the same story, but their differences are distinct, and Christ Himself refers to each (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A14-21&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 8:14-21</a>). There is an additional spiritual interpretation given in my study Bible, in which it is taught that the<i> five loaves</i> indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and thereby feed the universe. The<i> two fish</i> are the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teaching of the fishermen. In the gathering of the leftovers, the apostles gather enough for a basket each. It shows that the teachings which the faithful are not able to grasp nevertheless remain held in the consciousness of the Church. The text tells us that <i>when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish,
He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to
His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them
all. </i>It not only suggests the Eucharist in distribution by the disciples, but His prayer and blessing show us we, also, should give thanks to God before we each. The terminology points to the Last supper (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A22&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 14:22</a>) and so leads to a Eucharistic interpretation, my study Bible says. As the disciples distribute the bread to the multitudes, so Christ continues to feed the Eucharist to His flock today through His bishops and presbyters.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to
the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And
when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. </i>Our reading began with Jesus seeking to take the disciples aside to a deserted place where they could rest, after their return from their first apostolic journey. Here, it ends with Jesus Himself retreating to the mountain to pray in solitude, while He sends the disciples across the Sea, and the multitude away. We have commented in recent readings about Christ and the mountain top moments that mark His ministry. Here His withdrawal for prayer comes on the heels of yet another extremely significant turning point, and that is this feeding of the multitudes in the wilderness. The Eucharistic significance is something that was commented on above, in citing notes from my study Bible. So from that iconic framework itself we understand this is yet another important marker in Christ's ministry. But let us note a factor in how that came about, and it is one which the Gospels report frequently. Jesus is confronted with a great crowd of people who have followed Him on foot, although He retreated with the disciples by boat, seeking to get away to a deserted place. Let us take a close look at Jesus' immediate response: He is <i>moved with compassion</i>. The text says that He was <i>
moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a
shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. </i>This turning point begins with this important hallmark of Christ's decision making: He is moved with compassion. And so, He first feeds this great crowd with what they need. He <i>began to teach them many things</i>, <i>because they were like sheep not having a shepherd</i>. Let's look at this almost visceral impression which Jesus receives upon seeing them, that <i>they were like sheep not having a shepherd</i>. This seems to give us a sense of Jesus' immediate perception of human hearts and their needs, for it is this to which He responds, and He begins to feed them what they need as lost sheep who need a Shepherd. He gives them teachings to guide their lives. Whatever happens next, this great "landmark" event of the feeding of the five thousand men (and yet more women and children were present as well) is sparked through Christ's immediate perception of the need of these people who are like sheep without a shepherd. And so, in the context of this great feeding in which we recognize the Eucharist to come, we should understand what Christ is doing. He is moved with compassion to take on this new turn in His ministry, the beginning of the Eucharist, and Himself as the Shepherd whom we need. For He feeds us not only with food, but with His teachings for us, even His Body and Blood which will be sacrificed and distributed so that He becomes a part of us, body, soul, and spirit. For we always need this Shepherd, and we need Him in all ways. We need Him to guide us throughout our lives in every facet, be it emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, communal, or any part of the deep needs of our souls, our minds, our hearts. Our Shepherd changes the course of His own search for solitude because He is moved with compassion for us, for the state of us which perhaps only He perceives as the true Shepherd we need. He shifts the course of His ministry yet again, and His retreat for solitary prayer with the Father is perhaps a hint to us of His own seeking with the Father the instructions for this new direction and development. Let us note also that immediately, now that they have returned from their first mission as apostles, Jesus teaches the disciples to do likewise to His flock ("<i>You give them something to eat</i>"). Let us be grateful for His eternal care to us, His flock.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-11423668145956691292024-03-06T15:19:00.000-08:002024-03-06T17:51:19.235-08:00I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have brother's wife." Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 6:13–29 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that Jesus came
to His own country of Nazareth in Galilee, and His disciples followed Him. And when the
Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing
Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And
what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are
performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and
brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters
here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But
Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own
country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could
do not might work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick
people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.
Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And
He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two,
and gave them power over unclean spirits. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/he-commanded-them-to-take-nothing-for.html" target="_blank">He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics</a>. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house,
stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not
receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust
under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should
repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who
were sick, and healed them. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. </i> This verse was also included in yesterday's reading; as noted there my study Bible comments that to anoint the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but also sacramental. God' healing power is bestowed through creation, and there are various examples of such throughout Scripture (<a href="Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:1-12" target="_blank">Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:1-12</a>). In such a way, oil is also a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A14&version=NKJV" target="_blank">James 5:14</a>). This verse, however, seems to be included with today's reading so that we understand the one that follows. The disciples' successful first apostolic journey, manifesting the casting out of demons and healing via Christ's shared power, sets the context in which Herod has become aware of Jesus.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he
said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these
powers are at work in him."</i> This King Herod is Herod Antipas, the son of the one who killed the infants in Bethlehem (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2%3A16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 2:16</a>). Although technically a governor, my study Bible says, he was popularly called king. Although he knows that St. John the Baptist worked no miracles while living, Herod now believes that John has been raised from the dead, and the things happening in Christ's ministry are <i>powers at work in him</i>. Therefore, my study Bible points out, he fears St. John the Baptist more dead than alive. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." </i>These are still references to the observed power at work in Christ's ministry. <i>Elijah </i>was expected to return and to work signs before the coming of the Lord (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+4%3A5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Malachi 4:5</a>). The Prophet, according to my study Bible, is interpreted by some to be a reference to the Messiah, the One foretold by Moses (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18%3A15&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 18:15</a>). But others interpret it as meaning simply that a new prophet had arisen. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has
been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of
John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother
Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have brother's wife." Therefore Herodias
held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod
feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected
him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for
his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when
Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and
those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you
want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you
ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and
said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John
the Baptist!" Immediately she came in with haste to the king and
asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the
Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because
of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to
refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his
head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his
head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her
mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his
corpse and laid it in a tomb.</i> My study Bible explains that this account of the death of St. John the Baptist is given parenthetically. That is so that readers will understand that his earlier death has resulted in Herod thinking that John had risen from the dead. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> There is a lot to "unpack" in today's reading. It's most interesting in terms of what we might observe about Herod Antipas, and in fact, about the whole lineage of Herod the Great. This was a family known for its bloodthirsty practices even in a time when ruthless power and ambition were something normal for rulers. We already know of Herod the Great (Herod Antipas' father) and his slaughter of the innocents of Bethlehem, and we can learn something from it to give us insight into what we read here of the behavior in Herod Antipas' court. First let us understand that Herod Antipas in today's story is the ruler of Galilee, and that he rules for Rome. His brothers ruled other provinces of Israel. We first note that Herod begins to become suspicious and even paranoid as he makes note of the "powers at work" in the apostles and generally speaking in the ministry of Christ. As he is a king who serves Rome, part of a family of ruthless rulers who killed their own family members for power, he is always going to be alert for any other sources of power, or people who seem to wield power in his jurisdiction. Like his father, who killed the infants of Bethlehem out of jealous protection of his own power when he heard about the birth of Christ, Herod Antipas also is going to jealously guard power and authority. This will also extend to a desire to control whatever is of worth in the province, including those who are influential. St. John the Baptist himself was a highly influential figure in his time, as he was popular with the people and widely seen as a holy man. So, when John the Baptist denounced the marriage of Herod and Herodias, as she had been married to his brother and the brother was still living, this is perceived as a threat. According to this story, it is particularly the ambitious Herodias who hates the Baptist for this, as John has suggested their marriage is not lawful. Subsequent actions of this particular king and queen reveal their historical (and eventually, failed) ambitions, ending in exile. But for now let us focus on the story, because it exposes all the unleashed and unregulated desires of this court. To have a daughter dance before powerful men would have been scandalous to the Jews in the first place, and yet this is fine for Herodias. It is also used as part of her scheming ambition. Such is the hatred of Herodias for John that she wanted to kill him. But Herod himself is a little more sophisticated with regard to the power of holiness, in the sense that he understands John is something special and different, set apart. Herod knew enough so that he<i> feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected
him. </i>Moreover, John must have obliged somewhat the king's curiosity and possible desire to learn from him, because <i>when he heard </i>John, John<i> did many things, and </i>Herod<i> heard him gladly. </i>But this is Herod's birthday, and he's in an expansive mood. <i>He gave a feast on his birthday for
his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. </i>He's so carried away by the dancing of Herodias' daughter in front of himself and all of these important men of his kingdom, that he swears to her a rash oath: <i>"Whatever you
ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." </i>There is a reason why this proves to be <i>an opportune day </i>as the Evangelist describes it. Herod is vulnerable to his passions and has let them get the better of him; Herodias has understood this and will make the most of it. She eagerly advises her daughter, who has such little sense of herself that she must ask her mother what to request. Herodias has a ready answer for the daughter who seems merely an extension of herself: <i>"The head of John
the Baptist!" </i>Her daughter takes this vivid and bloodthirsty sense yet another step further:<i> </i><i>"I want you to give me at once the head of John the
Baptist on a platter." </i> It's seems an illustration of the principle behind Jesus' indictment of the scribes and Pharisees: "For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves " (Matthew 23:15). Although Herod is<i> exceedingly sorry, </i>He does not have the courage nor the discipline to stand up to the pressures of the court. So,<i> because
of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to
refuse her. </i>It's in some way reminiscent of St. Peter's collapse of nerve before a servant girl when he denies Christ three times (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A55%E2%80%9362&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 22:55-62</a>). So in Herod's court, and in his conduct, we see the excesses of extreme passion: ruthless ambition, a lack of all proper respect for boundaries (including the protection both of holiness and of human life), an inability to "lose face" in front of the great men of his court, a young girl's seductive dance. All of these are antithetical to traditional Christian values of discipleship, and the point of seeking self-mastery in the disciplines of the church, including the ability to be humble, to "bear a little shame," in the words of one Orthodox priest who writes authoritatively on that subject (see <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Face-Knowing-God-Beyond-Shame/dp/B0C2WSSFSN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2C1Z8YSP5VCFG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.i301FB9Ag_tptUKbqNbH3kB6Sfe3aLDOwjP7r-xjp0bTsU3XTgpZnR167mMB2uOWUpCJimYo3REAmurYAl9qZ1zKh6O6deZxa9nNg8QXFthvgyQnqPjumt666p_l4ITKRz6JjsyfcwguTqbYz6jFlb11dnobv5PdDqPivrD4QClZO0sc4dPcEdSA5x3JukgJwACYOOYr4YTJFiKSw1LlxNlqY6IRfet2J4beuS8Tk7c.41z46vv3UBQMXsIQ6oZ7cStBrazyUtfqGsMLlGAxnHw&dib_tag=se&keywords=stephen+freeman&qid=1709760247&sprefix=stephen+freeman%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1" target="_blank">this book</a> by Fr. Stephen Freeman). Herod has no self-control, even though he has some kind of awareness of holy power; he has no ability to say no in these circumstances. And there, we come to the traditional practices of Lent (fasting, almsgiving, prayer), and their aim to help us to develop greater spiritual self-discipline -- and especially a greater detachment from our passions. Every indulgence is here, and so are the bloodthirsty and deeply unjust results. Note this is especially true of the lack of respect for innocence, whether it be of a child (Herodias' daughter) or of the holy man and prophet, St. John the Baptist. The other sense of "appetite" at play here is the desire to claim more power. There are two types of power at work to contrast: the holy power of Christ's ministry including now in His apostles and that of St. John the Baptist, and the material power of Herod and the rest of his court. We have recently been given to understand the response of Christ's neighbors from His hometown to the abilities He expresses; they both marveled and were offended (see yesterday's reading, above). John's holy power elicits similar responses: Herod marvels over his prisoner and has a curiosity as if examining a rare jewel or delightful new discovery, but Herodias is deeply offended and envious of St. John's capacity to limit her ambitions and material power. Here we meet with the force of envy that will be the ultimate culprit in the desire to murder Jesus (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A17-18&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 27:17-18</a>). For a holy power such as the one that works in Christ's ministry is not to be owned nor controlled nor limited by anybody; neither can it be harnessed for an exploitable outcome or end. This holiness may, in fact, touch any of our lives. But it will be up to us to either receive it and follow where it leads us, or we will stumble in the attempt to exploit it and use it. Let us consider how priceless the gift of grace, and how we so easily stumble, as the Scriptures teach us.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-69489639493242710702024-03-05T18:19:00.000-08:002024-03-05T20:03:09.682-08:00He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not might work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 6:1–13 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that when Jesus had crossed over again
by boat to the other side (after the encounter with the <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/go-home-to-your-friends-and-tell-them.html" target="_blank">Gadarene demoniac</a>), a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was
by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came,
Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him
earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death.
Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will
live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and
thronged Him. Now
a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered
many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and
was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she
came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If
only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the
fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she
was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself
that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said,
"Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the
multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked
around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and
trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before
Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your
faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your
affliction." While
He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's
house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any
further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to
the ruler of the synagogue, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/do-not-be-afraid-only-believe.html" target="_blank">Do not be afraid; only believe</a>." And He
permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother
of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and
saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He
said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not
dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them
all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those
who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took
the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is
translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl
arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were
overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no
one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His
disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to
teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying,
"Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is
given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is
this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses,
Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were
offended at Him.</i> This double response of being both <i>astonished</i> and <i>offended </i>is something my study Bible says occurs frequently with those who encounter Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11%3A14-16%3B+John+9%3A16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 11:14-16; John 9:16</a>). Christ's rejection in his own country is a foreshadowing of His rejection by the whole Jewish nation at His trial before Pilate (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A14-15&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 19:14-15</a>). We recall that the term<i> brother</i> is used to refer to all manner of relations, such as cousin or nephew. The brothers and sisters referred to by the townspeople are Jesus' kin, either children of Joseph via an earlier marriage, or other extended family. Mary had one Child; had she had others to care for her, Jesus giving her into the care of the disciple John at the Cross would have been unthinkable (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019%3A26&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 19:26</a>).<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his
own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He
could do not might work there, except that He laid His hands on a few
sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their
unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. </i>My study Bible comments that Jesus <i>could do no mighty work there</i>, not because He lacked power, but because of the <i>unbelief</i> of all but<i> a few </i>in Nazareth. While grace is always offered to all, only those who receive it in faith obtain its benefits. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by
two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to
take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no
copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on
two tunics. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house,
stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not
receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust
under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should
repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who
were sick, and healed them. </i> These <i>twelve</i> are those whom He called to Himself to both live with Him and learn from Him and to become apostles (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%203%3A13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 3:13</a>). In Greek, disciple means "learner," while apostle means "one sent out." Here they are sent out on their first apostolic mission. We note that here St. Mark tells us they were sent out <i>two by two</i>, and that St. Matthew's Gospel lists the names of the disciples in pairs (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A2-4&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 10:2-4</a>). My study Bible suggests that this possibly indicates who traveled with whom. It also notes that Jesus <i>gave them power over unclean spirits</i>, while Jesus Himself did so by His own power. Note that healings are closely connected with this power, and with anointing by the apostles. All of their actions and Christ's commands remind us of the power of the Holy Spirit at work after Pentecost. My study Bible says that to anoint the sick with oil has not only medicinal value but sacramental value as well. It notes that as God's healing power is bestowed through creation (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5%3A27%3B+Numbers+21%3A8-9%3B+2+Kings+13%3A21%3B+John+9%3A6-7%3B+Acts+5%3A15%2C+19%3A11-12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 5:27; Numbers 21:8-9; 2 Kings 13:21; John 9:6-7; Acts 5:15, 19:11-12</a>), so oil is a vehicle of God's mercy and healing in the Church (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A14&version=NKJV" target="_blank">James 5:14</a>). <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">In our recent readings, we have repeatedly been given opportunities to contrast fear with faith. This was so for the apostles crossing the Sea of Galilee through a terrific storm when they were frightened for their lives. Jesus said to them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html">Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?</a>" Surely the sight of the <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/go-home-to-your-friends-and-tell-them.html" target="_blank">Gadarene demoniac</a> in the reading that followed was fearful to all, but Christ cast out the demons and returned the man to health. In yesterday's reading and commentary, we discussed extensively the fear that must have been present for the woman who approached Jesus in secret, and also the fear of Jairus, whom Jesus told, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/do-not-be-afraid-only-believe.html">Do not be afraid; only believe</a>." In today's reading, we're given other reasons for people to fear. Jesus is rejected in His home town of Nazareth. The statement by Jesus, <i>"A prophet is not without honor except in his
own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house," </i>is found in various forms in all four Gospels, so crucial it is to the gospel message. (See also <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A57%3B+Luke+4%3A24%2C+John+4%3A44&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:57; Luke 4:24, John 4:44</a>.) As my study Bible notes, this rejection is also a prefiguration of rejection by the nation, which will culminate in crucifixion. But what is really important to note is that in Jesus' sharing of His power with the disciples, now sent out as apostles, He is teaching them to rely totally upon God. He tells them to <i>take nothing for the journey except a staff</i>, they are not to take extra supplies, "<i>no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics</i>." Moreover, Jesus teaches them, <i>"In whatever place you enter a house,
stay there till you depart from that place.</i>" So<i>, </i>in other words, they are to stay in the more humble places that will receive them first, and not "trade up" for better lodgings, as protected guests of possibly more important people.<i> </i>While these men are sent out without appearing to have material power, or even great significance within the society, nonetheless Jesus is teaching them of the power that will be at work in their mission is such that "<i>whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from
there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and
Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!</i>" Moreover, this power is manifest through healing and the anointing with oil. But, as is evident in the rejection of Jesus in His hometown, this power remains unknown to those who cannot receive nor perceive it. Those who do not receive nor hear the apostles are unaware of and completely insensitive to the presence of this power. Moreover, this power is not on display to "convince" anyone, to threaten anyone, even to save Christ from the Cross. So it is in the context of all of these factors in which we understand that the disciples are being prepared for their missions both through the frightening challenges that take them more deeply into their faith, and also through Christ's instructions which render them more dependent upon God at the same time. This tension between fear and faith is one that grows throughout the Gospels, and perhaps we are meant to accept and understand this more deeply in our own lives as we also meet the challenges to grow in our faith. We might find it hard to understand that anybody could find fault with Christ, and yet He meets adversity at many turns in His ministry, offending the religious establishment, the people of His hometown, and finding rejection in many places. Perhaps it's a lesson to us that, as we live in a world of debates, endless online discussion and squabbling, forums for opinion of all sorts, faith must find its way into our own understanding of what is true and real, and what is not. Rational argument and debate can continue forever, but faith relies on something different and deeper and more subtle. It also relies upon courage and our capacity for the strength that comes from trust in Christ. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-53926950481079844342024-03-04T14:14:00.000-08:002024-03-04T18:20:34.265-08:00Do not be afraid; only believe<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 5:21–43 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">On Saturday we read that, after <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html" target="_blank">crossing a stormy Sea of Galilee</a>, Jesus and the disciples came to the other side of
the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of
the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an
unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could
bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with
shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and
the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And
always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying
out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he
ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said,
"What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore
You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out
of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What is your name?"
And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." Also he
begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now
a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the
demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter
them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean
spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand);
and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and
drowned in the sea. So
those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the
country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then
they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had
the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were
afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had
been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead
with Him to depart from their region. And
when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him
that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said
to him, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/go-home-to-your-friends-and-tell-them.html" target="_blank">Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you</a>." And he
departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for
him; and all marveled. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a
great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one
of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw
Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little
daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her,
that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and
a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.</i> Here Jesus has returned from what we might call the strange experience in the country of the Gadarenes, and returned back to His ministry's "home" territory in Capernaum. <i>Jairus</i> is an important man, <i>one of the rulers of the synagogue</i>. We note yet again that St. Mark tells us that<i> a great multitude</i> was gathered to Jesus by the sea. This same "great multitude" follows Him and throngs Him as He goes toward Jairus' house. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had
suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she
had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about
Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For
she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her
body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately
knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the
crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to
Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched
Me?'" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the
woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came
and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to
her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be
healed of your affliction." </i> My study Bible explains that the healing of this woman demonstrates Christ's power to cleanse and to heal. In the Old Testament, hemorrhage caused ceremonial defilement, and imposed religious and social restrictions on a person, as contact with blood was strictly prohibited (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+15%3A25&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Leviticus 15:25</a>). Yet, even so, in this midst of this <i>thronging</i> crowd, this woman who considers herself unclean nonetheless approach Jesus secretly and with great faith. Jesus corrects her thinking here, as she could not hide her touch from Him, and neither is she excluded from Him because of her illness. He positively declares her powerful faith and its results to all by saying, "<i>Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be
healed of your affliction." </i>She is not only called a "daughter," but is sent with both a blessing (<i>Go in peace</i>) and healing. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's
house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any
further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to
the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." And He
permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother
of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and
saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He
said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not
dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them
all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those
who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took
the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is
translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl
arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were
overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no
one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. </i>Here my study Bible comments that authority over life and death is in the hand of God alone (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+32%3A39%3B+1+Samuel+2%3A6&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6</a>). As Jesus is of one essence with the Father, He has this authority (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A21&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 5:21</a>).<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">After word comes that Jairus' daughter has died, Jesus tells him while they are still on the way to his home, "<i>Do not be afraid; only believe</i>." These words remind us of Christ's words also to His disciples as they were sailing across the Sea of Galilee, and in the middle of a terrifying windstorm, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html" target="_blank">Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?</a>" Once again, Jesus juxtaposes faith and fear, emphasizing the importance of giving faith the upper hand. We should remember that the word in Greek for faith has as its root the word that means "trust." This does not mean simply an intellectual decision to accept a certain proposition, but an all-in kind of choice to trust in someone; specifically, to trust in Christ and His words. So often this choice to trust comes down to love. We trust in God, or we trust in Christ, or we trust another human being, out of a sense that we trust they love us. Regarding human beings, of course, this doesn't mean they are not fallible. But when it comes to Christ, we trust at another level, and for greater things than other human beings can do for us. Our choice to trust Christ may begin at perhaps a shallow level, but the depths of trust go to the foundational levels of who we are, a kind of disposition or orientation of the heart at levels we might not even consciously know or understand. This is because our relationship or communion with Christ extends far beyond what we know of the world, even of our experiences, but into soul and spirit. St. Paul writes, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Hebrews 4:12</a>). If we look at her carefully, we'll see that this woman with the twelve years blood flow embodies Christ's words teaching us not to fear, but instead to believe. For she must have had terrific fear as she approached Christ, not only in this very close and mingling crowd, but of the state of her uncleanness according to the Law. And yet, she trusted Christ enough so that her great faith was possible; she seems to have been certain that if she could just <i>touch His clothes</i>, she would be made well. We can also see at what deep levels this power of Christ works, for she did not have to make herself easily known to Him on conventional terms. The power within Him made a kind of connection through her touch of faith, and He felt that power go out of Him in response to her. By contrast there is the young girl, the daughter of Jairus, who is completely without a say in the matter of her healing. She lies at home on the point of death, and so her father comes to find Jesus and to plead with Him for help. Notice that this child's healing also depends upon faith in contrast to fear. But in this case, it is the faith of the parents that make the difference. In the face of discouragement from his servants, Jesus tells Jairus, "<i>"Do not be afraid; only believe." </i>Faith is so essential to this little girl's healing that Jesus takes His closest disciples with Him into her room. These are the three disciples whose faith in the strongest (James, John, and Peter) -- and notably, He puts out all those w<i>ho ridiculed Him</i>. Effectively, the faith of these together was enough for the young woman to be healed, even for the power of life and death to be at work in Christ on her behalf. Note how the work of faith, and also the power of Christ are unseen. But somehow we see their effects; these are at work in a kind of field that remains invisible to us although we are invited to share and to participate in it and know its effects (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203%3A8&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 3:8</a>). In our own times of struggle, let us remember the juxtaposition that Christ gives to the disciples, to the woman with the blood flow, to Jairus the ruler of the synagogue and father to the girl. Faith or fear. One asks us for trust in the One whom we know loves us; the other simply asks to undo hope.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-88614134189832739762024-03-02T13:24:00.000-08:002024-03-02T20:50:58.744-08:00Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 5:1–20 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, on the same day after<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/with-same-measure-you-use-it-will-be.html" target="_blank"> preaching in parables</a>, when evening had come, He said to the disciples, "Let us cross
over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they
took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also
with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the
boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep
on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not
care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and
said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was
great calm. But He said to them, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/03/why-are-you-so-fearful-how-is-it-that.html" target="_blank">Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?</a>" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one
another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the
Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met
Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling
among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,
because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the
chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces;
neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the
mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with
stones.</i> The <i>country of the Gadarenes</i>, my study Bible explains, is in a region in Galilee with a mixed population of Gentiles and Jews. Let us note this detailed and fairly careful description of this man whose life we can clearly say is in utter disorder. He dwells <i>among the tombs </i>with the dead and not with the living. He cannot be controlled, neither by himself nor by others who have sought to bind him <i>often </i>with shackles and chains. But even these <i>chains had been pulled apart </i>and the <i>shackles broken</i>. At the same time, no one could <i>tame him</i>; he is a state of chaos. Moreover, he is self-destructive: he is <i>always in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones</i>. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out
with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of
the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He
asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is
Legion; for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would
not send them out of the country.</i> This Legion of demons occupying this man and making his life miserable, recognize Jesus. They know He is the <i>Son of the Most High God</i>. They fear the time of judgment, and they also fear <i>torment</i>. We note that the text seems to indicate that Jesus immediately sought to exorcise this man. Moreover, even under the severe yoke of the demonic influence, the text says that this man<i> ran and worshiped </i>Jesus when he saw Him<i> from afar</i>. The Greek word translated as <i>worshiped</i> literally means to fall on one's knees, to kiss the ground before another as in prostration. But this word is often used for "worship." In whatever sense this is used, the text seems to indicate that the man reaches to Christ, although the demons fear Him.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all
the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter
them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean
spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand);
and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and
drowned in the sea.</i> The <i>swine </i>give us an indication that Jesus and the disciples are in a place with a great deal of Gentile population. My study Bible comments that this extremely violent and self-destructive death of <i>about two thousand</i> swine indicates that this man had been protected by God's care. Otherwise, he would have perished under the demonic influence. It also reinforces the understanding that swineherding was not lawful for the Jews, and shows the incomparable value of human beings, whose salvation is worth every sacrifice.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the
country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then
they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and
had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they
were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who
had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead
with Him to depart from their region. </i>This part of the text emphasizes for us that these people are likely to be Jews who are engaged in what was (for Jews) a sinful occupation: raising swine to sell to the large Gentile population in that region. These people make a clear choice: they fear Jesus. Rather than marveling at the transformational change in the man under the influence of the Legion of demons and his astonishing healing (they <i>saw the one who had been demon-possessed and
had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind</i>), the only thing that makes an impact on them is the loss of their swine. Rather than welcoming the good news and the power of Christ manifest in their midst, they <i>to plead
with Him to depart from their region.</i></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> </i></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged
Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but
said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things
the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And
he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done
for him; and all marveled. </i> Here is the response of the man who, while under the severe influence of a Legion of demons, ran toward Christ and <i>worshiped </i>Him. He does not want to stay in this place where the status quo of his affliction was preferable to those who beg Jesus to leave. He begs to get into the boat and become a disciple of Jesus. But Jesus has another plan for him, another way to share the gospel of Jesus Christ: "<i>Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things
the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.</i>"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> What we need to marvel at in today's story is the thing that is completely overlooked by the people who own the swine, and that is the great transformation that takes place in the former demoniac. This tormented man goes from being utterly disordered and impossibly unregulated, to peacefully <i>sitting and clothed and in his right mind</i>. How does someone go from being so entirely out of sorts to sitting quietly and clothed and in his right mind? This is a great transformation, an effective change made possible entirely by Christ. In our modern world, many people -- perhaps particularly city dwellers -- are familiar with sights of homeless populations and individuals. Many of these seem to be striking images of disordered conduct such as we read here: clothing in tatters, rambling speech, shouting, and all manner of inability to live in what one might call conventional community, such as it is today. But the picture we get of this man beset by a legion of demons seems to indicate one thing very clearly: all of this disorder within him and in his life is precipitated by the influence of the demons. While the demons plead with Christ not to torment them, what we can see is how they are indeed tormenting this man. Why is he cutting himself on the rocks? Why does he go about incessantly shouting? Why is he living among the tombs -- and why can he not be clothed or even tamed so that when he is, by contrast, simply "sitting" it is a revelation of good order? This clear contrast between the chaos of his demoniac life and his finally peaceful state through the power of Christ teaches us about the demons and what they do. They respect no boundaries whatsoever, neither those that one considers "should" be proper to them, nor the boundaries of this poor, unfortunate man who must live in the midst of a legion of them. He is their victim, a sort of scapegoat upon which they all parasitically rest and derive whatever it is that the demonic receives from people they afflict. The demons are bullies; this man is in a sense swamped by them and unable to fend them off alone. In short, Christ comes into this picture as Liberator, and He is a Liberator and Deliverer of a particular kind. Only He makes it possible for these demons, trespassing where they don't belong, and creating misery for the man, to be evacuated and routed out. As my study Bible points out, we can see how terrifyingly destructive they are in this almost savage scene of the swine rushing down the steep place to their deaths in the sea. It might help here to remember that in Scripture, cliffs can symbolize the perilous nature of sin. But all of this is lost on the people who simply respond with fear to Jesus. There is no faith in them. They care only for the swine which they have lost, and Jesus the Son of the Most High God is not welcome in their world. Christ's effect is too frighteningly "other" for them, outside of their norm, and beyond their entirely worldly set of values, where even this man who was lost and is healed seems to mean nothing to them. Let us also look at the bigger picture, and recall that Jesus has set sail with the disciples across a frighteningly stormy Sea of Galilee, seemingly just to come to this place. Here, He has found one man desperately in need of His saving power, and Jesus in turn sends the healed man home to the <i>Decapolis</i> (meaning "ten cities" in Greek, a region of great Roman and Greek cultural influence), to proclaim <i>great things
the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you. </i>Note that in contrast to the vicious world of the demons, Christ's powerful victory is not one of conquest and suffering, but one in which the demons are allowed to go where they want to into the herd of swine, and this man is liberated from his captivity -- especially through the <i>compassion</i> of Christ. On the one hand, modern readers may feel sorry for the swine. But on the other hand, they are simply the property of those for whom their sale and slaughter will bring profit, and who care absolutely nothing for the welfare of an afflicted human being. In this reading, then, we have the contrast of what we might call two kingdoms, one of the demons, and the other the kingdom of God, which Jesus bears into the world, as will the apostles (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 10:9</a>). Let us remember the great good news of the healed man, and the message of the Lord's compassion.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>
authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-61875039786754979802024-03-01T14:04:00.000-08:002024-03-01T15:35:19.892-08:00Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 4:35–41 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">In our recent readings, two great "landmarks" of Christ's public ministry have occurred. On <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-he-went-up-on-mountain-and-called.html" target="_blank">Monday</a>, we read that Jesus went up on a mountain, called twelve of His disciples to Himself, and designated them to become apostles. On <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/but-other-seed-fell-on-good-ground-and.html" target="_blank">Wednesday</a>, Jesus began to preach in parables to the great multitudes that now gather to Him. In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught more parables to the crowds: He said to them, "Is a lamp
brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on
a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed,
nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If
anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Then
He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/with-same-measure-you-use-it-will-be.html" target="_blank">With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given</a>. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not
have, even what he has will be taken away from him." And
He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the
ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should
sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields
crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full
grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in
the sickle, because the harvest has come." Then
He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what
parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it
is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when
it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots
out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its
shade." And
with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to
hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they
were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross
over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they
took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also
with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the
boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep
on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not
care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and
said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was
great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it
that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one
another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"</i> My study Bible explains that this story makes clear Christ's divinity as commands to the sea and waves can only be issued by God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+38%3A8-11%3B+Psalms+66%3A5-6%2C+107%3A29&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Job 38:8-11; Psalms 66:5-6, 107:29</a>). At the same time, He was <i>asleep</i>, showing us His humanity, and that as a human being, He needed rest. In His Incarnation, my study Bible says, Christ assumed all the natural actions of the flesh, of which sleep is one. So we have elements that teach us that Christ is divine and is the Messiah, and at the same time that He is fully human with human needs. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">My study Bible reminds us that this image of Christ in a boat with His disciples is one traditionally understood as an image of the Church. It notes that God both permits storms and delivers us through them, so that we can see God's protection more clearly. Furthermore, Christ's rebuke of the storm teaches us also about our own depth of need for Him, to calm the tempests that arise within us. As faithful, we all follow the footsteps of the disciples in this sense. Moreover, there's an important lesson here, as we keep in mind that Christ has only recently called the Twelve to become His particular disciples who will be the first apostles, sent out with Christ's power shared with them to heal and to preach and to cast out demons. In this sense, this journey prepares them for the journeys that will be now ahead of them, including the time when He is no longer in the world as the human Jesus. My study Bible says that here specifically, He deliberately permits this <i>great windstorm</i> to arise while He's asleep as a part of the process of perfecting the disciples faith, and to rebuke their weaknesses, so that eventually they will be unshaken by the temptations of life -- such as great fear. Here their faith, we can see, is still mixed with unbelief. They showed faith in coming to Him, but unbelief when they declared "<i>we are perishing</i>." We can see how Christ is shaping them for their future as the apostles they will become, sent out to all the world and in all kinds of unforeseen and indeed, dangerous, circumstances. Many of them will lose their lives or be forced to live in exile and through persecutions of the Church. But we may also model our own lives following this image of the disciples with Christ in the boat on the sea that is subject to occasional windstorms. Let us not forget, several of these men have spent their lives as fishermen on this very sea, and yet the windstorm is such that it is terrifying and they fear for their lives. So, when we encounter these images in today's reading, we should really consider viewing our own lives within this same framework. For Christ is preparing them through such challenging events for the things in their future, and for their lives as disciples and apostles. Indeed, discipleship means "learning" (the Greek for <i>disciple</i> means "learner"). As with athletes, discipline comes through testing and struggle, meeting new challenges to become more proficient at what we do. So it is with what are traditionally called "spiritual athletes." Every discipline of the Church is meant to help us to grow in our faith, and to become stronger in it, more masterful in this sense. The historical practice of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving during Lent are aspects of such discipline, and all are meant as a kind of training for faith. We might abstain from some food we like, but at the same time we develop the discipline to abstain from, for example, overindulging in fear or other passions, from letting them get the better of us and causing us to forget our faith. If we can see our challenges in life as ways to test our faith, to meet a struggle and find where our weaknesses are so that we might come to terms with them and strengthen ourselves, then we are on the right track to meet life where Christ takes His disciples. In this perspective, there is only the journey to consider and the immediate things at hand with which Christ meets us so that we may learn how to develop a deeper faith and reliance upon God. Let us consider that we are always being prepared for the spiritual journey ahead, no matter where it takes us or where God wants us to go. In this context, it's not the world's goals we need to meet, but the Lord who guides us and seeks what's best for that journey.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-58046850584158770082024-02-29T15:33:00.000-08:002024-02-29T17:28:21.762-08:00With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 4:21–34 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that once again Jesus began to teach by the
sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a
boat and sat on it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land
facing the sea. Then He taught them many things by parables, and said
to them in His teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and
the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground,
where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because
it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and
because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among
thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/but-other-seed-fell-on-good-ground-and.html" target="_blank">But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred</a>." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" But
when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the
parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things
come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" And
He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will
you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these
are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear,
Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their
hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they
hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no
root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when
tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they
stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones
who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of
riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and
it become unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold,
some sixty, and some a hundred."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i> Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing
hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but
that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him
hear." </i> Jesus speaks of believers as "light" in the Sermon on the Mount, and uses these words here regarding the <i>lampstand</i> (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A14%2D16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 5:14-16</a>)<i>.</i> Here in this context He speaks again of the revelation of mysteries, contained in the parables He gives to the people, for those who have <i>ears to hear</i>.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure
you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be
given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not
have, even what he has will be taken away from him." </i> My study Bible says that this is a call to attentive listening and discriminating response. We must not only <i>hear</i>, but hear properly. It says that <i>more will be given</i> to those who respond to Christ with open hearts, and they will grow in understanding. My study Bible quotes St. Mark the Ascetic, "Do the good you know, and what you do not know will be revealed to you." Again, words Jesus uses here are also found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel, and also in Luke's Gospel, each in a different context (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A2%3B+Luke+6%3A38&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 7:2; Luke 6:38</a>). No doubt this spiritual truth, applicable to many circumstances, was repeated by Christ many times.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on
the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed
should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth
yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the
full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts
in the sickle, because the harvest has come." </i> My study Bible tells us that this parable occurs only in the Gospel of St. Mark. The<i> kingdom</i>, it explains, is a reference to the whole span of God's dispensation or plan of salvation. The <i>man</i> is Christ, and the <i>seed </i>is the gospel (see Christ's explanation of the parable of the Sower in yesterday's reading, above). The man's <i>sleep</i>, in this understanding, indicates the death of Christ, from which He will <i>rise</i>. That the man <i>does not know how</i> the seed grows shows that Jesus does not manipulate people's response to the gospel; rather, each is free to receive it and to let it grow in one's own heart. The <i>harvest</i> indicates the Second Coming, when everyone will be judged on their reception of the gospel.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what
parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it
is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when
it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots
out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its
shade."</i> In St. Matthew's Gospel, this parable is paired with the parable of the leaven (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A31-33&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:31-33</a>). Both illustrate the explosive and expansive growth of the Kingdom. According to Theophylact (noted in my study Bible) this represents the disciples, who began as a few, but "soon encompassed the whole world." These also stand for faith entering a person's soul, causing an inward growth of virtue. Thus the soul can become godlike and even receive angels (<i>the birds of the air may nest under its shade</i>). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able
to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when
they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. </i>My study Bible comments that, to unbelievers, the<i> parables </i>remain bewildering. to those with simple faith, it notes, these stories using common images reveal truth in ways they can grasp, <i>as they were able</i>.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">My study Bible explains that the Hebrew and Aramaic words for <i>parable</i> also mean "allegory," "riddle," or "proverb." In yesterday's reading, Jesus told the disciples, "To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things
come in parables . . .." So, my study Bible comments, this can also be translated as ". . . all things come in riddles." So, as we read these various parables given to us here, and taught to the crowds by Jesus, let us note first of all that He explains them privately to His disciples later. That is, for those with what we might call receptive ears, so to speak, Jesus continues to elaborate the meanings of the "riddles" hidden in these parables. Such it is that we may also assume we will find meanings in the parables, and that, through faith, they may continue to render meanings applicable to our lives even at various times in our lives. We can see through patristic commentary and even the short notes in my study Bible, various understandings are possible, as the teachings of Jesus apply to so much and so many circumstances -- whether that be the apostles sent out as "seeds" or even the Church itself as a grain of mustard seed that grows with expansive growth. Even as individuals, we also may experience the same growth that works in us and produces expressions in our lives at various times, even so that we also may harbor angels and their work and guidance to us (as they ministered to Jesus in the wilderness during His time of temptation; see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201%3A13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 1:13</a>). So when we read these parables, let us do so with open hearts and open ears. We should not be surprised if, through faith, glimmers of meanings come to us as we experience various aspects of our faith throughout our lives. Jesus promises that "there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light." St. John's Gospel in particular emphasizes that Christ is light (the Creed says "Light of Light, true God of true God"); see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-9%3B+8%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:1-9; 8:12</a>. So, therefore, what we find in this image of the lamp that cannot be hidden is also the nature of this light: that it must spread and be shown, similar to the amazing nature of the growth that comes out of the mustard seed, and also the truths of God revealed to those who may receive them. These are mysteries to us as they remain hidden as we cannot grasp them; but note that Jesus <i>gave the word as they were able to hear it</i>. This light that cannot be hidden, these things that will be revealed, secret things that should come to light, all express the expansive, generous nature of God, what we might even call an explosive grace that is characterized more than anything else by a love that continually reaches toward us to share in that Kingdom, and desires for us to know as we are known, as St. Paul puts it (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2013%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:12</a>). Therefore, to know the parables is to revisit them as they show us new lights about our faith, as we become more "able to hear." Jesus teaches us, "<i>Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given</i>." With faith, we look forward to receive more of God's gracious light; for as we live that faith we're given, and share that light, so we step onto the path of more to be given.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-67714559420552343602024-02-28T13:02:00.000-08:002024-02-28T19:19:56.315-08:00But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat on it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>'Seeing they may see and not perceive,</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>And hearing they may hear and not understand;</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>Lest they should turn,</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>And their sins be forgiven them.'"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it become unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 4:1–20 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, after <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-he-went-up-on-mountain-and-called.html" target="_blank">Jesus called the Twelve</a> to become His apostles, they all went into a house. Then the
multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat
bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay
hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind." And the scribes
who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the
ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called them to Himself
and said to them in parables: "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/how-can-satan-cast-out-satan.html" target="_blank">How can Satan cast out Satan?</a> If a
kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a
house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan
has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has
an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods,
unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his
house. Assuredly,
I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever
blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy
Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" --
because they said, "He has an unclean spirit." Then
His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to
Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said
to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You."
But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And
He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here
are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My
brother and My sister and mother."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was
gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat on it on the sea;
and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught
them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he
sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came
and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much
earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it
withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up
and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good
ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some
thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He
who has ears to hear, let him hear!" </i> Once again we note that the text tells us Jesus began once more to teach by the sea, an affirmation of the growing numbers of people who are coming to hear Him preach. This time it is described as a <i>great multitude</i> -- so many, in fact, that He must sit in a boat to preach to people on shore. It is in this context that Jesus begins to teach in parables. This first parable (also the first to be given in the other Synoptic Gospels) is the Parable of the <i>Sower</i>. Let us note Jesus' words to the crowds: "<i>He who has ears to hear, let him hear!</i>" It is an allusion to the words of the prophets of old, which Christ will repeat in private to His disciples. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>But
when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the
parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things
come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" </i>Here Jesus quotes from the Old Testament prophets to indicate the reason for this new way of teaching by speaking in parables (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+6%3A9-10%3B+Jeremiah+5%3A21%3B+Ezekiel+12%3A2&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2</a>). These same concepts are repeated in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A14%3B+Luke+8%3A10%3B+John+12%3A40%3B+Romans+11%3A8&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:14; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Romans 11:8</a>. My study Bible explains that the mystery is the reality of the presence of the Kingdom itself, revealed in Jesus and perceived by faith.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will
you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these
are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear,
Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their
hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they
hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no
root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when
tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they
stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones
who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of
riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and
it become unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold,
some sixty, and some a hundred." </i> My study Bible explains that discipleship requires both that we have a personal relationship with Christ and that we <i>understand </i>what He teaches. It adds as commentary on Christ's explanation of the parable that the gospel of God's Kingdom is powerful, but our heart response determines its fruitfulness in our lives.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">It's makes particular sense that as those who come to hear Jesus expand in numbers, He begins to speak in parables. Moreover this first-given parable of the Sower also makes sense in this context, for in recent readings we're told that He has just appointed the Twelve, who will be sent out as apostles, with the message of the Kingdom. They are the ones who will be like the seeds of the Sower, spread out and planted in the world, as they also sow such seeds. The calling and appointment of the Twelve is an important turning point in Christ's ministry, signaling the time is right to spread the gospel beyond the places Jesus has been with His message. But let us note, also, that as the ministry expands in an extremely important way, at the same time opposition can be seen to Jesus (see yesterday's reading, above). My study Bible explains that parables are stories in word pictures which reveal spiritual truth. They are drawn from people's experiences in every day life; in this agrarian society, sowing and planting, watching crops grow and produce a harvest, are all images known and understood. But parables are intended to teach us about the kingdom of God; as my study Bible puts it, to give us glimpses of the One whose thoughts are not our thoughts and whose ways are not our ways (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+55%3A8-9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). Hence, Jesus speaks of mysteries, and in particular regarding those people "<i>with ears to hear</i>." These truths are not evident to all; and even among those who perceive, there are differences and degrees of understanding. Parables were widely used in Jewish culture, but Jesus makes them central to His teaching and brings them to a profound level that continues to be explored in understanding and to challenge us to grow in our own depth of perception and faith. While He explains the meaning of this parable to His disciples, we can clearly see that experiences of various types may be common to each of us: there are times when we hear the word and it immediately goes by the wayside, other times when we fall away with a little challenge, and still others when we stumble when we face opposition or tribulation. Which of us cannot relate to the notions of the thorns that choke the word: <i>the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of
riches, and the desires for other things entering in? </i>My study Bible also comments that parables challenge the hearer and call for faith to perceive the mysteries of the Kingdom. Insight into this Kingdom, importantly, does not come solely through an intellectual understanding of the parables. It says that spiritual enlightenment is communicated through faith in the Person, words, and deeds of Jesus Christ. Thus, parables are stories that work on levels deep in the heart, that speak to experience, and also tug at the places in our souls and spirits where we are open to more than we already think we know and can be led forward into the things that remain for us mysteries. When we think of the word being sown, and Jesus Christ the Sower, who is also <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201%3A1&version=NKJV" target="_blank">the Word</a> Himself, let us consider that among those who listen are the Twelve. They are newly chosen to be sent out to spread that word themselves, and yet they, too, need His explanation for the parable. In terms of the present yield of their original planting and work, the numbers their word has reached are far more than <i>thirtyfold</i> or <i>sixty</i> or a <i>hundred</i>. They are in fact incalculable to us now. But we should remember that while we also encounter mysteries and need insight and understanding and deepening of our faith as do the disciples, we, too, are invited to join in to their work. When Jesus reveals Himself to the Samaritan woman in John's Gospel, who then brings other villagers to Him, He tells the disciples that this saying is true: "One sows and another reaps.’' He says to them, "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors" (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204%3A36%2D38&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 4:36-38</a>). Let us take in this parable and drink deeply of its mystery within ourselves, for we also are invited into this activity of the Kingdom, and to enter into labors that produce its fruits for all.<br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-38241092765340220162024-02-27T10:57:00.000-08:002024-02-27T10:57:33.110-08:00How can Satan cast out Satan?<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> And they went into a house. Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 3:19b–35 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, after a <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sabbath-was-made-for-man-and-not.html" target="_blank">confrontation with the Pharisees</a> (who then begin to plot against Him), Jesus withdrew with His disciples
to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from
Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from
Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He
was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat
should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should
crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions
pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they
saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of
God." But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him
known. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-he-went-up-on-mountain-and-called.html" target="_blank">And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him</a>. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with
Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to
heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name
Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom
He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; Andrew, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,
Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And they went into a house. Then the multitude came together again, so
that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people
heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He
is out of His mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said,
"He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out
demons." Beelzebub</i> was a term used by the Jews as a form of ridicule of the God Baal, worshiped by the Philistines, and indeed in many places in the ancient Near East. When Israel fell into idolatry, it was significantly to worship Baal. Here the scribes call him<i> the ruler of the demons. Beelzebub</i> is translated as prince of "the dung heap" or lord of "the flies" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+1%3A2-16&version=NKJV" target="_blank">2 Kings 1:2-16</a>).</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can
Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that
house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is
divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong
man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong
man. And then he will plunder his house." </i>My study Bible comments that the impossibility of demons fighting against themselves illustrates the irrational pride and envy of the Pharisees in their opposition to Jesus.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and
whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the
Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal
condemnation" -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."</i> My study Bible says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is blasphemy against the divine activity of the Spirit; that is, blasphemy against pure goodness. This is what it is to claim that the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of demons. Those who accuse Christ of working by the power of demons know well the divine activity of the Holy Spirit from the Old Testament, and therefore are engaging in a willful hardness of heart and a refusal to accept God's mercy. Moreover, exorcism was already commonly practiced in Judaism (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012%3A27&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 12:27</a>). My study Bible adds that in patristic commentary it is clear that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not an "unforgivable sin" and neither does Jesus call it so. St. John Chrysostom teaches that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit would be forgivable if a person were to repent of it. My study Bible adds that Jesus makes this declaration knowing that those who blaspheme against the Spirit are calling pure, divine goodness "evil," and that they are beyond repentance through their own choice.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to
Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they
said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking
You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My
brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him,
and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the
will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." </i> My study Bible comments that Christ's relatives have not yet understood His identity and mission. He points to a spiritual family based on obedience to <i>the will of God</i>. My study Bible reminds us that in Jewish usage, brothers can indicate any number of relations. Abram called his nephew Lot "brother" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+14%3A14&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Genesis 14:14</a>); Boaz spoke of his cousin Elimelech as his "brother" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+4%3A3&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Ruth 4:3</a>); and Joab called his cousin Amasa "brother (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+20%3A9&version=NKJV" target="_blank">2 Samuel 20:9</a>). Still today across the Middle East, relations such as cousins are called "brothers." Christ Himself had no blood brothers, as Mary had only one Son, Jesus. Therefore these brothers mentioned here are cousins or possibly stepbrothers who are sons of Joseph by an earlier marriage. When Jesus commits His mother to the care of the apostle John at the Cross (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+19%3A25-27&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 19:25-27</a>), this is an act which would have been unthinkable if she had other children to care for her. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">We might be surprised that Jesus' relatives come to get Him because the crowds have grown so large who come to see Him, or that the house was so crowded<i> that they could not so much as eat bread</i>. Even more surprising is to hear that they claim <i>He is out of His mind</i>. But it might not seem so strange to us in the context of Christ's time and place, rather than our own. We live in a time when all kinds of people seek to be famous for all kinds of reasons, and especially through the use of social media which is available to so many. But in Christ's time this was not so. Even renown itself was potentially scandalous. Moreover, Jesus has no high position sanctioned in the society. He is not a member of the Sanhedrin, nor a scribe, nor a priest or Pharisee. It is also a time of Roman rule of Israel, in which any sort of activity that gathers a large group is going to be suspect, especially because there are those who agitate for violent overthrow of Roman rule. Perhaps even more importantly, we've just been told (in <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sabbath-was-made-for-man-and-not.html" target="_blank">Saturday's reading</a>) that now the Pharisees have begun to plot against Him -- together with the Herodians (those who support Roman rule through the royal family of Herod) they now seek to destroy Him. So perhaps His family considers that they have many reasons to try to make excuses for His ministry, to cover His behavior, to seek to speak to Him privately away from the crowds who follow Him. After all, John's Gospel explicitly tells us that mid-point in His ministry, "even His brothers did not believe in Him" (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7%3A1-5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 7:1-5</a>). So we're left to ponder here what it is like for Christ in His ministry to have so much opposition -- even among His relatives who fear scandal and the possible threats from such negative attention. In this context comes also spiritual opposition for us to note in the demonic forces which Jesus casts out, for His spiritual authority and power even extends over them. It is in this context that we can view Christ's words about <i>blasphemy against the Holy Spirit</i>, because it is important to understand the nature of the world, and the opposition to God that has always been a part of the story of the people of God. The example of the prophets of old remains important to us, as it was important to Christ. In all four Gospels we read that Jesus teaches that a prophet has no honor in his own country (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A57%2CMark+6%3A4%2CLuke+4%3A24%3B+John+4%3A44&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:57,Mark 6:4,Luke 4:24; John 4:44</a>). St. Paul writes about the opposition the gospel faces in the world: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus teaches us that in the world, we will have tribulation, but He has overcome the world (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2016%3A33&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 16:33</a>). Let us note all the opposition to Christ, on so many levels -- spiritual, worldly, from the religious authorities, even among His own family members who do not believe. For we also, as He has promised, may expect tribulation and opposition to our faith in the world. But this is part of the journey and the lives of the saints who have followed throughout the history of the Church. Let us be those who follow in their footsteps, and seek His way -- His path -- for how we go through the world. In today's reading, Jesus asks the question, "How can Satan cast out Satan?" And the answer is, clearly, that he cannot. Only Christ can do this. Let us consider the reality of opposition of the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" and how this continues to be present in our world in its effects and various forms. Let us understand what the journey asks of us, for we all meet Him <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013%3A31-35&version=NKJV" target="_blank">in His glory</a> at the Cross and in His Resurrection.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-115069121708719082024-02-26T11:29:00.000-08:002024-02-26T16:11:02.165-08:00And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 3:7–19a </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">On Saturday we read that it happened that He went through
the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to
pluck the heads of the 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, "<a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-sabbath-was-made-for-man-and-not.html" target="_blank">The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath</a>." 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 that 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 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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">B<i>ut Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude
from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and
beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude,
when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told
His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of
the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that
as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.</i> At the end of our previous reading (see above), we learned that the Pharisees began to plot with the Herodians to destroy Jesus. So, in today's reading we understand that Jesus withdrew in response to this, and also so that He would preach in other places. Let us note that people now come to hear Him from all over Israel: not only do they follow Him from Galilee but also from <i>Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea</i>, <i>and beyond the Jordan</i> -- even those who come from the nominally Gentile region of <i>Tyre and Sidon</i>. Christ's great popularity is another factor in the threat to their leadership the Pharisees feel because of Him. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and
cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." But He sternly warned
them that they should not make Him known. The Gospels repeatedly let us know that there are not only the faithful who seek Him out, but also among the people are unclean spirits</i>. Let us note that these would seem to plague even those who seek out Jesus, just as there are other afflictions among them. But His authority over the unclean spirits is clear, and they recognize Him. But just as it is not yet time for His Passion, it is also not yet time to open reveal His identity as Messiah and Son of God.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself
wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they
might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have
power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave
the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James,
to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; Andrew,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed
Him.</i> As multitudes gather to Christ from all the regions of Israel, a new turning point occurs for Christ's ministry. It is time to appoint those who will become apostles, whom He will <i>send out to preach</i>. Let us note that the tax collector earlier identified as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A14&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Levi the son of Alphaeus</a> is now called Matthew. To go up on a mountain is an indication of the spiritually-led nature of this new change, and the communion with God that prompts this new revelation of holiness. The word for disciple means "learner," while apostle is from a Greek word that means "one sent out" as on a mission. My study Bible notes that they not only are disciples (<i>they might be with Him</i>) and to be sent out <i>to preach</i> as apostles, but also Christ gives them power to <i>heal sicknesses and cast out demons</i>. This power was given to them by Christ, while He healed and cast out demons by His own power. My study Bible also notes that the names of the Twelve are not the same in all lists, as many people had more than one name. Besides <i>Matthew</i>/Levi, <i>Bartholomew</i>, for example, is also known to us as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201%3A45&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Nathanael</a>.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">It's interesting to think back upon our lives and recognize the various turning points we believe we've experienced; that is, times when our lives have shifted or pivoted onto new paths and we've made new decisions for the directions we'll go. So it is with today's reading, where, going up on the mountain, Jesus institutes something new, a profound new development in His ministry. He chooses the Twelve for special missions, to be given power, and to be sent out to the world. They will learn from Him as disciples by living with Him and continuing as part of His ministry, and they will be sent out to preach, and heal sicknesses, and cast out demons as He does. This happens because He will share His own power with them to do so. Notably, Jesus went up on the mountain, and then called those whom He wanted to Himself. Since we know that Jesus frequently goes to a mountain to pray (for example, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206%3A46&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Mark 6:46</a>), and we also witness other events of a profoundly divine nature that take place on a mountain (like the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Transfiguration</a>), we may make note of the importance of this new change in His ministry. Moreover, these mountaintop events seem deeply to be connected with prayer to the Father, and thus we might assume the Father's direction coming to Him as He grows His ministry and decides future steps in its growth and evolution. Perhaps it is even in prayer with the Father that Jesus chooses which disciples He will call to Himself for this new mission of apostolic ministry. It seems significant that it is at this stage where His ministry has evolved to attract so many people from everywhere in Israel that it is now time to consider appointing apostles and training them for their future mission. But it shows us how God's blessings and plans evolve and grow, and the incredible notion that indeed, God shares power with human beings. This work of Christ's ministry will not remain solely in His hands, but He will use human beings for His work and ministry to be carried on and outward to the world, as it continues even today. We understand angels as beings that serve God in a ministering capacity, even going out with messages (the Greek word ἄγγελος/<i>angelos </i>means "messenger"). But now these are human beings who are chosen and prepared for such a mission, even to share in Christ's power for healing and casting out demons. And that is a tremendous new understanding of the evolution of God's power and the kingdom of God among us. We might even consider that in our own lives God tries to prepare us for a deeper spiritual sense of who we are and where we are going in life. Our journeys in life are meant to be accompanied and guided by prayer, as Christ sets the true example for us, as well as the apostles and those who would come afterward in the saints of the Church. For we, too, join that communion in faith and in prayer. So, therefore, we must accept that we also may be prepared and guided with challenges that teach us about being a part of God's kingdom, and how to bear it into the world. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-57300401336057049322024-02-24T12:21:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:34:16.431-08:00The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of the 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." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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 that 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 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. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 2:23-3:6 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that Jesus 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. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/but-new-wine-must-be-put-into-new.html" target="_blank">But new wine must be put into new wineskins</a>." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath;
and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of the grain.
And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful
on the Sabbath?" </i> The <i>Pharisees</i> claim that plucking the <i>heads of grain</i> to eat isn't <i>lawful</i>, because they consider it work and a violation of the <i>Sabbath-</i>rest. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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?" </i> Here Jesus gives a blameless violation of the law as an example of mercy for human need. <i>Abiathar </i>was <i>high priest </i>during the rule of David (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+23%3A6-11&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Samuel 23:6-11</a>). It was his father, Ahimelech, who provided <i>David </i>and his men with holy bread meant for priests only, for they were starving (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+21%3A1-6&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Samuel 21:1-6</a>). My study Bible comments that rules for religious practice are not bad in themselves, but when adherence to them triumphs over mercy and human need, such a practice leads people away from God and not toward God. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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." </i>My study Bible notes a similar saying in rabbinical literature: "The Sabbath has been given unto you; you have not been given unto the Sabbath." But here Jesus puts what He teaches into practice, and interprets the Law with authority. Only God could say He is Lord of the Sabbath. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> 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 that they might accuse Him.</i> My study Bible comments that, according to certain traditions that the scribes and Pharisees had built up around the Law, healing was considered work. So, therefore, it was not permissible <i>on the Sabbath</i>. It says they believed that they served God by zealously keeping these peripheral traditions, but their legalism made them insensitive to God's mercy<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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 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. </i>Jesus poses the question that puts all into focus. What is the purpose of the <i>Sabbath</i>? <i> To do good, or to do evil, to save life or to kill</i>? He doesn't deny Sabbath traditions, but it is more important to do good and save life if this is the choice offered, than to maintain a rigid performance of tradition. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then the Pharisees went out and
immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might
destroy Him. </i>My study Bible comments that in their anger and self-deception, the Pharisees believe that in order to serve God, they must collaborate with their enemies, the Herodians (those allied with the family of Herod, rulers for Rome) to murder Christ the Servant of God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53%3A11&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 53:11</a>).</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">In the theology of the Orthodox Church, there is a concept called "economia" (<i>oikonomia</i>). This word is linked to the English word economy, and both derive from the word in Scripture for "steward" (<span class="greek">οἰκονόμος/<i>economos</i>). In Greek, </span><i>oíkos </i>(pronounced "<i>ee'kos"</i>) means "house" and is at the root of all of these. If we understand this language, therefore, we know that a steward is a household manager, or rather the manager of an estate. In the language of the Church, economia means that things must be ruled with mercy and discernment. When we are taught that we must be good stewards of our world, of our Church, and of the things God has given us, this is what we must keep in mind. Rules may be good and helpful things, but they must be used with discernment and with mercy, for this is the higher law. And it is "economia" which Christ shows and teaches us when He feeds and heals those in special need when special cases arise. When Christ teaches that "the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath," He is giving us the vision truly of the Son of Man He is, who experienced all of life as a human being, although He is the Christ. His expression of what we call humane insight, and the discernment of compassion, is our primary example of what we need to follow and to emulate. Ultimately it is this priceless sense of "economia" that He gives us when He teaches us what it means that He is Lord, and that, "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-40949101124439868962024-02-23T12:34:00.000-08:002024-02-23T14:46:49.267-08:00But new wine must be put into new wineskins<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> 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." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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." <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 2:13–22 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/then-they-came-to-him-bringing.html" target="_blank">Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men</a>. 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 those 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!"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> 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." <i>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." </i> Let us take note here that as first priority, this passage begins with Jesus once again teaching, and this time to <i>all the multitude</i>, <i>by the sea</i>. <i>Levi the son of Alphaeus</i> is also known to us as St. Matthew. According to my study Bible, he's the only one of the Twelve who has a powerful position in society, as he is assigned by a Roman overlord to collect taxes from fellow Jews in a specific area. These men, backed by the Roman state, were free to collect extra revenues for their own profit. My study Bible says that their collaboration with the occupying Romans, their fraud, and their corruption caused other Jews to hate them and to consider them unclean. For Jesus to dine with tax collectors, and to accept one as a disciple ("<i>Follow Me</i>") is offensive to the <i>Pharisees</i>, even scandalous. But Christ's defense gives us the orientation of His ministry: "<i>Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who
are sick</i>."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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." </i>My study Bible explains that in Jewish practice, it was typical to fast twice a week (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 18:12</a>), on Monday and Thursday. Moreover there were regularly observed and also occasionally proclaimed public fasts (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+20%3A3%3B+Ezra+8%3A21%3B+Esther+4%3A16%3B+Joel+2%3A15&version=NKJV" target="_blank">2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21; Esther 4:16; Joel 2:15</a>), particularly on the Day of Atonement (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+16%3A31-34&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Leviticus 16:31-34</a>) and in times of mourning (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+7%3A5%3B+8%3A19&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Zechariah 7:5; 8:19</a>). By contrast, however, the day of the Messiah was seen as a wedding feast, a time of great joy and gladness. Here, Jesus is proclaiming that day, my study Bible says, and He declares Himself to be the Messiah/Bridegroom. For Christians, it adds, fasting (such as in traditional Lenten practice) is not gloomy but rather desirable, a "bright sadness." By fasting, we gain self-control and prepare ourselves for the Wedding Feast. My study Bible also explains that the <i>old garment</i> and <i>old wineskins</i> stand for the Old Covenant and the Law, which are viewed as imperfect and temporary. The <i>new wineskins</i> are the New Covenant and those in Christ. The <i>new wine,</i> it says, is the Holy Spirit dwelling within renewed people, who cannot be constrained by the old precepts of the Law. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">I was recently listening to a podcast (see <a href="https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/lordofspirits/the_season_of_virtue" target="_blank">here</a>) in which it was explained that we can read the Bible, and the various time periods given in the Old and New Testaments, as times of preparation. In this light, the New Covenant given by Christ isn't a simply replacement of the Old Covenant, but rather it is viewed as a renewal of the Covenant between God and God's people. Indeed, this perspective makes sense in light of the concept that Christ initiated a new time (referred to in its entirety as "end times" while we await His return), and that this new time began at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, there was also an Old Testament Pentecost, associated with the giving of the Law through Moses. This was called the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot. As St. Paul explains, in this perspective the time of the Law given through Moses is "renewed" in Christ by the coming of the Holy Spirit; as such this renewed time means that instead of the Law written on tablets, this new time is one of the Law written on the heart. See <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8%3A7-13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Hebrews 8:7-13</a>, in which St. Paul refers to the prophecy of Jeremiah (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+31%3A31-34&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>) as being fulfilled at this time. In this perspective stated by St. Paul, then, Jesus speaks of the <i>new wine</i> as that new thing which needs room in order to grow and to expand, the powerful force of transformation at work likened to something akin to the enzymatic action of fermentation. Hence, <i>new wineskins</i> are necessary. Jesus' metaphor of new wine teaches us about a new vintage which cannot be placed in the old container which held the old wine, for something new and dynamic is happening. Jesus the Physician has come to heal, and that means calling <i>not the righteous, but sinners, to repentance</i>. Something new and tremendous is happening, and something transformational and powerful, that works like the enzymes of the yeasts at work in wine, in a way that is hidden and unseen to us, but nevertheless producing dynamic results we can see in the necessary expansion of the new wineskins. So often we forget that our New Covenant is one meant to bring about transformational effects in us. These are the effects of the laws the Lord has put in our minds and written on our hearts so that we turn and are healed (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+6%3A10%3B+Matthew+13%3A15&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15</a>). If we think of the New Covenant as not one that is simply "new" but is in effect renewed, then it seems that we come closer to understanding the power of our faith and its working in Christ and through the Holy Spirit. For this dynamic action is not simply a one-time declaration or label we join with a single choice, but rather it institutes an ongoing process -- always renewing and at work within us. The Lord's work is always making all things new (the literal meaning of the Greek in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2021%3A5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Revelation 21:5</a>), and hence we are continually asked to renew ourselves and grow in these new wineskins of His covenant with us. Our growth is meant to be a continual expansion. Lent is a particular time to focus on this dynamic growth, making time and room to renew our life of prayer and our focus on covenant in the love of Christ.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-5139715873646406362024-02-22T11:15:00.000-08:002024-02-22T14:59:02.897-08:00Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><p> </p><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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 those 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!"</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 2:1–12 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Yesterday we read that as soon as Jesus and the disciples had come out of
the <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-they-were-astonished-at-his.html" target="_blank">synagogue</a>, 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. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/now-in-morning-having-risen-long-while.html" target="_blank">Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed</a>. 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." And He was preaching in their
synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. 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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <i>And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that
He was in the house. </i> <i>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.</i> My study Bible notes for us that Christ preached wherever there were people -- in the synagogue, on the mountain, on the plain, and here in a house. This vital part of His ministry He always made time for, and put first in His care of the people.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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." </i> My study Bible comments that this passage shows us that <i>faith</i> is an indispensable condition for salvation. It notes also that faith is collective as well as personal, for the faith of the paralytic's friends helped in his healing.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> 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?" </i> My study Bible notes that the scribes are correct, that <i>only God can forgive sins</i>. Unwittingly, they thus confirm the divinity of Christ.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned
thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about those
things in your hearts?" </i>In Scripture, my study Bible says, the<i> heart </i>usually refers to the center of consciousness, including the will and reason.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>"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!" </i> My study Bible explains that the point of Christ's challenge ("<i>Which is easier . . . ?</i>) is not that either one is <i>easier</i>, but rather that One who could say, "<i>Arise, take up your bed and walk</i>" is also capable of forgiving sins. Additionally, it's noted that there are three signs of Christ's divinity shown in today's passage. First He knows the secrets of hearts (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+16%3A7%3B+2+Chronicles+6%3A30&version=NKJV" target="_blank">1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Chronicles 6:30</a>). Second, Christ forgive sins, which indeed is a power which belongs to God alone. Finally, He heals by the power of His word (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:1</a>).</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Today's passage is read on the second Sunday of Lent in the Orthodox Church. As such, my study Bible explains that it has a three-fold symbolism which relates to our preparation for Easter, and so, pertinent at this time. First, we must come to Christ in faith, and let Him heal us of our spiritual paralysis. Sin is thought of as a kind of paralysis of the soul. That is, a place where we are "stuck," so to speak. Second, we should let nothing deter us from getting to Christ, for He alone can heal us in body and soul. Finally, we need to help one another to come to Christ. It's a powerful testimony to how we may find our way through the intervention of others, and especially by prayer. Recently I saw a video of a woman named Tammy Peterson, who is the wife of the famous psychologist Jordan Peterson. In it, she explained how prayer helped her through a diagnosis and treatment of a very rare and very deadly cancer. See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4uWemSfpwk" target="_blank">this video</a>. She was apparently greatly helped by a friend who prayed with her and brought a rosary to her, teaching her how to pray with it. Tammy, who was not particularly religious, has found for herself a great source of faith and strength in the rosary, and has become Roman Catholic as were her great-grandparents. I write this not to advocate for one particular Church or another, but to speak about the power of prayer, and how interconnected we are in prayer itself. For when we open up communion with Our Father, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit, then we open up a vast interconnected web of communion that intersects everything, including our relationships with our own loved ones and community and the people around us. There is no doubt that Tammy's "discovery" of prayer in her own life also affected the lives of her husband and family, for -- just like the paralytic in this crowded house in Capernaum that we read of today -- the interconnection of prayer as we root ourselves in communion with Christ also makes its connections, even though unseen by us, with all that is around us. Jesus teaches Nicodemus in John's Gospel, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). To be "born of the Spirit" can of course take many forms throughout our lives, and in constant fulfillment of our Baptism. But so goes also the work of prayer, borne in the Holy Spirit, and carried where it will, even unseen by us and unplanned by us! Let us think about the surprising power of prayer, for the Holy Spirit blows where it wishes, in ways we can't predict -- but we can nevertheless take confidence in prayer always working in us and among us in God's own way. For this is what Lent is for, to deepen our prayer and to seek God more deeply in our hearts.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-43393137984057974952024-02-21T15:52:00.000-08:002024-02-21T16:01:21.723-08:00Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> 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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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." And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 1:29–45 </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we read that, after John the Baptist 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. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-they-were-astonished-at-his.html" target="_blank">And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes</a>. 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.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> 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.</i> This passage reveals to us the family life of Saints Peter and Andrew, and shows that Peter was married. It follows upon the command of rebuke to the unclean spirit (see yesterday's reading, above), and reminds us that St. Luke tells us He rebuked her fever (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204%3A39&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Luke 4:39</a>). Simon's mother-in-law is then restored to her place of importance in the house, as she also may serve the Lord His ministry. It's important that we understand the word <i>served</i> here means to "minister" in Greek; in fact, it is literally the word from which we derive "deacon" (διακονέω/<i>diakoneo</i>). </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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.</i> Here is yet more demonstration of Christ's use of His authority. His healing power is linked to His authority over the demons and His capacity to disallow them to speak. Christ is the One who may reveal what is hidden, and choose to hide what must not yet be revealed before its proper time of preparation.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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." And He was preaching in their
synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.</i> My study Bible comments that St. Mark's is the only Gospel that gives us a full 24-hour day in the life of Jesus. It is a day built around prayer and ministry; Christ is the model for both, and He does not separate them. His priority is prayer to His Father; in other words, there is prayer before service. Although Jesus is God incarnate, He <i>prayed </i>continually, and frequently found a <i>solitary place</i> to be free from distraction, despite the multitude's need of Him. My study Bible adds that Christ's ministry comes forth from His communion with the Father and the holy Spirit, and flows to people in their needs. It says that His praying <i>in the morning</i> shows us that we need to put first priority on commitment to God, for only then we will be equipped to serve others.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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.</i> My study Bible says that Christ's dialogue with the leper reveals that Jesus heals from compassion; it is not from a sense of duty or a need to prove Himself, or to gather a following. Once again we observe elements of Christ's authority, which my study Bible calls comprehensive: we see it in teaching, over demons, and over sickness. Altogether, a powerful testimony to His divinity. And yet, this divine identity as Messiah must remain for now a secret. But in some sense, this is a secret that cannot be kept hidden.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">We may look at the final story in today's reading, the healing of the leper, and consider Jesus' repeated effort to keep His identity hidden. But Christ's public ministry coming into the world is akin to the coming of spring. The good news bursts open like flowers blooming from bulbs hidden underground until this moment. It's not the only time we read that Christ tried to keep hidden, and could not do so. In fact, in chapter 7, we will read that Jesus will journey to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon, seeking to escape the multitudes who pursue Him: "From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden" (Mark 7:24). It's as if the good news of Christ's gospel is so full with its own energy that it must burst forth and cannot be limited. Clearly Christ begins His public ministry with an understanding that He will need to reveal His identity as Messiah in a way that will not be confused with the popular expectations and demands for what is desired in such a figure. He neither desires to be made a king, or to lead a political movement, or simply to give a new philosophy to the world. Instead, the way in which Christ is revealing Himself shows us -- as my study Bible has pointed out so far in this Gospel -- just what His authority and power is all about. Moreover, Jesus is ultimately obedient to the Father's will in all of this unfolding and public ministry that begins with healing, preaching, the casting out of demons, and calling of disciples. Let us consider Christ's authority and power, and how it is rooted in love, for this is where our own highest loyalty must be, and what compels us forward toward Him. St. Paul speaks of the glory shining in Moses' face, and covered by a veil -- a veil that is lifted by Christ for all to see. He writes, "Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:16-18). This is the power and authority to which we are drawn, and through which we are compelled only by love to draw closer. Let us follow Christ's example, and start with prayer, for it is there where we begin seek the true image of glory.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-69049993463715288042024-02-20T17:53:00.000-08:002024-02-20T18:29:26.757-08:00And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> 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."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 1:14–28 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Yesterday we started reading the Gospel according to St. Mark: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: <span> </span>"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You." <span> </span>"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:<span> </span>'Prepare the way of the L<span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ORD</span></span>; 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. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-he-was-there-in-wilderness-forty.html" target="_blank">And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him</a>.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i> 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." </i>My study Bible tells us that Mark's written emphasis on <i>John</i> being <i>put in prison</i> before <i>Jesus </i>begins <i>preaching</i> reveals that a key purpose of the old covenant -- preparing the people for Christ -- had been completed (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+4%3A1-5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Galatians 4:1-5</a>). Once Christ came, then, the time of preparation was fulfilled. My study Bible also notes that to <i>repent</i> is to do a total "about-face." In Greek, "repentance" is μετανοια/<i>metanoia</i>, and it means literally to "change one's mind." To repent is a radical change of one's spirit, mind, thought, and heart -- a complete reorientation to a life centered in Christ. Therefore, it's something that can be ongoing throughout our lives.</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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. </i> John's Gospel makes it clear that these men had already heard the preaching of St. John the Baptist (and were earlier his followers) and had been prepared to accept Christ immediately (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A29-51&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:29-51</a>). Because of this they were prepared to accept Christ<i> immediately</i>. Although they were illiterate and unlearned in religion, my study Bible says, these "people of the land" whom Jesus calls will be revealed at Pentecost to be the wisest of all. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered
the synagogue and taught. </i> We see the word <i>immediately</i> occurring several times already in this first chapter of St. Mark's Gospel. My study Bible comments that it occurs almost forty times in this Gospel, nearly all of them before Christ's entrance into Jerusalem at Holy Week. This sense of urgency and purpose as Christ journeys toward Jerusalem in order to fulfill His mission of redeeming the world fills St. Mark's Gospel, helping to make it both the shortest and most direct of the Gospels. Here, Jesus begins teaching and healing on the Sabbaths, as St. Ambrose of Milan says, to show that "the new creation began where the old creation ceased."<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>And they were astonished at His teaching,
for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. </i> The prophets of old and the teachers of Christ's day taught in the third
person, either quoting from Scripture ("the Lord says") or the
commentary of a famous rabbi. But Christ teaches in the first person,
speaking of His own <i>authority</i>. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><i>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.</i> As if to confirm His teaching with authority, Christ heals a man and casts out an unclean spirit, who recognizes and obeys Christ's command to "<i>Be quiet, and come out of him!</i>" But even with evident authority, Christ wishes His identity as Messiah to remain unspoken until the proper time. My study Bible says this refusal to fully disclose His messianic identity is foreseen by Isaiah (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+42%3A1-4&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Isaiah 42:1-4</a>). It gives several reasons for this secrecy: first, the growing hostility of the religious leaders; second, the people's misunderstanding of the Messiah as an earthly, political leader; and finally, Christ's desire to evoke genuine faith not based only on marvelous signs. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">One thing we may notice already in St. Mark's Gospel is a line of delineation, a sort of separating out of one thing from another. Often, making something sacred is aligned with "setting apart." In Genesis we read that all was chaos until God began on the first day to separate one thing from another, such as the water from the land, and so to put things into order. In this sense of putting things in order out of chaos, we should remember that Christ is also called the Logos (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:1</a>), the Word. His authority isn't simply one of power and control, nor a kind of assigned role or elected office by popular acclaim. Christ's authority comes "of Himself," so to speak. His very power is the power to set in order, to give meaning, to put things right, to make sense of things so that life can thrive and blossom. One way things are set in order is that Christ is notably master of time. Things must happen at the right time, and in the right order. Moses and the Law came first, preparing the people for Christ. But now that John is imprisoned, it is time for His public ministry, and Jesus preaches, "<i>The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel</i>." The word<i> repent</i> (a command here, if we may so note) is itself one that delineates boundaries, sets down priorities, and reorients all toward this singular pole of the truth and the Source of good. The <i>gospel</i> or "good news" is the place all eyes should go, and all ears should hear. The difference between Christ and the unclean spirits makes the difference clear; even the unclean spirits recognize Jesus' authority as that of the<i> Holy One of God</i>, and fear the time has come for their destruction. Even in this spiritual sense of the unseen (according to human eyes), things are put in order, set apart, a line is drawn, and Christ's authority is exercised for a purpose, to heal so that creation may flourish and grow. Christ's authority is the center and the focus of this action of the good, that which sets apart, puts in reasonable order, gives clarity, and allows room for life to bloom -- and all of this is linked to truth, to our understanding of what is the truth. It is an illustration of Christ's statement about Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), for in Him, His authority, and the order He establishes, we see all of these set down and revealed to us. Ultimately, what Jesus' ministry has begun to do is to establish why we try to reach toward Him as our goal in our lives and in terms of our faith and even or communities. In other words, in our communion with Him, and a deepening reconciliation and union to Christ, we find the "good order" we need in our lives in order to have <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A10&version=NKJV" target="_blank">life abundantly</a>. Using His authority, Christ commands the disciples, "<i>Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men</i>." It is in that growing communion and reconciliation to Him that these disciples become the fishers of men that it is possible for them to be. Let us follow their example.<br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> <br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4418406460913225518.post-45846141802247068262024-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:002024-02-19T14:43:50.223-08:00And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him<div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>Who will prepare Your way before You."</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>'Prepare the way of the L<span style="font-size: x-small;">ORD</span>;</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span> </span>Make His paths straight.' "</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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. </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">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." </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. <br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;">- Mark 1:1–13 </div></blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div> </div><div>Over the final three readings of last week (the first week of Lent in Western churches, and also for the Armenian Apostolic Oriental Orthodox church), we were given Christ's High Priestly Prayer, which Jesus prayed at the Last Supper. See the first two parts of this prayer <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/glorify-your-son-that-your-son-also-may.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-for-their-sakes-i-sanctify-myself.html" target="_blank">here</a>. On Saturday, we read the final portion, in which Jesus prayed, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in
Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in
Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given
them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in
Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know
that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I
am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved
Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world
has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You
sent Me. <a href="https://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/2024/02/and-i-have-declared-to-them-your-name.html" target="_blank">And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them</a>."</div><div> </div><div><i> The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God</i>.<i> 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 L<span style="font-size: x-small;">ORD</span>; 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.</i> My study Bible explains that <i>gospel </i>(Greek εὐαγγέλιον/<i>evangelion</i>) literally means "good news" or "good tidings" (it was the common name for missives and announcements from the Roman Emperor). Here it doesn't refer to Mark's writings per se, but rather to the story of the life, death, and Resurrection of <i>Jesus Christ</i>, which is the good news of our salvation. Beginning here points to the opening evens of Christ's public ministry with which St. Mark opens His gospel; this is the preparation by Jesus' forerunner, St. John the Baptist, and Christ's encounter with him. John gives quotations which explain his own ministry and identity from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+3%3A1%2C+Isaiah+40%3A3&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3</a>. We are also to notice the widespread popularity of St. John the Baptist's ministry, as <i>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. </i>John the Baptist is considered to be the last and greatest prophet of the Old Testament period. My study Bible says that he fulfills prophecy and prepares the people of God for the coming of the Messiah. Part of this preparation is a baptism for remission (Greek ἄφεσις, "letting go") of sins. This is the same word Jesus gives us in the Lord's Prayer, when we pray that our sins are "let go" as we "let go" of the sins of others. In Christian baptism, we are not only forgiven our sins -- letting them go -- but God also brings us into union with Christ (see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Romans 6:5</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. </i> John's clothing and lifestyle bear resemblance to that of Elijah the prophet (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+1%3A8&version=NKJV" target="_blank">2 Kings 1:8</a>). Here, we can read it as a sign that he fulfills the prophecy of the return of Elijah (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+4%3A5-6%3B+Matthew+11%3A14%2C+17%3A12&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14, 17:12</a>). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>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." </i>My study Bible comments that to be baptized with the Holy Spirit means that only Christ, the Son of God, fully possesses and gives the Spirit. To receive the Spirit we must be baptized in Christ and adopted as children of God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A27%3B+Ephesians+1%3A5&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 1:5</a>). By this adoption, we become anointed ones, of whom God said, "Do not touch My anointed ones" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+105%3A15&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Psalm 105:15</a>). <br /></div><div> </div><div><i> 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." </i> My study Bible comments here that Christ's rising from the water (Jesus came <i>up from the water</i>) is suggestive of His Ascension; it is the same Greek verb used to refer to that event (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A13%3B+Acts+2%3A34%3B+Ephesians+4%3A8-10&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 3:13; Acts 2:34; Ephesians 4:8-10</a>). And as He came up from the water, it is maintained in the theology of the early Church, so the whole world is lifted up with Him. The Spirit descending upon Him is a foreshadowing of the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A1-4&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Acts 2:1-4</a>). Like a dove describes the descent of the Spirit (not a physical dove), but also as a special sign showing the presence of the Spirit. My study Bible adds that a dove symbolizes purity, peace, and wisdom. We note importantly that this is a Theophany; that is, an appearance or "showing forth" of God the Trinity. Jesus is declared the <i>beloved Son</i> in the<i> voice</i> of the Father, together with the presence of the <i>Spirit descending upon Him like a dove</i>. </div><div> </div><div><i>Immediately
the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the
wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts;
and the angels ministered to Him</i>. For more details of Christ's time in the <i>wilderness</i> and temptation for <i>forty days</i>, see <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-10%3B+Luke+4%3A1-13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-13</a>. </div><div> </div><div>My study Bible comments that, as the baptism of Jesus is the first revelation of His divinity, so this temptation is the beginning of His role as "Lamb of God" (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A29%2C+36&version=NKJV" target="_blank">John 1:29, 36</a>), the One who will suffer on our behalf, the beloved Son whose destiny is the Cross. Moreover, my study Bible adds, forty days echoes the forty years of the temptation of Israel in the Old Testament, and beyond that, the basis for our forty-day period of Lent into which we have recently entered. (For the Eastern Orthodox, Lent begins in approximately one month.) My study Bible also notes that Christ being with the wild beasts, and served by the angels suggests a relationship between Christ and Adam, Himself being the "New Adam." Even if we are subjected to evil, it says (such as the demons and possibly beasts) God doesn't desert us as we struggle toward God. In patristic understanding, meditative seclusion is considered to be conducive to freer commuion with God, and also effective preparation for great tasks ahead of us. Clearly, Jesus sets us this example. The temptation of Christ in the wilderness (see more details at <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-10%3B+Luke+4%3A1-13&version=NKJV" target="_blank">Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-13</a>) is the model for the period of Lent, traditionally observed through the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Let us remember that each of these practices can take on many forms. If we examine the details of Jesus' time in the wilderness, we'll see that there were specific temptations that He said "No" to, and this is what we remember in the traditional practices of Lent. It's a time to remember that we need to draw boundaries in life for our own good, and for the good of those around ourselves. Discernment is important, and being capable of saying No to temptation is also important. Without it, we sorely lack the discipline necessary in life for having a healthy outlook, and a way to function in the world that is at peace with our souls. Fasting is a way of building up the understanding of discipline, the capability of saying No to things that are harmful. We may fast from gossiping and backbiting, we may seek simply to be more aware of the times we lose our temper, or indulge in unhealthful envy, or other ways in which we break communion and harm ourselves, our relationship to the world around us, and our relationship to God. In an atmosphere where discipline may be looked at askance, seeming to repress or conceal, what is important is to understand the therapeutic value of finding ourselves set on a good path in life, where our relatedness to the world, to God, and even to all the parts of ourselves are able to thrive. A good garden needs tending, and so it is also with human beings, for this is how to care for ourselves and our world. Let us take seriously the discipline of fasting in its many potential forms, giving of ourselves charitably (also in myriad forms of kindness and care), and prayer -- itself a many-layered and subtle practice. These are the tools of Lent, of responding to an imperfect world in need of care. For in so doing, the angels will also minister to us.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470230019171564364noreply@blogger.com0