I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent

 

 Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house.  But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her.  So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.  And immediately she arose and served them. 

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.  And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!"  And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.  

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.  And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."  And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

 

- Luke 4:38–44 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.  And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.  Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon.  And he cried out with a loud voice, 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 demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.  Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is!  For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."  And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region. 

 

  Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house.  But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her.  My study Bible comments that this passage and 1 Corinthians 9:5 (in which Peter is called Cephas) show us that Peter was married. 

 

 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.  And immediately she arose and served them.   In St. Matthew's version of this story, Jesus heals St. Peter's mother-in-law with a touch (Matthew 8:14-15).  But here in St. Luke's Gospel, the emphasis is on Jesus' rebuke of the fever (both things could no doubt be true).   My study Bible quotes from the commentary of St. Cyril of Alexandria:  "That which was rebuked was some living thing unable to withstand the influence of Him who rebuked it, for it is not reasonable to rebuke a thing without life and unconscious of the rebuke.  Nor is it astonishing for there to exist certain powers that inflict harm on the human body."

 

 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.  And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!"  And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.   Both this passage in Luke and the passage that follows the healing of St. Peter's mother-in-law in Matthew report this activity in that same evening.  That is, both report the casting out of demons connected to healing from disease (see also Matthew 8:16-17).  We can see how such activity is linked to the "rebuking" of a fever.

 

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.  And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."  And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.    My study Bible comments that Christ's primary mission was to preach the kingdom.  Miracles and healings, it says, testify both to the truth of the message and to the identity of the Teacher (see Luke 5:24).  This same pattern holds true in the Church (Acts 4:29-30).  

 

So far in Luke's Gospel, there has been established a pattern underlying Christ's mission and ministry that spells out a Kingdom come to be declared even in the midst of one under a "prince" making war against that Kingdom.  If we think about the Spirit immediately leading Christ to the desert to fast and be tempted by the devil, we see such a confrontation taking place.  This kind of battle isn't a kind of warfare we understand through worldly life.  Spiritual battle is essentially what Jesus did; it is to resist temptation and hold fast to faith in and obedience to God.   In today's reading, Christ's healing activities are connected to this world as battleground, where He has come to overthrow the "prince of this world" or "god of this age," the devil (John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4).  Each episode or interaction we've read about so far emphasizes this reality as underlying Christ's ministry, whether He is facing temptation, or preaching with His authority, or healing sickness, or casting out demons.  Even when the demons speak up, He silences them, another action of opposition to their "leader," and an act of authority belonging to His Kingdom.  In today's reading, He replies to the people's request that He stay with them by declaring this mission, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."   Here is here bringing the kingdom of God closer to people, Christ Incarnate.  He's bringing the Kingdom into the world, preaching its gospel.  People do not yet know nor understand the Incarnation, but the demons know who He is, and He is already challenging the gates of Hades by bringing His ministry into the world.  His very presence is like a battle cry; resisting the temptations of the devil the great weapon, healing diseases and casting out demons a declaration of a greater power here than the prince of this world (Luke 11:20-22).  When we pray to Christ, when we resist temptation, when we follow His commands, and live as He asks, then we also join in this battle, and find ourselves in the midst of a battleground that not everyone can see.  But He calls us to this place, and He asks us to join Him under the sign of His Cross.

 

 

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel

 

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

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

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

 

- Mark 1:14–28 

 

Yesterday, we started reading Mark's Gospel:  The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in the Prophets:  "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."  "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  'Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.'"  John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.   Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."  It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.  Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.  And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

 

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."  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we read of the great preparation for Christ, and John the Baptist's role in the salvation plan of God.  My study Bible comments here that Mark's written emphasis on John being put in prison before Jesus begins preaching reveals that a key purpose of the old covenant -- to prepare the people for Christ -- had been completed (Galatians 4:1-5).  After Christ came, the time of preparation was fulfilled.  To repent, my study Bible explains, is to do a total "about face."  As we discussed in yesterday's commentary, in Greek the word for repent (μετανοέω) means literally to "change one's mind."  My study Bible says describes repentance as a radical change of one's spirit, mind, thought, and heart -- a complete reorientation to a life centered in Christ.

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.  My study Bible reminds us that these first disciples had already heard the preaching of John the Baptist and were prepared to accept Christ immediately (see John 1:35-51).  Although 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.  Let us note that when Jesus says, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men," it is implied that for each of us, whatever place we begin with our faith, Christ will teach us a way to fulfill it with His purposes for us.  His words to the fishermen are divine poetry that teach us meaning and relevance for our own lives.

 

 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.  My study Bible remarks that the word immediately occurs almost forty times in Mark's Gospel -- and nearly all of them before the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem.  It notes that the urgency and purpose as Christ journeys toward Jerusalem to fulfill His mission of redeeming the world helps make Mark's account not only the shortest but also the most direct of the four Gospels.  Also noteworthy is Christ's beginning to preach and heal on the Sabbath.  In a commentary on the parallel passage in St. Luke's Gospel (Luke 4:31), St. Ambrose of Milan comments that this is to show that "the new creation began where the old creation ceased." 

And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.   Here is another significant detail about Christ's teaching:  He does so as one having authority.   My study Bible comments that unlike the prophets of old and the teachers of His day who taught in the third person ("The Lord says"), Christ teaches in the first person ("I say to you").  See also Matthew 5.

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit.  And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone!  What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Did You come to destroy us?  I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!"  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."  And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.  Mark's Gospel begins right from the start to give us elements of a spiritual battle that goes on unseen around us.  First we were told that the Holy Spirit "threw" Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, and to be with the wild beasts, and ministered to by angels (see yesterday's reading, above).   This introduced us immediately to these elements of an "unseen realm" within which Jesus plays a significant role, and which crucially affects us and our world.  Here the unclean spirit cries out, "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!"  Jesus is recognized, even if the people are not yet widely aware of Him at this beginning of His public ministry (and certainly they do not know His identity as the Christ).   Jesus' response to this recognition and identification by the unclean spirit is to give a rebuke:  "Be quiet, and come out of him!"  In yet another understanding of the fulfillment of prophecy (and the Prophet's role in preparation for the coming of Christ), my study Bible comments that our Lord's refusal to fully disclose His identity as Messiah is foreseen by Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-4).  It also lists various reasons for secrecy, which include:  first, the growing hostility of the Jewish leaders; second, the people's misunderstanding of the Messiah as an earthly, political leader; and finally, our Lord's desire to evoke genuine faith which is not based solely on marvelous signs.  

 

The question of Christ's authority will become central to the story of Jesus as we proceed forward and through His Passion and Resurrection.  We are told that He astonishes the people by teaching with authority, and not as the scribes.  If we really want to break this down, in purely worldly terms, Jesus does not even have the status of a scribe.  Indeed, He holds no position in the ranks of the religious authorities.  He is neither priest, nor scribe.  He does not belong to any of the ruling parties of the temple; He is neither Pharisee nor Sadducee, nor a member of the Levitical priesthood.  Although we are given genealogies establishing Christ's connections within Jewish spiritual history, none of this is apparently recognized during His lifetime.  Hence the great astonishment at His teaching with authority.  This will eventually gain Him more and more trouble with those who have authority within the religious establishment.  But for now, let us contemplate Christ, who seemingly bursts into public life with a kind of immediacy for the things which He will have to establish within a three-year span of His public ministry.  For centuries the prophets had prepared the world for the Christ, and His life has become for us the "center" of history.  Even Jesus will speak to the disciples of the things which must be accomplished in His ministry, when He says, "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end" (Luke 22:37).  Before that "end" there is the gospel to preach, there are disciples who will live with Him and train to be "like Him," there are things He must teach and preach and give to the world, and there are the encounters with the unseen world which will also tell us about Him and even about ourselves and our place in God's vision of salvation for which the Father has sent the Son.  This beginning of public ministry takes place in the appropriate time, the "time appointed by the father" (see Galatians 4:1-5).  That is, the appointed time in the purpose of God.  Jesus makes the announcement in today's reading:  "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel."  This particular Greek word for time (for there is another that is also translated as "time") is καιρὸς/kairos.   In Christian theological understanding, it has come to signify the opportune time for God to act, in the sense of a particular moment, or season, or period.  In our own lives, let us learn to recognize our own particular times when we must pay attention to God, to our faith, to our souls, so that we know what we are about, and to what we are immediately called. Jesus will tell His disciples, "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33).  Let us always do likewise, for we know that the kingdom of God is always at hand.

 

 

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel

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

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

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

- Mark 1:14-28

Yesterday we began reading Mark's Gospel.  That is, the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in the Prophets:  "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."  "The voice of one crying in the wilderness:  'Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.' "  John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.  Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.  And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.  I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."  It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.  Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.  And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

 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."  My study bible says that Mark's written emphasis on John being put in prison before Jesus begins preaching reveals that a key purpose of the old covenant -- preparation of the people for Christ -- had been completed (Galatians 4:1-5).  After Christ came, the time of preparation was fulfilled.  To repent is to do a total "about-face," it says.  The word in Greek means literally to "change one's mind."  It indicates a radical change of one's spirit, mind, thought, and heart -- according to my study bible, a complete reorientation to a life centered in Christ.  

 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.   Mark's Gospel is the first to be written, and also the most brief.  Here, we assume that Mark's early audience was familiar with the story of how these disciples came to be already familiar with Christ; they had been disciples first of John the Baptist who had proclaimed to them that Jesus was the Christ, the "Lamb of God."  In John 1:35-50, the unnamed disciple is considered to be John Zebedee, author of the Gospel of John.

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.  My study bible points out the the word immediately occurs nearly forty times in Mark's Gospel.  Almost all of these uses occur before the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem.   It says that the sense of urgency and purpose as Christ journeys toward Jerusalem to fulfill His mission of redeeming the world helps make Mark's account not only the shortest, but also the most direct of the four Gospels.

Just as Jesus' ministry began with the abrupt action of the Spirit, after His Baptism and revelation as Son in the Jordan, in which the Spirit "threw" (literally in the Greek) Jesus into the wilderness to prepare for His public ministry, so Jesus' ministry virtually explodes in "immediate" actions.  It is almost like watching a flower bloom in sped-up motion.  My study bible points out how frequently the word "immediately" is used in the full text.  In the Greek, the word for immediately indicates something that happens not only without delay, but without other unnecessary action, something that happens "straightaway," without detours on the way, a direct action.  There is no avoidance, no delay, no prevaricating.  These are strong, bold actions.  Let us note that all the things that contribute to this ministry happen thusly, as written here.  That includes not only Jesus' actions, such as calling the disciples, and going to preach in the synagogue on the Sabbath, but also the responses of the disciples who "immediately left their nets and followed Him."  These are decisive actions, signalling to us a sense in which once it is the right time for this ministry to begin, it happens with boldness.  There is no time to waste or to lose, no hesitation.  The entire ministry is one of seizing the right time, the right moment, acting on the true impulse which God the Father plants.  We get this sense about Jesus from all of the Gospels -- such as in John's Gospel, when Jesus states, "My hour has not yet come."  or "my time has not yet come" (John 2:4, 7:6-8), referring to the time of His Passion, death, and Resurrection.  The decision pattern of action at the right time is indicated when we read that Jesus "steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51).  We are reminded of Jesus' words upon receiving the disciples of the imprisoned John the Baptist in Matthew's Gospel, that "from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12).  All of these actions, these manifestations of the work of the Kingdom in the public ministry of Jesus, "break in" upon the world with direct force and bold action.  They indicate to us that there is a right and proper time, a fitting moment for the works of God to manifest, to be revealed.  The word for "time" in Greek is καιρος/kairos, and one might frequently hear this word used in English to indicate the pregnancy of an opportune time, a precise moment for the birth of something into our world.  Jesus' very first statement which begins His ministry indicates all of this sense of time, as He begins by saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel."  From there, immediately, disciples are chosen and respond, Jesus immediately begins preaching with authority in the synagogue, and also His authority over the unclean spirits is revealed.   At this time of the year, we also have a proper and fitting time for reflection and consideration of our faith.  Our own decisive action at this moment is to do something that seems quite the opposite of a direct action, and that is to take this forty day appropriate and opportune period as one for reflection and prayer, a time to remember God.  We do so also by practicing a regimen of fasting according to whatever tradition we hold, or a kind of rule set to the best of our ability.  This is not a contest to see how much we can pray or how well we stick to any rules.  It is an appropriate time, instead, for drawing closer to God.   It is this time in which we are meant to refine and to develop a better sense of dialogue with God, a way of "listening" to God, and most importantly to develop our own capacity for discernment in so doing.  Without proper discernment, we can never really know "what time it is" spiritually, so to speak.   Perhaps most decisively, Jesus expresses this sense when He tells the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is.  And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is.  Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?" (Luke 12:54-56).  There is a sort of play on language at work here, as the same word in Greek for "time" is also the word used for "weather."  It gives us a sense of time as not merely a mark of the hours, but also indicative of atmosphere, of a reality belonging to itself and proper to the time in which God acts in the world.  Let us concern ourselves at this "proper time" with learning to listen better in our prayer, even in a pregnant silence, to ask and to seek to know our own proper actions at whatever stage of life we are.  God calls us to pray, to listen in the silence ("Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10), to give of ourselves at the right time or opportunity, but always to be alert and awake as good servants following the commands with which we're left and awaiting our Master's return.  St. Peter also reminds us to be sober and vigilant to the things which seek to destroy or damage our communion with God (1 Peter 5:8).  Let us take the time to know our time as well, for the kingdom of God is at hand and awaiting our response to its presence.

When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd

 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. 

- Matthew 9:35-10:4

Yesterday we read that two blind men followed Jesus, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"  And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him.  And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"  They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."  And their eyes were opened.  And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it."  But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.  As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.  And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke.  And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"  But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of demons."

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  It's interesting to note Jesus' behavior, and the shape of His ministry.  He has just been accused by the Pharisees of exorcism (and subsequent healing) by the power of demons.  In this instance, rather than acknowledging or responding to their accusations, the text tells us that He simply went about to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease.  This is His response, to assert the reality of the presence of the Kingdom by manifesting its promises in Himself and His ministry.  He lives what He is here to do and to be:   teaching, preaching, and healing.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  My study bible notes here that Jesus does not condemn sinners.  Rather, He sees them as lost sheep who are to be found and brought home.  Compassion, it says, means "suffering with."  The illustration of sheep having no shepherd is drawn from the Old Testament (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:5).  This is an accusation against the religious leadership who are charged with the duty of shepherds, but have behaved like wolves.  When Jesus prays about the harvest, it suggests to us the clear abundance of people ready to accept the Kingdom.  He is both the Sower and the Lord of the harvest, my study bible tells us.  His own disciples are not sent to sow, but rather to reap what He, as Lord, had already sown by the prophets.  My study bible says that how many are sent to the harvest is less important than with what power they go into the harvest (see the verse that follows).

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.   Jesus responds to the needs He finds in ministry, and "sends out laborers into His harvest."  The words disciples and apostles are frequently used interchangeably for the twelve.  The word disciple means "learner."  An apostle is one who is "sent out."  Jesus shares His power with His laborers, investing it in them to carry out this work.  He gives them power, while the works done by Him were performed by His own power.  The names of the twelve vary in different lists, as many people had more than one name.  The names here in Matthew's Gospel are given in pairs, perhaps suggesting which individuals traveled with one another on this first missionary journey.  Mark reports that they were sent out two by two (Mark 6:7).

In yesterday's reading, we read that the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons (exorcism), and hence healing,  by the power of demons.  But here in today's reading, we see in response the continual expansion of Jesus' mission.  He teaches in the synagogues, preaches the gospel of the Kingdom, and heals sickness and disease.  He lives the work He is here to do, the ministry He is meant to live.  He is Messiah not by declaration or proclamation or the formal recognition, but rather simply by fulfilling the role that is His:  preaching, teaching, healing.  He proclaims the Kingdom in all of these ways.  But something even more astonishing is happening in the spread of this ministry.  He who heals and performs miraculous signs by His own power has chosen twelve with whom He will share and thus further distribute that power.  This is the harvest:  those who go out to find the sheep and bring them to their shepherd.  Let us note how this comes about:  Jesus is moved with compassion for the multitudes, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.  Modern human beings don't like to think of themselves as sheep, moreover as sheep having no shepherd.  We tend to be conditioned to think of ourselves as our own masters, autonomous, independently making our way and deciding what we believe and follow.  Jesus uses sheep as a metaphor to teach us that, in fact, we're not all-knowing.  When we make choices, we don't necessarily have all the information we need in order to know what a good choice is.  Adulthood, and much experience, should teach us that, if we are paying attention.  Responsibilities come with choices which we are often ill-prepared to make with full assurance.  We can't peer into the future.  What sounds like a fantastic idea easily turns out to be a foolish one.  Life is not simply a place where good planning fixes all ills.  Rather, it's a continual learning curve.   We hopefully learn from mistakes, but there is always something new to learn.  To consider oneself a rational sheep is to put into perspective the fact that we will always need a kind of guidance in life.  We are those who learn and absorb from what is around us -- but we need to find the soft place to fall, the true guidance that stands us in good stead, a kind of wisdom that can lead and teach and heal.  When we recognize who we are and what our needs are, then we can come to terms with our need for this Shepherd.  We are not absolute autonomous beings possessing infinite wisdom.  Rather, we are dependent upon so many things.  Our societies are not made of isolated individuals with no connection with one another; rather we depend upon relationships and we need to choose wisely how to navigate them, and how to choose whom we follow and with whom we partner and associate.  To consider oneself a rational sheep is to know that good leadership is essential for all of us, and that discernment rests upon good teaching in the first place.  In this sense, we turn to Christ.  He is wisdom; and as Lord, He has sent the prophets beforehand to teach.  As Lord, He establishes His Kingdom to show us the way, to offer us a place in which to dwell that paradoxically dwells within us and among us. This place, the Kingdom He proclaims, teaches us what love is and gives us love's guidance for a good life and true community when we live it.  If God is love, then this is the Shepherd we seek, who offers us love in action as leadership.  But first we need to understand what and who we are, so that we know what and Who we need.  When we find ourselves to be weary and scattered, let us consider the place to which we need to turn.

I am willing; be cleansed

 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  And she served them.  At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

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

- Mark 1:29-45

Yesterday we read that after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent, and believe in the gospel."  And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."  They immediately left their nets and followed Him.  When He had gone a little further from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.  And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.  Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.  And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit.  And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone!  What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Did you come to destroy us?  I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!"  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."  And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  And she served them.  At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.  Although Mark's Gospel is brief, and runs through the events of Jesus' ministry very quickly, here we are given a day in the life of this ministry.  Jesus first speaks in the synagogue, and then comes to His "headquarters" at Peter's family home.  The details we're given tell us about Peter's extended family, what kind of home this is in which He  stays and welcomes those coming to Him.  Peter's mother-in-law is a person honored here; she is restored to her place in the home by Christ.  My study bible notes that not allowing the demons to speak is an important piece of this ministry.  For Christ to reveal Himself as Messiah will be a long process of teaching just what this means, contrary to popular expectations of a political messiah.  Through misunderstandings, conflict with the authorities, and Christ's desire for true faith, His ministry will teach His identity.

 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.   My study bible says that Jesus sets forth here an example for all of us of spiritual life.  Although He is God incarnate, He prayed continually, often finding a solitary place to be free from distraction, despite the multitude's need of Him.  The ministry of Christ comes from His communication with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and it flows to people in their needs.  He prays in the morning, teaching us that we put first as priority our commitment to God; then we'll be equipped to serve others.  We note in His instructions to the disciples an unswerving course from what He is meant to do, regardless of demands around Him.

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.  Leviticus 13 and 14 contain the biblical law concerning leprosy;  Deuteronomy 24:8 describes the purification of lepers and leprous houses as a duty entrusted to the priests.  Lepers were not permitted to live in the community or worship in synagogues or the temple; they were considered unclean.  Leviticus 7:21 forbids touching the unclean.  Here Jesus touches the leper, showing His compassion.  My study bible says, "To the clean, nothing is unclean."  

Healing becomes an immediate sign of Jesus' ministry and work.  First He preaches, we see the effect of His presence on the unclean demons, and then He goes to Peter's house, where Peter's mother-in-law is sick with fever.  Healing becomes a metaphor for salvation, in the sense that what Christ is here to offer us is actually healing on all levels.  That is, spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally.  All of the orientation toward Christ and this Kingdom He brings in His presence is meant to evoke a radical healing on all levels and of all sorts.  That He will give His flesh for the life of the world is a promise of every level, and in all ways (John 6:51).   That this mission is for the life of the world we may also see in Jesus' use of the solitary place to which He withdraws for prayer, presumably far from the town.  Away from the town, this is likely the wilderness, an environment in which Jesus has already faced temptation, to which He now goes to be in depth of communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  (We may also contrast this with the evidence of the unclean spirit in yesterday's reading, which made itself known in the synagogue.)   There is no place exempt from the presence of Christ and this healing ministry, the work of God.  In the leper we can see a radical level of healing, for leprosy was viewed not simply as a dread disease, but also as a sign of sin, and of uncleanness in the eyes of the Law.  Christ's touch is a depth of personal "communion" that also teaches us about the healing nature of this presence and our own communion with it, a radical redesigning of the Law but with the ultimate purpose and goal of the Law in mind.  That is, a healing and orientation of the community toward God and thus its true good.  As in the context of the story of the leper, this would include cleansing us of whatever ails, oppresses, causes pain or loss, any kind of limitation of life.  That is the true nature of a process of repentance, metanoia.  Viewed in each dimension expressed in today's reading, the Gospel becomes a wholistic vision of the facets in which we all need to be healed, whatever the problem we face in the world.  What limits life?  What makes us unable to take our rightful places in life?  Peter's mother-in-law is restored in her home; the leper is restored in the community.  Alongside all of this is mystery.  Jesus' withdrawal away from the people for prayer is also an image of mystery, of the "withdrawing" of God.  It is a paradoxical understanding that it is with the mystery of God that we find God's presence -- that without that withdrawal, the clear understanding of the real nature of Messiah, and of salvation, could not become properly known.  In the life of the Church, mystery remains paramount for our own sense of communion, of prayer, and of participation in the life of the kingdom of God.  This is the scope of the healing nature of God, from the worldly and all that is in it, to the divine and its mysteries.  With Christ, we may share ("participate") in all of it, for the life in abundance that He promised.

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone

 Then He began to tell the people this parable:  "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.  Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard.  But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.  Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do?  I will send my beloved son.  Probably they will respect him when they see him.'  But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'  So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others."  And when they heard it they said, "Certainly not!"  Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written:

'The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone'?

Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."  And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people -- for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

- Luke 20:9-19

On Saturday, we read that as Jesus taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things?  Or who is he who gave You this authority?"  But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?'  But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."  So they answered that they did not know where it was from.  And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

 Then He began to tell the people this parable:  "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time.  Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard.  But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out.  Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do?  I will send my beloved son.  Probably they will respect him when they see him.'  But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.'  So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others."  And when they heard it they said, "Certainly not!"   About this parable -- told in the temple by Jesus after He has been confronted regarding His "authority" to cleanse the temple and to teach and preach -- my study bible says that the man represents God the Father, and the vineyard refers to God's people.  The vinedressers are the leaders of the Jews who are entrusted to care for the people (and we also recall this parable is told before the people as well).  Each servant who has been sent by the owner stands for an Old Testament prophet, who comes to call the people back to God, and the beloved son of course is Christ Himself.    My study bible tells us that when the Son is cast out of the vineyard to be killed, this is understood on two levels:  (1) that Jesus was killed outside of Jerusalem (Golgotha was outside of the city gates), and that Jesus was crucified by foreign soldiers (Romans), not by those of His own vineyard.  The others who later receive the Gentiles brought into the Church.  Whatever way we see this parable, the answer of the leadership (chief priests, scribes, and elders), "Certainly not!" confirms that they understood it this way.

Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written:  'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone'?  Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."  And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people -- for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.  Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22.   My study bible says that that stone is Christ.   It adds that St. John Chrysostom teaches that this saying illustrates two ways of destruction.  The people falling on the stone are those who suffer the effects of their own sins while yet in the life of this world; and those on whom the stone falls are unrepentant people who become powder in the final judgment. 

Whatever way we choose to look at this scene in today’s reading, there is one thing that is glaringly clear:  there will be ways in which we will be called to expand our outlook, on our lives and on ourselves.  Should we fail to do that, we risk losing even what we have (insert quote about those losing even what they have).  In this case, these leaders simply cannot accept Jesus.   They are enraged at Him.  They can’t get behind His message.  It’s too much outside of their own system – in which they’re highly rewarded – to embrace this Man as Messiah, to recognize His authority to do what He is doing in Jerusalem at the temple.  They lose too much, in their own eyes, to do that.  And yet, He’s got the people with Him.  They can’t do anything to Him in front of the people who love to hear Him preach and teach.  So, in a sense, they seethe with envy.  And this is what they feel.  He’s got something they don’t want to understand, that they deliberately turn a blind eye to – although they really should know better, after all, they are the experts in the Scriptures and the prophecies about Messiah – but they don’t go any further into this question of what exactly it is that Jesus possesses.  What is this authority? Is a question they don’t really want to answer for themselves.  But He’s got something they don’t have, He does things they can’t do, and for that they envy Him, even though He’s willing to share this Kingdom with anyone who really and truly wants in it.  And that’s the heart of the gospel.  What, after all, is Jesus doing here in this world, incarnate as human being, Son of God and Son of Man?  He’s here to show us the way out of the darkness of the world:  all of our own envy and that of others, the things that afflict us and the things that we do to ourselves.  He’s the Man who’s come here to show us how to negotiate through a world that is filled with darkness, and malice, and envy, and hardship, and hard-heartedness, and all of the things that He will suffer and endure – so that we grasp that this gospel is for all of us, everywhere, no matter what the situation we find ourselves in.  In this sense,  Jesus’ message is truly for everyone.  It doesn’t matter whether someone is a Pharisee or a poor fisherman.  It doesn’t matter if He’s there with the leaders, or with the people.  And none of the rest of the things that we think make a difference in life don’t make a single bit of difference when it comes to this gospel, because Jesus’ gospel message is for everyone, everywhere.  Everything we go through – even all of our suffering from the evil things in this world and its darkness – can be met with the gospel message.  Everything that life throws at us, all its curve balls and unpleasant surprises, becomes “places” in which He’s gone in order to make the gospel present to us, and to teach us how to walk through the good and the bad with the gospel, in the Kingdom.  That’s why Jesus can preach to these men giving them warnings about what is to come; He’s giving them the gospel message in order to save them, to give them their own chance for repentance.  It’s a stark message, but it’s the truth they need.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that they hear Him at all, certainly not with truly spiritually aware ears.  Whether He’s preaching to the people, or letting them overhear this very direct message of tremendous loss He’s giving to the leadership, it’s all there for each of us.  The gospel doesn’t stop no matter where we are or who we are, and that’s that great stone that is the chief cornerstone.  It’s what we remember all the time, in all times and all places, no matter what we are going through.  It always applies, and frankly, it’s our job to remember that, no matter where we are.    The stone is the one we stand on, the one we keep our faith in, through thick and thin, good times and bad, confrontation or times of mutual sharing.  It’s always there for all of us, and it always calls us to its profound message of truth.  In that stone is all of our reconciliation and our true peace.

Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch

 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land.  And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."  But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid.  From now on you will catch men."  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

- Luke 5:1-11

Yesterday we read that Jesus arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house.  But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her.  So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.  And immediately she arose and served them.  When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.  And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!"  And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.  Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.  And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent."  And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
 
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.  Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land.  And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.  An interesting scene:  Jesus is already well-known.  He's standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, which is otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee, a large lake about thirteen miles long and seven miles wide.  Sitting is the traditional posture for a teacher or rabbi, as we've noted recently when Jesus sat in the synagogue in Nazareth.  Yesterday, we read Jesus' statement that He must preach the kingdom of God in other cities; here we see He will fulfill that purpose wherever the place is available:  on a mountaintop, on a plain, in the wilderness, and here from a boat by the shore of the lake.

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."   My study bible tells us that St. Ambrose sees in this command the spiritual invitation to give one's life over to the deep mystery of the knowledge of the Son of God.

But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  We note Peter's immediate reaction to Jesus' command, and remember that he's already a disciple.  My study bible says here that the Lord draws people to Himself by things that are familiar to them.  "As He drew the Magi with a star (Matthew 2:2), as He would draw tax collectors by a tax collector (5:29), here He draws the fishermen with fish (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)."

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"    My study bible says that Peter's cry in the face of divine power is not a rejection of Jesus (contrast 8:37).  Instead,  it says, "being suddenly cast in the light of Christ, holy people such as Peter become keenly aware of their own unworthiness (compare Isaiah 6:5; Revelation 1:17)." 

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid.  From now on you will catch men."  So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.   This great catch of fish, my study bible says, is an image of the apostles bringing human beings to the knowledge of Christ.  It also fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah 16:16 ("'I will send for many fishermen,' says the Lord". . . ).  In the Eastern Church, the festal hymn of Pentecost declares to Christ, "Through the fishermen, You drew the world into Your net."

I find myself fascinated and pleased by my study bible's suggestion that "the Lord draws people to Himself by things that are familiar to them."  Yesterday, we wrote about "mission" and Jesus' commitment to the things He knows He was sent to do.  It isn't yet time in this ministry for Him to reveal Himself as Christ, but His purpose, His mission, is always at work and He's always fulfilling that mission.  The fact that the Lord draws people to Himself by things that are familiar to them means that for each one of us, there is also a particular way, something related to mission.  If all things lead to Christ, our Creator and the ultimate assigner of the meanings of all things, then whatever way is very "personal" is the way that we, too, will find "mission" in Christ.  It's a strange thing about faith, it will take us out of who we think we are and into the unknown, but will do so by virtue of the things we know and are familiar to us, the things that will draw us and pique our attention and interest.   Christ works with us where we are, and the beauty that draws us in the world, the things that command our attention, can lead us to Him if we accept His leading.    In a world that's filled with the Holy Spirit, we can find Him throughout many pathways, and He will come to us in all kinds of ways.  There's an ancient saying that goes back so far that even the ancient Greek philosophers didn't quite know who originated it.  It's been widely quoted throughout the centuries:  "God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference nowhere."  What that teaches us is kind of connection to mathematical theories of the spiritual, something also common to those ancients such as Pythagoras and Euclid, that all roads lead to a particular point; every parallel line meets at infinity (another attribute of God).  All this is to say that in our understanding of God we know that wherever we are right now, God is available to us and ready to lead us in the way we can be reached.  It's part of the grace of the Spirit, "who is everywhere present and fills all things," according to a prayer that prefaces every Eastern worship service.  Jesus is at the shore in today's reading, with the fishermen, sitting in a boat and teaching.   In His mission, He reaches everywhere, to each one of us, and He will not let us slip away.  But it's up to us to hear Him.  Once we start on that road, we have to be prepared to be led where we didn't expect to go, out into the deep -- perhaps the infinite mystery of the deep -- wherever He leads us, just as He will lead these fishermen. 

A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house

 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.  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 no mighty 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.  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.

- Mark 6:1-13

In yesterday's reading, we read that after having healed the Gadarene demoniac, Jesus and the disciples returned across the Sea of Galilee to Jewish territory.  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.  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, "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.

 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.  Jesus and His disciples have come to His hometown of Nazareth, where His family live.

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.   We've read consistently in recent readings in Mark's Gospel how Jesus is acclaimed and thronged by crowds elsewhere.  Here, Jesus teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath as has become His custom.  But this is His hometown, and it is filled with people who know Him as the carpenter's son.  My study bible says, "Jesus' teaching, wisdom, and miracles do not overcome the disbelief of those in His hometown.  The people see Him as one of them, the carpenter they know.  They are offended because they can do none of His works, and they are unwilling to accept a far greater role and dignity for Him.  In Scripture the words brothers and sisters can refer to stepbrothers and stepsisters, as well as other relatives (see, for example, Abraham and Lot; compare Gen.. 12:5 with 14:16).  There is no New Testament evidence that Mary had other children besides Jesus.  That Christ from the Cross committed His mother to the care of John suggests that (1) Joseph was by now deceased and (2) Jesus was Mary's only child."

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 no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He marveled because of their unbelief.    My study bible notes:  "Jealousy affects faith.  Every person could have been restored.  But in the absence of faith, Jesus does not release the divine power which is always His.

Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.  Whatever His setbacks, this ministry continues and expands.  Again, we return to the parables of the Kingdom which Jesus has taught in Mark's Gospel:  the Sower sowing seeds, and the tiny mustard seed that grows into an extraordinary plant.  Like the farmer who scatters seeds which grow into a harvest while he sleeps, Jesus does the work He is here to do, trusting in the Father for the proper growth of His ministry.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.  My study bible tells us, "This is the first time the twelve are sent out, as it were, on a training mission, preparing them for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.  They go two by two for mutual support."

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!"   My study bible explains that shake off the dust is a symbolic gesture of judgment. 

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.  A note here says:  "Preaching is an earnest proclamation, and this present proclamation of the need for repentance is momentous.  This is the first time the Twelve perform miracles.  God gives His power, His energy, to human beings and through human beings -- to and through those who repent.  He shares with us by grace what is His by nature.  The disciples anointed with oil as part of the act of healing, for by the Incarnation of Christ creation is renewed:  oil and water become instruments of renewal for the human race."

Jesus' recent teachings have given us many different levels and examples of faith.  In yesterday's reading, we observed how Jesus put out from the house those who ridiculed Him when He said the young girl was not dead.  He put away from Him those who made a calamitous noise in mourning and weeping, in order to heal the girl.  He brought with Him only the disciples of the inner circle, and the two parents of the girl.  What we observe is that to strengthen and shore up faith, Jesus is willing to separate Himself and others from those who do harm, somehow, to that faith.  In today's reading, we get a picture of others without faith in Him, and they're members of His hometown, people He knows and has most likely known all His life growing up in Nazareth.  But it's envy and jealousy that keep them from accepting Him.  Although the world elsewhere in Jewish territories of Galilee throngs to Him, and He's known as a healer, He can do nothing here because of their unbelief.  So we get once again a very strong picture about the nature of faith.  There are things that harm it.  Most prominently in the Gospels, it is envy that gets in the way of really seeing and perceiving.  When we care more about our position in light of another, we run the risk of spiritual blindness.  In the second half of our reading today, Jesus sends out the apostles on their first mission.  In yet another step in the remarkable growth of this Kingdom, Jesus' power is invested in them and shared in them with the world to which they go, two by two.  Their power works over unclean spirits, they heal and anoint others, they preach.  But again, there's a kind of separation from those incapable of receiving.  The symbolic gesture of judgment is just that, a symbol.  It's a way of walking away from that which cannot support the truth of the Kingdom.  Judgment belongs only to God, vengeance has no place here at all.  But they separate themselves from the place where the Kingdom cannot grow, where there is no faith to build upon.  Let's observe how even among His kin and neighbors, Jesus could do absolutely nothing of the works He's done elsewhere.  The faith He's talking about, the trust in Him, the perception of what He is and what He's offering, is something that cuts through all other relationships.  Every worldly institution comes second to the truth that's in the heart, that which we need to truly heal.  In yesterday's reading and commentary, we spoke of the need many people have to separate themselves from environments and people who cannot support their healing, their faith in what can be.  Christ gives us a picture here of just how deep the bonds of faith can go.  Family values are important, because they tell us about love.  Abuse, however, isn't love and it isn't a family value.  Let us remember, faith comes first.  We know love because we are loved.  Our healing depends on that truth.  When everything else fails you, it's there we rest and take our strength.  Love comes first, everything else second.  The apostles go preaching repentance.  Unloving relationships call for repentance, not a cover up.  It's in His truth we find our healing.

And they came to Him from every direction

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

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

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

- Mark 1:29-45

In Saturday's reading, we learned of the imprisonment of John the Baptist. Jesus then began His ministry, in Galilee. Several fishermen, kinsmen and friends to one another and to Jesus, were His first disciples. As He then preached in the synagogue in Capernaum, all were astounded at His learning and His authority. A man with an unclean spirit spoke out, "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!" Jesus commanded the spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man. His authority was witnessed, even over the demons, and His fame spread all over Galilee.

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Mark's Gospel moves very fast, teaching us the events of Jesus' life, and establishing for us the many characteristics of His ministry. We know already of His authority in speaking and teaching, and over demons. Here He rebukes a fever. To take her by the hand is a personal act, one of tenderness, kindness, service (He "lifted her up"). She is restored to her place and in turn rises and serves them. My study bible repeatedly points out that Jesus heals in many ways, often requiring the help of friends or loved ones. In each case, He does what it takes.

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. The messianic secret must be guarded. Throughout Mark's Gospel, we will find that this is so. Here is a Messiah with a special mission, not a political one, and He avoids misunderstanding and false expectations through His ministry. He is here to bring a spiritual kingdom into the world, not a political one.

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 have I come forth." And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. My study bible points out that Mark's is the only Gospel to give us a full day in the life of Jesus. As He began His ministry with prayer (the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness), so He starts very early in the morning in a solitary place for prayer. Everyone is searching for Him - He is in high demand. But instead of staying where He is known and His fame makes Him in demand, Jesus tells His disciples they must go to the next towns - to preach and to heal - because this is what He is here for. My study bible has a wonderful note: Jesus' day is one "built around prayer and ministry. Jesus is the model for both, and He does not separate them. Jesus' priority is prayer to His Father: prayer before service. He goes to a solitary place to be free from distraction, despite the multitudes' need of Him. His ministry comes out of His relationship with His Father, not foremost out of people's need. Here He moves along to the next towns. He knows His task, and performs it although the crowds clamor around Him."

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. In the healing of this leper, we find yet another kind of healing -- and an astounding one, given the times in which He lives. Leprosy was considered a particular affliction, the result of sin. It required separation from community. But in this instance, we are given a clear illumination of Jesus' compassion: "I am willing; be cleansed." My study bible points out that Jesus heals "not from duty or a need to prove Himself, or in order to gather a following," but from compassion.

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." This was necessary because a leper was required to receive a certificate from a priest in order to rejoin the community. Jesus fulfills the Law, and does not violate it. But there is more to this: He guards His messianic identity. Healing is all from compassion, and reveals the love that comes from the Father: His Father's business. This also is consistent with the need to guard the messianic secret - His is to be a ministry that reveals God's will for this spiritual kingdom, and not the people's popular expectations of such a figure.

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. Despite Himself, Jesus' fame spreads. And expectations will no doubt rise and create a clamor. As His ministry proceeds, He is faced with the fact that this world will offer Him its own kinds of challenges, despite His best to do as He must for His ministry.

I think it's important to remember, and to note that Jesus' ministry is always about conveying direction. He is always doing His Father's will, and He exemplifies the Father in Himself. This is why His healing miracles are called signs. They are signs of the Father's presence, they tell us something about God. Jesus acts from compassion and through prayer, direction from the Father. What the world does with His teachings is something else altogether -- the world will respond as it does, with all kinds of misunderstandings and perceptions, giving Him a kind of fame He doesn't seek for Himself. But despite that, Jesus proceeds in the same way, through direction from the Father, starting with prayer, and revealing as He can the Father in all dimensions in which He is meant to do, in all the things "for this purpose" for which He has "come forth." In Jesus' story, we are told something about ourselves and our world: that we can't always control the outcome. People will make of all things what they will, but we turn again and again to God in prayer, to teach us where we must go from here, and what purpose we had best serve. Let's remember that we can't always control what people will do with the gifts we may offer, through a life of prayer and service as best as we can discern. But we can always turn back to God. Jesus sets us the great example that we should seek to follow in our lives, and remember what purpose we're here for, and what it means to undertake and stay "on mission." We can refresh ourselves each day -- perhaps each morning - through prayer and seeking discernment for what we do. The rest is not necessarily up to us.