This coming Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time in Lectionary Cycle B. The narrative moves quite quickly in the Gospel according to Mark. The narrative’s pace and immediacy is one of the most notable attributes of the writing sty;le Lest one think that Mark is simply concatenating stories without a larger vision in mind, it is always good to “step back” and see the larger framework in which the Gospel account exists. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.” What must they now think when they witness this new demonstration of authority in the word of command to the demon? His word was a simple command. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. That the demonic powers possess a certain knowledge of Jesus’ identity is clear from the cry of recognition, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” This statement of recognition, however, does not stand alone. It is part of a larger complex of material exhibiting a striking difference between the forms of address employed by the demoniacs and the titles used by ordinary sick individuals. The latter group appeals to Jesus as “Lord” (7:8), “Teacher” (9:17), “Son of David” (10:47–48) or “Master” (10:51). The demoniacs, however, address Jesus as “the Holy One of God” (1:24), “the Son of God” (3:11) or “the Son of the Most High God” (5:7), expressions which identify Jesus as the divine Son of God. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit (v. 23). Strangely the NAB does not translate euthys – the first word in the sentence. The word means “just then,” “suddenly” or “immediately.” In the NAB translation it seems as though the man was just there. But the Greek euthys implies a sudden entrance into the synagogue like bursting upon the scene. This follows immediately upon Jesus’ teaching with authority that amazes listeners. The “suddenly” that divine power (exousia) is confronted by the corrupting power of a person is possessed by an unclear spirit. Was he part of the crowd listening to Jesus’ teaching who suddenly stood up and cried out? Did he come in off of the street? In any case, suddenly, we have the “holy one of God” on the holy day (sabbath) in the holy place (synagogue) meeting an “unclean spirit.” It is a dramatic moment somewhat lost by not translating one word. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. William Lane offers an interesting distinction in the way to consider the idea of “authority.” Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mark concentrates upon a single Sabbath when Jesus’ synagogue teaching provoked a reaction from the people present. The two words that describe the people’s reactions are: ekplessomai (v. 22) and thambeo (v. 27) – “astounded” and “amazed.” The first term, more literally means “be besides oneself” – or in the slang, “to be blown away!” It comes from something that is so incomprehensible that one’s mind can’t fathom what has been experienced. These are not terms of faith. In Mark’s gospel we will come to learn that miracles never produce proper faith. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Lectionary Cycle B. The first major section of Mark’s Gospel extends from 1:14 to 3:6, and describes the initial phase of the Galilean ministry. Within this section the evangelist records the calling of the first disciples , Jesus’ ministry in and around Capernaum, and a series of controversies which are climaxed by the decision to seek Jesus’ death. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. 16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. As the first act of the Galilean mission Mark reports the calling of Simon and Andrew to be fishers of men. Jesus found these brothers working as fishermen on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, elsewhere designated the Lake of Gennesaret or the Sea of Tiberias. The inland sea, which was twelve miles in length and six miles across at its widest point, provided a point of access between Galilee and Perea. There were many towns and fishing villages especially on the western and northern shores. The waters teemed with life, and when Jesus summoned the brothers they were casting their nets into the sea. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Douglas John Hall (Bound and Free: A Theologian’s Journey) writes about the necessity of “our becoming and being a thinking faith.” I think it relates to these two commands to repent and believe.
There is a problem today that is found not only in Christianity but in most of the religions, as well as in many nonreligious ideologies. I will call this the problem of certitude. Its corrective is the importance of Christianity’s being a thinking faith – and, more specifically, the importance of doubt in the life of faith. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15) John Williamson, (Mark, p.43) offers this analogy which “may capture some (not all) dimensions of this summary of the preaching of Jesus.”
In a crowded airline terminal, hundreds of persons are scurrying in dozens of directions. Above the steady buzz of noise a voice booms through a loud-speaker, “Flight 362 is now arriving at gate we. Will passengers holding tickets for New York please check in at gate 23; you will be boarding soon.” Some people, of course, never hear the announcement and continue on their way. Others hear it but, having reservations on another flight, pay no attention. Some, however, who want to go to New York and who have been nervously awaiting such an announcement, look up expectantly, check their ticket for the flight number, gather their baggage, turn around and set out with some urgency for gate 23.
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