Authority: response

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Friar Musings

Demonic Knowledge. 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 formula 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 appeal 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), formulations which identify Jesus as the divine Son of God. The contrast in address is an important characteristic distinguishing ordinary sickness from demonic possession, and reflects the superior knowledge of the demons. Some scholars make the distinction that the recognition-formula is not a confession, but a defensive attempt to gain control of Jesus in accordance with the common concept of that day, that the use of the precise name of an individual or spirit would secure mastery over him. Continue reading →

Authority: something new

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Friar Musings

The word kainos is not restricted as a reference something that did not exist before, e.g., the new teaching was something unheard of before. It can also refer to something that is “fresh”. Brian Stoffregen recounts this gem: “A Treasury of Jewish Folklore: Stories, Traditions, Legends, Humor, Wisdom and Folk Songs of the Jewish People, Edited by Nathan Ausubel, contains this wonderful story (51): Continue reading →

Authority: in teaching

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Friar Musings

Mark 1:21–34 appear to be intended by Mark to represent the activity of a single day, or of two days if judged by the Jewish perspective that a new day begins with sunset. Jesus’ sabbath activity includes teaching, exorcism and healing. In comprehensive fashion the acts of God are initiated by Jesus, restoring men to wholeness, but in a manner which occasions both excitement and alarm. The continuation of the four fishermen with Jesus is indicated by the plural form “they came to Capernaum.” This is confirmed by Mark 1:29 where Jesus and the four enter the house of Simon and Andrew; it is probable that Capernaum was the town in which all four fishermen lived. Continue reading →

Cutty Sark

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Friar Musings

Not one of my usual post, but then again I am always fascinated by words – for example, the expressions “cutty sark.” Many folks are familiar with that word because of the brand of whiskey. Others might know that the expression has an earlier origin – the whiskey’s name inspired by the legendary clipper ship “Cutty Sark”

But did you know, the name of the ship was inspired from an even older source? Continue reading →

Authority: context

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Friar Musings

²¹Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. ²²The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. ²³In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; ²⁴he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” ²⁵Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” ²⁶The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. ²⁷All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. Continue reading →

Fishers of men

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Friar Musings

Two weeks ago we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord, when our gospel has that great image of Jesus plunging into the waters of the Jordan, into the water of Baptism, plunging into the midst of our lives, all-in, showing us he belongs to us in his full humanity – and to show us a life with a higher purpose – fulfilling the deepest desire of God: that all might be saved. Continue reading →

Do You Belong? Are You Spiritually Committed?

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Friar Musings

This is the third of a six-part series on my musings about belonging and engagement as individuals and as a parish. Last week I wrote about the way we consider our parish to be thriving – after all, by any measure (Mass attendance, sacraments, ministry, offertory, etc.) we are indeed thriving. We are people who “believe in, sign up, show up, and chip in,” – and so our instinct is to say that believing, volunteering, attendance, and contributing are all things that lead to a sense of belonging and engagement in the faith community. As was noted last week, it turns out these are well-studied things and, in fact, it is belonging that leads to increased believing, volunteering, spiritual growth, and financial support. It raises the question: what are the indicators that individuals and the parish community have a sense of belonging? Continue reading →

Who are my mother and brothers?

Posted on January 24, 2015 by Friar Musings

The reading from today’s gospel (with a few extra verses) and St. Francis of Assisi’s answer to the question.

²⁰ Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. ²¹ When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” … ³¹ His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. ³² crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers* [and your sisters] are outside asking for you.” ³³But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and [my] brothers?” ³⁴And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ³⁵[For] whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3) Continue reading →

Come after me: follow

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Friar Musings

Fishers of Men. 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 →

Mwangi’s Light

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Friar Musings

For the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children – Jan 22, 2015

Written: October, 1997 – Nairobi, Kenya

Mwangi is a young man in the neighborhood. 20 some years of age in body yet in child or less in development. I have seen him sit for hours on the edge of the lane leading from the slum to the main road. Most people pay him no mind as he will write no great books, he will not lead a nation and may never do more than be this silent sentinel who watches the lane and all the wayfarers who pass along its way Continue reading →

friarmusings

the musings of a Franciscan friar…