Some Interesting Notes

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The end of the Sunday gospel reading makes several references to Gehenna beginning in v.43. Gehenna is derived from the Hebrew ge-hinnom = “Valley of Hinnom”. In that place some of the less-than-holy kings of Judah engaged in forbidden religious practices, including human sacrifice by fire (2 Chron. 28:3; 33:6; Jer. 7:31; 32:35). Jeremiah spoke of its judgment and destruction (Jer. 7:32; 19:6). King Josiah put an end to these practices by destroying and defiling the high place of the valley of Hinnom (2 Kings 23:10). Probably because of these associations with fiery destruction and judgment, the word “Gehenna” came to be used metaphorically during the intertestamental period as a designation for hell or eternal damnation. Perhaps more than a place (the place of the dead is usually called “Hades” in the NT); it represents a state of judgment and punishment. Continue reading →

Causes of Sin

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In seminary exegesis courses one is taught to look for details that indicate a change of scene, location, or other markers to indicate the boundaries of a particular pericope (a technical word used in exegesis meaning “narrative” – and a word that auto-correction keeps wanting to change to “periscope,” which given my history serving on nuclear submarines is kinda’ interesting.). There are no such markers in the text. It is a safe bet to assume Jesus is still in Capernaum, surrounded by the Twelve, with a child in their midst (9:33-37). The expression “little ones” may well also include those given a cup of water because they bear the name of Jesus (v.41). Continue reading →

Qoheleth

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The first reading for today is from Ecclesiates (Qoheleth; the Hebrew title) is a book in the Old Testament classified as Wisdom literature. Wisdom literature in the Bible include the Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job and Sirach. Each offers a different view of “wisdom.” Such literature tends to be read in “bits and pieces” with a focus on particularly memorable verses. But all wisdom literature is more than a collection of verses. While wisdom literature is a collection, that collection is assembled in a way that offers a coherent message. Continue reading →

Outsiders

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the last few posts we have discussed some background to the reading, now we enter the reading itself.

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” 39 Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 

One should not miss the irony in this passage. The disciples were attempting to prevent another from doing what they had just failed to do: “I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” (9:18). Continue reading →

In My Name

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The expression “in my name” in the New Testament carries significant theological weight, often indicating the authority, power, or presence of Jesus in various contexts.

  • Prayer and Petition: Jesus instructs His disciples to pray “in my name,” signifying that their requests are made with His authority and in alignment with His will (e.g., John 14:13-14). Prayers made in Jesus’ name are understood to be powerful and effective because they invoke His authority and character.

Continue reading →

Speaking on behalf of God

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, One key phrase that has importance for this Sunday’s gospel is: “in my name.” It doesn’t take much to assert that “the Word of God came to me…” It was a problem in the Old Testament where several individuals claimed to be prophets or were regarded as prophets by others, but they were not truly commissioned by God. These false prophets often spoke messages that were contrary to God’s will or led people astray. Here are a few examples: Continue reading →

Sacrifice and Love

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When Jesus encountered the scribe who asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus answered to which the scribe’s response was: “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” I think most people gloss over the ending words. Continue reading →

Showing the Way Home

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In today’s gospel, Jesus talks about the light of our faith, to not keep it hidden. A lighted candle has its proper place – not under a basket, but in the lamp stand where it can provide light to the room, so too our faith has a place in the world, not hidden away, but on display for all to see.  The gospel continues: “For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.” Continue reading →

Least and Greatest in the Kingdom

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This coming Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, lectionary cycle B. As noted regarding the gospel last Sunday, the time of miracles, healings, and casting out demons seems to have passed. Moving forward, Mark’s gospel continues to primarily focus on the teaching and preparation of the disciples for the coming times when they will be without Jesus in his familiar presence. In our passage it seems clear that Jesus is pointing out some of the problems that the apostolic community will face – and many of them can be understood as problems of the human condition. The concerns of this passage are: (1) ambition among themselves (vv. 33–37); (2) envy and intolerance of others (vv. 38–41); and (3) scandalizing others (vv. 42–48). Continue reading →

Somewhere along the way

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Somewhere along the way of life, we adults lost a thing or two. Perhaps, it is part of maturation. But then again, maybe we simply lost something valuable. For the second time Jesus has announced to the disciples that he will suffer, die, and rise again after three days. What follows is either a remarkable calm, a stunned silence, an amazing lack of curiosity, a moment of “what did he just say” as a cover for lack of understanding, or maybe it is just fear.  I always wonder that if a child had been there, curiosity would have piqued their interest, especially that whole “rise again after three days.” I easily imagine a child saying, “You’re gonna’ rise from the dead? Cool! How’s that?” Continue reading →