GOSPEL OF MARK
Mark is one of the three Synoptic Gospels. Matthew and Luke are the other two. They are called Synoptic because they mirror one another with similar narratives. The Gospel of Mark was probably the first Gospel to be written around AD 55-65. John Mark is the author of this Gospel. It is believed that he was the attendant and writer for the Apostle Peter.
An extremely important theme in Mark’s gospel is discipleship. Disciples in the ancient world would seek out a teacher or rabbi and “follow” or “come after” him. Discipleship involved not only learning from the teacher, but developing a personal relationship with him.
Mark records more miracles of Christ than any of the other Gospels. Jesus proves his divinity in Mark by the demonstration of miracles. An overriding theme of the Gospel of Mark is that Jesus came to serve. Jesus gave his life in service to mankind. And Jesus expects the same from His disciples.
SCRIPTURE
MARK 1:4-11
The Preaching of John the Baptist.
John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
REFLECTION
John was out in the desert, a voice crying in the wilderness, repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. While John’s baptism could not literally forgive sins it called attention to the need for repentance and change of life style. John foretold the one who would come after him, Jesus. “This one is mightier and will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
It is amazing to me that people came from all over to repent of their sins even into the wilderness. Way back when they recognized the burden their sins carried. Today sin is almost ignored entirely, placed aside, excused and not called sin at all.
Do we carry a heavy burden of sin? Are we reconciled with God and our neighbor? We don’t have to go into the wilderness to repent of our sins and have them forgiven. Our parish priest sits mostly alone in the confessional waiting to absolve us of our sins in the name of Jesus. “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” WOW! Sins forgiven, burden lifted, free at last!
Jesus asked John to baptize Him, what is that about? Jesus has no sins to be forgiven. Jesus, human and Divine, was setting an example for us. We are in need of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Jesus came to serve humanity and show us the Way. How is he rewarded by His Father?
The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins appears and a voice from the Father in heaven proclaims, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” It reminds me of a time in visiting Rome, I went to confession at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica and when leaving the confessional I heard the most beautiful singing and I looked around and there was no choir or anyone else singing….
SCRIPTURE
MARK 1:40-45
The Cleansing of a Leper
A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
“I do will it. Be made clean”
REFLECTION
A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
This leper shows both reverence and faith. Do we approach Jesus humbly, acknowledging He is God and anything is possible with God? Do we accept that it is up to God to grant our request, not my will, but His?
It took a lot of courage for that leper to approach Jesus. Lepers were outcasts, unclean, separated from society as a whole, even from worshiping God in the temple.
Jesus does not stop with appearances but sees a man who believes in God, is dependent on God, and not afraid to make requests of God, a loving Father. Do we sometimes fear God and thus separate ourselves even further away. Stupid, isn’t it! God is both the reason for our being and the one who perfects us to be the man or woman He has created that we may be reunited with Him in heaven forever and ever. Fear is the devil’s tool to separate us from our heavenly Father who loves us more than we can know but the crucifix gives us an idea.
Jesus replied to the leper, “I do will it. Be made clean.” Jesus has cleansed the leper physically and spiritually but then warns the leper not to tell anyone. What is that all about? Most of us boast of our talents or remarkable deeds. Of course Jesus has no reason to boast. He is God after all. Jesus’ public ministry has not been fulfilled yet. He doesn’t want to stir up his religious opponents too soon. His hour had not yet come.
Of course the leper was a blabber mouth and told everyone the marvelous deed that Jesus had done for him. Jesus remained outside the cities in deserted places but people came to him there. Makes me wonder why we don’t flock to our parish churches. Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. We don’t have travel into a wilderness to find Jesus. Think about it!
SCRIPTURE
MARK 2:1-12
The Healing of a Paralytic
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.* Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way?* He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?
Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Child, your sins are forgiven
REFLECTION
When Jesus returned to his home in Capernaum, the crowd was so great that no more could fit inside or even get close to Jesus. Some enterprising friends of a paralytic were undaunted though, and cut a hole in the roof of the house.
As far as I know Jesus lived with Peter in Capernaum. I have always wondered about Peter’s expression and reaction to this intrusion. But I guess Peter’s faith in Jesus extended to any set of circumstances
I marvel too at the faith and persistence of these friends that knew if they could get this paralytic to Jesus all would be well. Do we have that kind of faith and persistence? “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” John 16:24.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven” I find it interesting that Mark says when Jesus saw their faith. The paralytic may have requested to be brought to Jesus, or maybe his friends did it on their own. We don’t know. But the use of “their” reminds me how interconnected the Mystical Body of Christ and what we can do for one another.
“Who but God can forgive sins?” The scribes got that part right but then accused the Son of God, the Messiah, right in front of them of blaspheming! Do we ever miss God as badly as these scribes in daily encounters and experiences? Are we too quick to judge others? or write others off…through what lens do we see others?
SCRIPTURE
MARK 2:13-17
The Call of Levi (Matthew)
Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by,* he saw Levi, son of Alpheus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
While Jesus was at table in Levi’s (Matthew) house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?
Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician,* but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
“Follow me.”
REFLECTION
First let me settle some confusion that may arise. Is this tax collector Levi or Matthew? Matthew and Levi are the same person. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi was the Hebrew name. As a tax collector, Matthew worked for Greek-speaking Romans. He gathered taxes from Hebrew-speaking Jews.
I love this painting above by Caravaggio, so much in fact that I have it hanging in my office. Jesus has called me along with the rest of us to service and to spread the Good News. It reminds me each evening to check, have I been doing my discipleship this day.
It also reminds me of the Prophet Isaiah, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 Am I really ready to volunteer for anything God asks of me.???
“Many all called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 Many people hear the call of God through His revelation in creation, through the conscience, and the preaching of the Word. But only the “few” will respond. Jesus said many times, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” Matthew 11:15 The point is that everyone has ears, but only a few are listening and responding. The “many” hear, but there is no interest or there is outright antagonism toward God.
“Follow me!” And he got up and followed him. Now I like the touch in Caravaggio’s painting, where it looks like Matthew is saying who me or are you pointing to me, Lord, don’t you know who I am, a tax collector, a cheat, betrayer of my people. Jesus can use anything and anybody for the good.
“Those who are well do not need a physician,* but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” How lucky are we because we are all sinners. Jesus came for us that we may know the love and mercy of the Father. No one forces us to accept the love of the Father. But let us respond with a resounding YES!
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