Jesus said, “How hard for those trusting riches to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10.24 In his lifetime, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, who possessed no belongings and owned no home. Jesus sent his disciples out in the same way—with no food, money, bags, or second tunic. Christians for whom Mark writes in A.D. […]
Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2012, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Some Pharisees ask Jesus if the Law allows for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus said, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female, and for this reason men and women leave their fathers and mothers and the two become one. They are no longer two but one. Let no
Gospel Reflection for October 7, 2012, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
John told Jesus about trying to stop a man, who was not a disciple, from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus responded, “Do not stop him. No one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for
Gospel Reflection for September 30, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus took a little child and stood the child among them. Jesus took the child in his arms and said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me, but the one who sent me.” Mark 9.36-37 In the ancient world children were invisible, non-people of
Gospel Reflection for September 23, 2012, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8.29 “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples in this Sunday’s gospel. The disciples are the people whom Mark most fully characterizes in his gospel. They follow Jesus without hesitating when he calls them from
Gospel Reflection for September 16, 2012, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
When the apostles returned from their first mission, Jesus tried to help them get to an isolated place so they could rest. They couldn’t escape the crowds. As he went ashore, Jesus saw a great crowd. He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many
Gospel Reflection for July 22, 2012, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus called the twelve, began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts. Mark 6.7-8 The simple but demanding ethical standards Jesus gives his disciples challenge them
Gospel Reflection for July 15th, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus came back to his hometown and began to teach. Jesus could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. He was amazed at their unbelief. Mark 6.5-6 Jesus’ preaching and healing arouse concern among members of his own family and criticism among
Gospel Reflection for July 8, 2012, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
The synagogue leader Jairus asked Jesus to heal his ailing daughter. On the way to the sick child, a hemorrhaging woman touched Jesus’ cloak. Her faith healed her. By the time Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, people were mourning because the girl was dead. Jesus took the girl by the hand and said to her,
A Gospel Reflection for July 1, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “With what can we compare the reign of God, or what image will help to present it? It is like a mustard seed, which when planted in the soil, is the smallest of all seeds on earth; yet once it is sown, springs up to become the largest of shrubs with branches big
Gospel Reflection for June 17, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »