ABOUT TEACHING IN PARABLES – 21ST JULY - THURSDAY

Matthew 13:10-17 10 Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn-- and I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

1. The fact that the disciples received an interpretation of the parable explains their privileged position.

2. The truth about the kingdom of heaven is ‘secret’, and is perceived only by those to whom it is given. The experience of the others has already been predicted in Isaiah’s terrible prophecy about people who are unable to grasp the truth and to respond and find healing.

3. We should not think that the parables are given in order that some people may not understand which concludes that God has chosen some people to be enlightened and has deliberately left others in the dark. We should focus on the positive blessing of God’s gift of knowledge to a few who will proclaim it to the others.

4. Modern thought is likely to find the causes for people’s failure to absorb God’s word in psychology, environment, formative influences and the like but in the ancient world they were likely to be seen in more personal terms.

5. Where there are insiders and outsiders it is always possible for an outsider to become an insider. The object of Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of heaven was that people should repent and become insiders.

We are living in a noisy world where internal as well as external silence has become very rare. We are preoccupied with so many things that our hearts and minds are unsettled to concentrate on God’s word. We hear the word of God so many times, we come to meet Jesus in the Eucharist at least once a week, but have we managed to hear the word of God? Have we seen Christ or at least experienced Him once?

Reference

The Gospel of Matthew – R.T France

Matthew and the Margins – Warren Carter

WHO IS MY MOTHER? 19TH JULY - TUESDAY

Matthew 12:46 - 13:1   ⁴⁶ While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him.  ⁴⁷ Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."  ⁴⁸ But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"  ⁴⁹ And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!  ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." 

1.      This passage though begins with Jesus’ mother and brothers, is not really about them. Those who follow Jesus should commit themselves to do the will of the Father and therefore make their priorities clear. Those who denounce their earthly families for Christ’s sake are promised a hundred fold more brothers, sisters, parents and children.

2.      Jesus Challenges the conventional patriarchal household based on kinship and centered on the husband/father/master. He redefines the household as centered on Him and committed to God’s will.

3.      The new household is not based on birth, ethnicity, or gender; it is open to anyone who commits to Jesus and obeys his teaching of God’s will.

4.      The use of brothers and sisters, which specifically includes women, indicates that the term disciple must be understood expansively not exclusively.

5.      The inclusion of the word sister shows that there were women among Jesus’ disciples at this stage, even if not among the Twelve; they remain otherwise invisible in the narrative of Jesus’ ministry.

This is a good lesson for those of us who commit themselves for Christ and yet get attached to their own kith and kin to such an extent that we forget Christ and His mission. Let us pray to Christ that we may slowly shed our identity as individual belonging to a particular state, caste, culture and language and begin to put on Christ as our new identity.

ASKING FOR A SIGN – JULY 18TH - MONDAY

Matthew 12:38-42   ³⁸ Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."  ³⁹ But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.  ⁴⁰ For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.  ⁴¹ The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!  ⁴² The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

1.      Jesus’ response is not very accommodating. The only sigh he offers is cryptic and worst, is still set in the future so that it can be of no help to them now.

2.      Moses in the expectation that his God given authority would be challenged was given miracles to perform (Ex 4: 1-9, 29-31), Gideon requested and received a sign to confirm God’s promise (Judg 6: 36-40), Elijah called down fire from heaven (1 Kgs 18: 36-39); Ahaz and Hezehiah were offered signs to authenticate Isaiah’s prophecies (Is 7: 10-14). Jesus dismissed their request because of their attitude.

3.      Jesus knows that a spectacular sign will be given to the people in His Resurrection. But He is sure, attitude of these stubborn people are not going to be better even after His resurrection.

4.      The common motif that runs in Jesus and Jonah story is that both were miraculously released from death. In Jonah’s case it is virtual death whereas in Jesus case it actual death.

5.      Jesus gives the example of the Gentile woman Sheba who showed her receptivity to God’s purposes. She took a great effort to listen to Solomon. Here in front of the unbelievers there is a person who does not only teach wisdom but embodies it.

When people ask too many questions and proofs, it is a clear sign that they are not willing to accept the teaching. Jesus has been performing innumerable signs but still they want more. Faith is not the outcome of our experiments and verifications but an attitude of surrendering oneself to the Divine. Once our mind blocks the incoming grace of God through a technique called ‘Prejudice’ we will remain too far from redemption.

Reference

The Gospel of Matthew – R.T France

Matthew and the Margins – Warren Carter 

I, DESIRE MERCY NOT SACRIFICE – 14TH JULY – FRIDAY- Mt 12: 1-8

Matthew 12:7-8 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." 

1.      Sabbath –: the word means rest, cessation of labour. The seventh day of every week is celebrated as Sabbath (Saturday). It was the day Israel celebrated by resting and doing absolutely no work. It was based upon the seventh day when God rested following His six days of creation (Gen 2: 2-3). There was no Sabbath from creation until Moses. It was instituted under the leadership of Moses and thus it became a part of Israel’s law.

2.      The hungry traveler was entitled to do just what the disciples were doing, as long as only the hands were used to pluck the ears of corn, and not a sickle. Therefore it cannot be called as stealing. The Scribes and Pharisees accused the disciples not because they ate the grains but ate it on a Sabbath day.

3.      On a Sabbath day a person is forbidden to work. Under this category there are 39 basic actions which were not allowed on Sabbath. This includes reaping, winnowing, threshing and preparing a meal.

4.      By plucking the corn they were guilty of reaping, by rubbing it in their hands they were guilty of threshing; by separating the grain and the chaff they were guilty of preparing a meal on the Sabbath day.

5.      Human needs take precedence over religious tradition and ritual. David broke the law not to indulge a lust but to meet a genuine need. Human need and compassion should be given preference over religious ceremonies.

It is not uncommon to see some people who dump huge amount of money as sacrifice offered to God, but will be very reluctant to even give some coins to the poor beggars. It is possible for us to love God and fail to love our neighbours and the vice versa. True devotion should be manifested in our love for God coupled with our compassion to the needy.

Reference

William Barclay the New Daily Study Bible

The Preacher’s Outline and the Sermon Bible

COME TO ME – 14TH JULY - THURSDAY

Matthew 11:28 - 12:1   ²⁸ "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 

A man came upon a little boy carrying a still smaller boy, who was lame, upon his back. ‘That’s a heavy burden for you to carry,’ said the man. ‘That’s no a burden,’ came the answer. ‘That’s my little brother’ The burden which is given in love and carried in love is always light.

1.    Jesus’ invitation is to those who are exhausted with the search for the truth. The Greeks have said: ‘It is difficult to find God, and, when you have found him, it is impossible to tell anyone else about it. It is Jesus’ claim that the weary search for God ends in Jesus himself.

2.    To the Jews, religion was a thing of endless rules. People lived their lives in a forest of regulations which dictated every action. They must listen to the voice which says ‘You shall not’ forever.

3.      In Palestine, ox-yokes were made of wood. The ox was brought, and the measurement was taken carefully. The yoke was then roughed out and they brought back the ox and have the yoke tried on. The yoke was tailor-made to fit the ox. They did not want to hurt the neck of the patient animal.

4.      There was a legend that says Jesus made the best yokes in all Galilee. Being a carpenter by profession, Jesus surely would know about yokes.

5.      Every human being has his/her yoke, which he/she has to carry during the earthly journey. From birth he/she learns from others how to live and how to do his/her task. The only master who can teach and assure true rest (of body, mind and spirit) is Christ and the only yoke that really fits and proves to be easy is the yoke of Christ.

One of the reasons why Christianity remains unique is the challenges it poses. Jesus did not promise comfortable and cozy life. He was frank in stating the difficulties that would come along as we follow Him. The moment we experience His love, our yokes (sufferings, challenges, persecution etc) becomes light. It is not an easy job for the mother to carry the child for nine months. She does not act as if there are no inconveniences during her pregnancy period. But what makes her to carry the child is the love that she has for her child and the hope she places in the child.

Reference

The Preacher’s Outline and the Sermon Bible

William Barcaly the New Daily Study Bible

REVELATION TO THE LOWLY – JULY 13TH – WEDNESDAY

Matthew 11:25-27   ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;  ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

1.      Just as Israel was wrongly secure in its status before God, as against the Gentiles, so the wise and the powerful failed to recognize that God formed the children, and the meek.

2.      God favours the weak, not the arrogant. Before the Lord of heavens and earth, human wisdom and power is nothing, so no one can protest if it was the Father’s purpose to hide these things from wise (Eg Father revealing Jesus’ son ship to Peter Mt: 16: 17)

3.      Jesus stands in contrast to the so called wise and learned. Jesus alone is in a position to declare exactly what God is like. Unlike the other sages Jesus gets revelation directly from the father.

4.      Little children are exalted precisely because they do not rely on their own resources, are open to receive the revelation.

5.      Scholar Plummer has this to say, ‘The heart, not the head, is the home of the gospel.’ It is not the cleverness which shuts out, it is pride. It is not stupidity which admits, it is humility. People may be wise as Solomon; but if they have not the simplicity, the trust, the innocence of the childlike heart, they shut themselves out.

For past three months, I had the privilege of going for Easter blessings to different families. One thing that struck me very much invariably was the deep and profound faith of the simple people. They do not know much of theology or philosophy, but they experience God’s loving providence and care everyday in their life. Sometimes we rationalize our faith too much that we fall under the category of practical atheists and thus fail to identify the Lord in our day today activities.

Reference

The New International Commenatry of the New Testament – R.T. France

The Gospel of Matthew – A Socio –Rhetorical Commentary – Craig S. Kerner

HARDNESS OF HEART- JULY 12TH – TUESDAY (MT 11: 20-24)

Matthew 11:21  "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

1.      Chorazin – Bethsaida:  Jesus did many ‘miracles’ or works in these cities, yet there is no record of the miracles or works. We must always remember that what we have in the Bible is only a small number of miracles and mighty works that Christ did. As John says, if every one of Jesus’ activity was written down even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

2.      Chorazin was probably a town an hour’s journey north of Capernaum; Bethsaida was a fishing village on the west bank of Jordan, just as the river entered the northern end of the lake. Clearly the most tremendous things happened in these towns, and yet we have no account of them whatever.

3.      Jesus is not actually cursing the village but it is an expression of a sorrowful pity at the hardness of the heart of these people. These cities did not attack Jesus Christ; it was a sin of indifference.

4.      It was the sin of the people who forgot the responsibilities of privilege. To the cities of Galilee had been given a privilege which had never come to Tyre and Sidon or Sodom and Gomorrah, for the cities of Galilee had actually seen and heard Jesus.

5.      The greater the privileges have been, the greater is our condemnation if we fail to shoulder the responsibilities and accept the obligations which these privileges bring with them.

The last son in the family whom the mother loves so much, had become an addict to alcohol. The mother had shown him more affection and care than the rest of her children. She had high hopes and dreams for her son. But when the son grew up, due to his bad company, became an addict to drinks and brought shame to the whole family. I had a chat with the mother during a family visit. She was in tears, she occasionally reproached her son, but it was all expression of wounded love. Thought the son had abandoned her love, the mother still continues to love her son. Jesus is in a similar situation. Several times we behave like the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida; We have the greatest privilege of partaking in the Eucharist. If we do not realize the worth of it, we all can easily incur a curse. Let us be aware.

Reference

William Barclay’s Series

The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible

DENYING ONESELF – JULY 11TH MONDAY

Matthew 10:31 - 11:1 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.  ³² "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.  ³⁴ "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  ³⁵ For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;  ³⁶ and one's foes will be members of one's own household.  ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;  ³⁸ and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  ³⁹ Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.  ⁴⁰ "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous;  ⁴² and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."  Matthew 11:1 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

1.      Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones. Jesus is not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflicts at home, rather he was sharing that his presence demands a decision, because some will follow others will not.

2.      As we take up our cross and follow him, different values, morals, goods will set us apart from the goal. Do not neglect your family but remember that your commitment to God is even more important than they are. God should be our first priority.

3.      Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of a family is a law of God but even this love can be self-serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do his will.

4.      The more we love this life’s rewards (leisure, power, popularity, financial security) the more we will discover how empty they really are. The best way to enjoy life is to loosen our greedy grasp on earthly rewards so that we can be free to follow Christ.

5.      Gospel of peace first brings warfare into the soul. It cuts through old habits. It opposes daily sins. It sets up a new standard at variance with what was loved in the past.

As followers of Christ, if we get only praises and appreciations all the time, we should start analyzing our conduct to see whether we are really faithful to Christ. We could be sometimes making several compromises to have an ease and comfortable life. Jesus does not want followers who live on compromises but want disciples who live with convictions.

Reference

The Pulpit Commentary

Life Application Study Bible

Sunday, July 10, 2011 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mt 13: 1-23) The Parable of Sower

Four students are preparing for their annual exams.

Student 1 lets his friends talk him into partying and hanging out instead of studying. He fails

Student 2 doesn't understand the material but doesn't ask for help. He fails.

Student 3 is studying hard, but the dorm is noisy and he gets distracted by it and doesn't absorb as much as he needs. He fails.

Student 4 is organized and makes sure that he has a tutor, has a quiet place to study and only hangs 

out with other students who want to study. He goes on to graduate...

The Sower is God, Jesus Christ and for us it is usually the priest who preaches. The seed is the word of God; the different soils are the people who receive it.  Whenever the word of God is preached, 

there could be also the four categories of people.

1.      The seeds on the path: These are the people who do not want to hear the word at all. They are like the pots which are kept upside down and therefore nothing can go inside. These people think that they know everything. They can never listen to people and they keep talking all the time. They try to impose their ideas and think that the others are not capable of generating any good ideas. They can also be compared to the people who prefer to stand outside the Church even when there is place inside the Church (do not misunderstand me). The people, who just want to receive Holy Communion but are not interested in the Readings of the mass, can very well fit into this group. They are like people who go straight to the dinner hall for the meals without attending the wedding reception for which they are invited. When the seed is on the path, naturally it will be trampled by many. Devil finds easy to take this people with him.

2.      Seeds on the Rocky ground: These are the people who make hasty decisions. When they are happy they will reach the heavens and when they are sad they will be in hell. They react very fast to the situation. They are usually impulsive in nature. The moment they listen to a good sermon, they will decide to follow whatever the preacher had recommended. They will take several resolutions but that fervor will remain only till they reach home. Once they reach home, they will start living the same old life. They are generally good hearted people but their will power is quite weak. They will make too many promises but very seldom will keep up their word.

3.      Seeds amidst the thorny bush: Comparing the above two categories, this is better. They will readily listen to the word of God, will try to follow in their life but once they are in a conflicting situation they will lose their sight. I knew of a family where a young man was looking for a life partner. It so happened, there were two proposals at the same time. One was a beautiful poor Catholic girl and the other was a beautiful rich Hindu girl. Whom to choose now? It is true there is nothing wrong in marrying a person from other religion, but what should be the priority? Is it the Catholic girl or is it the rich girl? We face several similar situations in which we need to make a choice between God and the world. What do we choose? If we choose the world, wealth and power against the Christian values we become the thorny bushes where there will not be any yield again.

4.      Seeds in the good soil: These are the people who give God the first priority in their life. They are not only regular for Sunday mass (I mean full mass) but they also try to follow God’s word. They will surely yield hundred fold but sometimes the yield will not be realized very soon. They had to be patient. They normally do not question saying, what is the use of living such a good life, amidst the miseries and sufferings. In all the life situations they thank God. It is not easy to be good soil. We should be ready to be ploughed, fertilized, tilled but at the end, the yield will be more. These are the people who will inherit the kingdom of God.

5.      Responsibility of the Sower: Even when Jesus the best preacher preaches, we find these four categories. But the only consolation is that we have this fourth category which will yield thirty, sixty and hundred fold. But if the seeds fail to completely yield even in the good soil, the blame could be also on the preacher. It is also his responsibility to preach the word or sow the word in a convincing and interesting way.

SAVIOUR’S METHOD IN DEALING WITH INDIVIDUAL SOULS – HEALING THE BLIND- FEBRUARY 16TH WEDNESDAY (8: 22-26)

1. He isolates from the disturbing influences: The gossips and scheming politicians of Bethsaida, notoriety and the sense of importance. By his dealing with the sinner in conviction and repentance, he spiritually removes him to his own retirement. He is first brought to be with Christ, and then by and by he may be in Him.
2. By personal contact and operation and by kindly words, the inner free will and power of the patient were evoked. The gradual realization of spiritual power in these being saved is a crucial evidence of Divine grace, and encourages belief in the ultimate accomplishment of a complete salvation.
3. He enacts implicit obedience: This was the highest exercise of a spiritual kind he had demanded. Having won the trust and confidence of his people, he proves and perfects that by directing the fulfillment of duties, the reason for which may not be apparent.
4. We see that the man regained sight and reported that he saw human beings, but he does not see properly, an initial response to a curing activity also found in Hellenistic world. Then Jesus again lays his hands upon the man’s eyes. This action results in an intense gaze from the man.
5. Jesus orders him not to go back to the village from where he took him along. He does not want to create a false messianic expectation among the people. He is not a person who opts for cheap popularity.

We are living in an instant culture. We want to achieve everything in a short span of time. We have several instant cooking products being marketed. We want to achieve everything immediately without any effort. This mentality is okay to a certain extent when it concerns cooking and other material realities but we cannot have the same mentality in spiritual matters. We seek God’s grace and want it immediately. When there is a delay we lose our faith and begin to question God. Jesus is teaching a great lesson through this miracle. He does not heal the blind man immediately; he takes a bit of time. We need to be patient and need to persevere in our faith without becoming a prey to this instant culture.

Courtesy

The Pulpit Commentary

The Gospel of Mark – A Commentary

FEEDING THE MULTITUDE FOR THE SECOND TIME – FEBRUAY 12TH SATURDAY (Mk 8: 1-10)

Christ’s attractive ministry: A great multitude followed him to listen to his teaching and were so absorbed in his words that they neglected their bodily wants. Eating of the spiritual bread, they were satisfied in their souls, but they had bodily wants also.

Christ’s considerate compassion: Jesus himself was touched with a feeling of human infirmities. He had known hunger. People had come from far, and they had remained in neighbourhood for three days. All this little provisions were exhausted. Is He going to send them away fasting? He had compassion not only on their souls but also in their bodies.

Christ’s use of ordinary Human Resources: Jesus might doubtless have created bread of stones, as the tempter had once challenged him to do. But he chose to use what provisions were at hand. The Lord does not despise, dispense with, human means or human agencies. He asked his disciples to distribute the food.

Christ’s devoutness in thanksgiving: Being himself the son of the Father, he yet, in the name of the dependent children, acknowledged the bounty and beneficence of the giver of all.

Christ’s Frugality and Economy: The Lord was liberal but not lavish. There was no wastage in his arrangements. The broken pieces that remained were gathered and doubtless saved and used.

Every mother takes pride, pleasure and fulfillment in feeding her children. She knows, when her child would be hungry and she also knows what food to give. I have not come across a mother who denies food for her child, even if the child does behave badly. Even if she is dying of hunger, she would not desire to eat before feeding her children. Today we see, Jesus feeling the pinch of hunger, his people experienced. None of them asked for food but He knows that they are to be fed. He multiples the bread and feeds a mass gathering. As a human Jesus is also hungry but He would have eaten only after every one of his children ate to their fill. As we admire the maternal or motherly aspect of Jesus, shall we try to admire Godly aspects in our mothers?

Courtesy

The Pulpit Commentary

EATING WITH UNCLEAN HANDS – FEBRUARY 8TH – MONDAY (Mk 7: 1-13)

1. It is crucial to note that only some of the disciples were behaving in this fashion. If some were eating in a manner that could be judged as defiled, some were not. There is a division among the disciples.

2. Returning from the dirt, hustle and bustle of a first –century marketplace, one required purification, but there is no indication that a tradition of the elders was involved. Leviticus does not strictly speak on these laws.

3. We need to understand this term ‘tradition of the elders’. The Jews had 10 commandment and certain rules and regulations from Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible. In 5^th and 4^th century BC there came a group of people called Scribes who started exemplifying and multiplying the laws. These laws were not written but were vogue through oral tradition. These rules were come to be known as tradition of elders.

4. What is Corban? The word meant a gift. It was used to describe something which was specially dedicated to God. If someone wishes to dedicate some of his money or his property to God, he declared it Corban, and therefore it might never again be used for any ordinary or secular purpose. Many sons and daughters made use of this Corban to free them from the duty of taking care of their parents.

5. Jesus was attacking a system which totally failed to respect human dignity and human relationships. People in power managed to manipulate even the Ten Commandments and made it to serve their selfish motives.

One thing that struck me about today’s gospel is the knowledge Jesus possessed. He kept himself abreast with the Scripture and traditions. He knows the history of the evolution of Jewish faith. We cannot confront people if we do not have certain degree of intellectual ascendency. Jesus always won arguments and put his opponents in tight corners. As Christians we need to know what is happening around the world. We need to be well read and well informed about the key issues that affect our faith life as well as our life as citizens.

Courtesy

William Barclay The New Daily Study Bible

The Gospel of Mark a Commentary – Francis Moloney

GET SAVED – FEBRUARY 7TH –MONDAY (Mark 6:53-56)

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. ⁵⁴ When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, ⁵⁵ and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

1. This passage is the summary of the previous episodes. Jesus is recognized by the people and they run about the district, bringing sick people to him, wherever he might be.

2. This episode also brings the contrast between the people who recognize Jesus as the bearer of a unique power and authority and the disciples who cried out in fear due to their lack of faith. People believed firmly that even by touching the fringe of the garment they can be healed.

3. The first step to healing is recognizing Jesus. The people recognized Jesus. They recognized two things. A) They recognized that Jesus had come to their land and was now present at hand, available to make them and their loved ones whole. B) They recognized that Jesus cared for the sick and that he had the power to make them whole.

4. The second step to healing is acknowledging one’s need and believing Jesus can help. People came along with their families and friends. They even spread the word about Jesus to strangers. People were desperately searching for Him since they acknowledged His power and might.

5. The third step to healing is asking unashamedly and unreservedly for Jesus’ help. The people asked and begged Jesus to let them simply touch the ‘edge of His cloak’.

Today I had an opportunity to have a chat with two of my friends in their house, who are also readers of my Gospel Reflections Daily. We had a good discussion on Jesus and the Catholic faith. They were telling me that our God is someone really big and we do not really understand His true greatness. Christians are not basically suffering servants rather we are people born to win. Our God has always given us victory even from the time of Exodus. Somehow we have contained Him and are living with a pessimistic attitude. We need to have big faith, big hope and big trust that our Lord will never let us down and will always give us the victory come what may.

Courtesy

The Preacher’s Outline and the Sermon Bible

The Gospel of Mark A Commentary – Francis Moloney SDB

BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST – FEAST OF JOHN DE BRITTO – FEBRUARY 4TH –FRIDAY (Mk 6: 14-29)

1. John de Britto was one of the three notable missionaries of the Madurai mission in the last thirty years of the 17^th century. His martyrdom came about like this. He happened to baptize a sick nobleman of Marava, who had five wives. The man had to send away four of them. The youngest was the niece of the Raja of Marava. She appealed to him with tears. Britto was arrested and executed at Oriyur on 4 February 1693.

2. According to Josephus the renowned Historian, Herod killed the Baptist because he was afraid of a rebellion by the people. For Mark, John the Baptist is put to death by a ruler who recognized that he was a righteous and holy man but succumbed to public pressure.

3. John the Baptist would not give in weakly to pressure, even from one who recognized his virtues. He stood by His God-given task, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. John’s judgment of Herod’s marriage is a public call that sinfulness be recognized.

4. This is the only episode in the Gospel that does not have Jesus at its center, which points forward to Jesus’ death. There are so many similarities between Jesus and John the Baptist. Jesus does not give into public pressure, not even to save his life, but boldly announces the present and future coming of God as king which would flow from his self-gift unto death.

5. There are also differences between them. John the Baptist was killed, but was carried by this disciples and was buried. There is nothing spoken about his resurrection, whereas Jesus died, was abandoned by the disciples but was taken care by Arimathea who should have been his enemy. Jesus has been raised after his death.

I was personally struck by the similarities between John the Baptist (JB) and John de Britto (JB) starting from their very names. Both spoke the truth and wanted to correct the irregularities of marriage. John the Baptist condemned Herod for living with his brother’s wife and Britto ensured that the Christians follow monogamy. Both John the Baptist and John de Britto fought against immorality and both were beheaded by their respective rulers. Let us learn to speak the truth even at the cost of grave inconveniences.

Courtesy

Short History of Christianity in India by Joseph Thekkedath SDB

The Gospel of Mark, A Commentary