Be Still and Know

The Sheep Will Be Scattered The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels.  To say Mark moves along quickly is an understatement.  Throughout Mark, Jesus teaches, both his disciples and the people of Israel, but for the most part he is quickly traveling from place to place, healing, exorcising demons, feeding the multitudes and even raising the dead.  To get a sense of the speed of Mark, let’s take a look at the word “immediately”.  This word is found only four times in the Old Testament.  In the Gospels alone, “immediately” is found fifty-eight times, forty-one of those instances in the Gospel of Mark.  The Gospel of Mark is the Gospel of action. This pace though is slowed down dramatically for the story of Jesus’ passion.  The Passion is in fact the climax of the Gospel.  A more slower, deliberate pace is necessary and most appropriate.   Lectionary readings are usually limited to a few sentences.  The Bible packs a lot into e...

Father Glorify Your Name I think it is safe to say that the four Gospels tells us the story of Jesus Christ. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the Bible realizes there are differences in the four books.  There is a reason behind this.  The four authors wrote their gospels with a particular perspective and to a particular audience.  Over the centuries much bigger minds than mine have poured over the words of the Gospels. Their findings and commentaries continue to guide us to this day. Not to make light of their work, but the Gospels can be summarized as follows; Matthew-Jesus is the Son of David, Mark-Jesus is the Son of Man, Luke-Jesus is the Son of Adam, and John-Jesus is the Son of God. At the very beginning of his Gospel, John tells us that the Word was God.  He was not saying that Jesus was identical with God, he is telling us though, that Jesus is so perfectly the same as God in mind, heart and in being that in him (Jesus) we see God. The Gospel of John i...

How Can This Be? In our reading today, we immediately realize that we have started listening to a conversation late. Our reading, John 3:14-21 tells us about a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. In fact they are half way through it.  Nicodemus is mentioned only in the Gospel of John.  Nicodemus ben Gurion was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. Acknowledging that God must have sent Jesus because of all the miraculous signs he has performed, Nicodemus seeks out Jesus for clarification or proof.  He wasn’t  seeking to entrap Jesus but he was genuinely wanting answers to his questions. Nicodemus in fact, is sympathetic to Jesus.  He reminds his Sanhedrin colleagues that the law requires that a person be heard before being judged, and helps Jospeh of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial. During their conversation, Nicodemus asks a question we still hear and ask ourselves today. “How can this be?” John is not so much the Gospel of John but r...

Where does God dwell? Presently we are in the midst of Lent. At the end of winter we set forty days aside as a time of reflection. Symbolically we give something up for this period.  This represents the main questions we should have in mind during Lent.  Is anything in my life taking me away from God?  Am I worshipping the idols of the world more than God?  We only need to look at the natural world around us to see a striking reflection of the Easter story.  The trees are bare, gardens are neglected even the birds are quiet. It almost seems life is absent.  In the Gospels we are at a time of crucifixion and death.  We are also at a time of Resurrection. A moment that would change all moments, past present and future. God is always with us.  No matter how we sin.  If we give up chocolate for Lent but succumb to the temptations, God will still be with us.  But are we with God? The Gospel reading today speaks specifically of that.  In ...