Is HE Not The Carpenter?

"Leaving that place, JESUS returned to HIS own country, and HIS disciples followed HIM.  When the Sabbath came, HE began teaching in the synagogue, and most of those who heard HIM were astonished.  They commented, 'How did this come to HIM?  What kind of wisdom has been given to HIM that HE also performs such miracles?  Who is HE but the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joset and Judas and Simon?  HIS sisters, too, are they not here among us?  So they took offense at HIM.

And JESUS said to them, 'Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives and in their own family.'  And HE could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people by laying HIS hands on them.'  JESUS HIMSELF was astounded of their unbelief." - Mark 6:1-6  

 

(The brothers and sisters of JESUS are HIS relatives and acquaintances of Nazareth.

How did this come to HIM?  Does this mean that JESUS traveled to other countries in order to get magic powers?

Because HE always lived among them and never did anything extraordinary, they were astonished that, in such a short time, HE became famous throughout Galilee.  In fact they do not know HIM: most of the time people mistakenly believe they know their neighbors.

Prophets are despised only in their own country.  After living with HIM so long and treating HIM like anyone else, how could they suddenly show respect and have faith in HIM?

Who is HE but the carpenter?  The term the Gospel uses is craftsman.  There is no further specification.  Yet the first Christians of Palestine asserted that JESUS was a carpenter.

What kind of wisdom has been given to HIM?  Many people say that because CHRIST was GOD, HE knew all things, but divine knowledge is nothing less than GOD HIMSELF.  HE knows all at once in an instant that never ends - this is eternity.  On the other hand, humans think in ideas, and do not embrace all at the same time.  That is why, from birth, JESUS had to learn from experience and discover.  Yet HE had a clear awareness that HE was the Son, although at the beginning HE did not have the words to think or express this.

JESUS received HIS human learning from Mary, Joseph, and HIS neighbors in Nazareth.  HE acquired HIS wisdom from the Bible and the culture of HIS people.  Yet the FATHER gave HIM HIS Spirit to judge as GOD does and to recognize GOD in all things.  For HIM [as for us now] what was important was not accumulating data and experiences but to be able to appreciate all that occurred.   JESUS inspired by the Spirit, felt all the realities of life in a different way: this was Wisdom.)      

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Loyalty In GOD's Service

                              "Listen, O YAHWEH, and answer me, for I am afflicted and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am GOD-fearing; save your servant who trusts in YOU.

Have mercy on me, O YAHWEH, for I cry to YOU all day.

Bring joy to the soul of YOUR servant; for YOU, O YAHWEH, I lift up my soul.

YOU are good and forgiving, O YAHWEH, caring for those who call on YOU.

Listen, O YAHWEH, to my prayer, hear the voice of my pleading."

- Psalm 86:1-6

(This is a gentle psalm, a little muted in tone, without cries for help or loud shouts of anguish.  The psalmist, here, is making a sincere and true appeal to GOD to answer his prayer.  There are always enemies about; but GOD is not asked to destroy them [a refreshing change!].  HE is asked only to 'turn and take pity' on the persecuted.  GOD could scarcely resist it.  The psalmist never stops asking, and he is rightly sure that such a GOD could never stop giving. 

Whenever we live moments of anguish, whatever their cause, it will be good for us to confide our burden on another, on GOD, whose presence in this psalm, is comforting.  JESUS tells us in Matthew 11:24: 'Whatever you ask for a prayer full of faith, you will receive.'  We have this assurance from JESUS HIMSELF.  So, full of faith, let us also pray to GOD, for whatever we need, assured that it will be answered.)

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The Gerasene Demoniac

"They arrived on the other side of the lake in the region of the Gerasenes.  No sooner did JESUS leave the boat than HE was met by a man with evil spirits who had come from the tombs.  He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him, even with a chain.  He had often been bound with fetters and chains, but he would pull the chains apart and smash the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him.  Night and day he stayed among the tombs on the hillsides and was continually screaming and beating himself with stones.

When he saw JESUS from afar, he ran and fell from his feet and cried with a loud voice, 'What do you want with me, JESUS, son of the Most High GOD?  For GOD's sake I beg you, do not torment me.'  He said this because JESUS had commanded, 'Come out of the man, evil spirit.'  And when JESUS asked him, 'What is your name? he replied, 'Legion is my name, for we are many.'  And all of them kept begging JESUS not to send them out of that region. 

Now, a great herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside, and the evil spirits begged him, 'Send us to the pigs and let us go into them.'  So, JESUS let them go.  The evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs, and immediately the herd rushed down the cliff and all were drowned in the lake.  The herdsmen fled and reported this in the town and in the countryside, so all the people came to see what had happened.

They came to JESUS and saw the man freed of the evil spirits sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the same man who had been possessed by the legion.  They were afraid.  And when those who had seen it told what had happened to the man and to the pigs, the people begged JESUS to leave their neighborhood.

When JESUS was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to stay with HIM.  JESUS would not let him and said, 'Go home to your people and tell them how much the LORD has done for you and how HE has had mercy on you.'  So he went throughout the country of Decapolis telling everyone how much JESUS had done for him.  And all the people were astonished. - Mark 5:1-20  

(JESUS overcame the raging sea and disembarking on the pagan shore of the lake HE confronts the demon.  The text says three times that the possessed lived among the tombs and mentions also three times the chains with which people had in vain tried to bind him.  For a Jew to repeat something three times is to use the superlative: it is to say that the possessed has partnership with death and with impurity to which it is attached; but no one, absolutely no one is able to master him.  Finally, the possessed, like the servants of idols slashed himself with stones till blood flowed.  This adversary, however, bows low recognizing the superiority of JESUS, Son of GOD the Most High, who forces him to reveal his name.  Here again the name is a symbol: legion that means that this man is possessed by a regiment of demons.  JESUS will free this possessed man: the demon, author of every "impurity" is sent to his own kingdom.  Pigs are in fact, in Jewish tradition, a type of impure animal, and the sea into which they cast themselves is the symbol of the empire of evil.

The herds rushed down.  The actual text of Mark says, "two thousand pigs rushed."  This is an incredible number, for such large herds of pigs were never seen.  In Hebrew, the word for herds is only distinguished from the word for 2,000 by an accent mark.  Probably a mistake was made when Mark's Gospel was written in Greek.

JESUS would not let him.  It is HE who chooses those who will be with HIM.  That does not mean that the others, all those who met JESUS and recognized HIM as Son of GOD, have nothing to do: they will witness in the midst of those they know how HE had compassion on them.  In this way JESUS reminds us of the diversity of vocations.)

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Call To Praise And Worship

 "Come, let us sing to YAHWEH,

let us make a joyful sound

to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before HIM giving thanks,

with music and songs of praise.

Come and worship; let us bow down,

kneel before YAHWEH, our Maker.

HE is our GOD, and we, HIS people;

the flock HE leads and pastures.

Would, that today, you heard HIS voice!

Do not be stubborn, as at Meribah,

in the desert, on that day at Massah,

when your ancestors challenged  ME,

and they put ME to the test."

- Psalm 95:1-2. 6-7. 7-9

(GOD claimed a double kingship over Israel.  She had been created and she had been chosen.  Here, she is invited to celebrate both creation and choice.  But she is warned, too.  The flock divinely led from Egypt had disputed with Moses and tested GOD's patience by its complaints.  We may still thwart the grace of our call--it does not inevitably blossom into the glory of final choice.  Our calling is much higher than Israel's.  From the people's point of view, our election, what we call perseverance, is more sublime.  Not Moses but JESUS, is our leader now, and the 'rest' HE would take us to is not Palestine but a land which the meek inherit, a rest which is the eternal Sabbath of GOD [Hebrews 4:10].  Pray to hear not 'Never shall they enter!' but 'Come, you blessed!')

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JESUS Calms The Storm

  "On that same day, when evening had come, JESUS said to them, 'Let's go across to the other side of the lake.'  So they left the crowd, and took HIM along in the boat HE had been sitting in, and other boats set out with HIM.  Then a storm gathered and it began to blow a gale.  The waves spilled over into the boat, so that it was soon filled with water.  JESUS was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.

They woke HIM up, and said, 'Master, don't YOU care if we drown?'  And rising up, JESUS rebuked the wind, and ordered the sea, 'Quiet now!  Be still!'  The wind dropped, and there was a great calm.  Then JESUS said to them, 'Why are you so frightened?  Do you still have no faith?'

But they were terrified, and they said to one another, 'Who can this be?  Even the wind and the sea obey HIM!'" - Mark 4:35-41 

(In Jewish mentality the sea is a daily reminder of primitive chaos, it is there the marine monsters move around, monsters which only GOD, for HE is the all-powerful, can challenge: Leviatan and Rahab.  In commanding the sea: Quiet now!  Be still!.  Just as HE does with the demons [Mark 1:25] JESUS affirms HIS divine power over the forces of evil.

Confronted with all the forms of evil that attack them, in the midst of tempests that arise, people, at times, wonder if GOD "does not sleep."  JESUS is there.  HE is not surprised by the disciples' fear of the tempest, but of their lack of faith; only trust in the victory of JESUS, Son of GOD, over the forces of evil, will allow them to overcome this fear.

At the very instant when they discover this divine power in JESUS, the apostles are terrified, as was Moses at the burning bush [Exodus 3:1], and Isaiah at the time of his vision in the temple [Isaiah 6:5], as all those to whom GOD shows HIMSELF in a special way: more than a friend, more than a master, JESUS revealed HIMSELF to them in the truth of HIS being.  This fear in discovering GOD so close to them was greater than the fear they had felt during the tempest a few moments earlier.)

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The Seed Growing By Itself

"JESUS also said, 'In the kingdom of GOD it is like this.  A man scatters seed upon the soil.  Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how.  The soil produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.  And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come.'" - Mark 4:26-29 

(In every period of time, people become impatient.  When will the kingdom of justice be realized?  Will violence and corruption soon come to an end?  JESUS answers: invisible forces are already at work; the world matures and the Kingdom grows on.)

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Proclaim The Good News To All Creation

"Then HE told them, 'Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.  The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned.  Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in MY Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages, they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed.  They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed." - Mark 16:15-18  

(Proclaim the good news to all creation.  The Good News is the seed that will be planted in the world and will flourish, in its proper time, in every field of human endeavor.  Salvation is not a matter of saving isolated souls or individual beings.  The Gospel is to be proclaimed to all creation in all activities and acts of those who have been renewed by baptism.  They are to be the yeast that transforms human history.)

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The Parable Of The Sower

"That same day, JESUS left the house and sat down by the lakeside.  Many people gathered around HIM.  So, HE got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and HE spoke to them in parables about many things.

JESUS said, 'The Sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep.  But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they withered, because they had no roots.  Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants.  Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty.  If you have ears, then hear!'" - Matthew 13:1-9 

(JESUS uses comparisons just as simple country folk and working people usually do.  Proverbs and parables have always been an effective way of teaching wisdom.  But we must observe that a parable is not just any comparison; its characteristic is to awaken in the listeners an awareness of their present situation and oblige them to make a decision.

For those listening to JESUS, the reign of GOD signified first of all a liberation of HIS oppressed people, and this called for clear explanation.  JESUS, for HIS part, could only give an answer to those who accompanied HIM; for the kingdom is one of those things that cannot be seen as long as one has no belief in it.  JESUS will only speak of it in images and we will understand according to the degree of our experience of that kingdom which is developing throughout the world.)

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JESUS' True Family

"Then HIS mother and HIS brothers came.  As they stood outside, they sent someone to call HIM.  The crowd sitting around JESUS told HIM, 'YOUR mother and YOUR brothers are outside asking for YOU.'  HE replied, 'Who are MY mother and MY brothers?'

And looking around at those who sat there, HE said, 'Here are MY mother and MY brothers.  Whoever does the will of GOD is brother and sister and mother to ME'." - Mark 3:31-35 

(JESUS lost HIS relatives but found HIS true brothers and sisters.  When we commit ourselves to GOD's work, we discover new brothers and sisters and a mother, Mary, of whom the Gospel says, "Happy are you for having believed that GOD's promises would be fulfilled."  JESUS does not say, "He is my father," for the FATHER is one and HE is in Heaven.)

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David Is Anointed King Over Israel

"All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your bone and flesh.  In the past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel.  And YAHWEH said to you, 'You shall be the shepherd of MY people Israel and you shall be commander over Israel.'  Before YAHWEH, king David made an agreement with the elders of Israel who came to him at Hebron, and they anointed him king of Israel.

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years: he reigned over Judah, from Hebron, seven and a half years; and over Israel and Judah, from Jerusalem, for thirty-three years.

The king and his men set out for Jerusalem to fight the Jebusites who lived there.  They said to David, 'If you try to break in here, the blind and the lame will drive you away,' which meant that David could not get in.  Yet David captured the fortress of Zion that became the 'city of David.'

That day David said, 'Whoever wants to defeat the Jebusites, let him reach these lame and blind, David's enemies, through the tunnel for fetching water.'  From this came the saying, 'The blind and the lame shall not enter the house.'  David lived in the fortress, calling it the city of David, and proceeded to build the city around it, from the Millo and inside as well.  And David grew more powerful, for YAHWEH, the GOD of Hosts, was with him." - 2 Samuel 5:1-10 

 

(This is a great day for David and for Israel.  Those from the north acknowledge him as king, and the unity of all Israel is achieved.  The tribes in the north were separated from those in the south by the district of Jerusalem, which was in the hands of the Canaanites.  David conquers Jerusalem which becomes the capital of this united kingdom.

It is a definitive stage.  GOD turns Jerusalem into the visible center of his presence among people.

Later, the one and only temple of GOD will be in Jerusalem, and the true kings of the people of GOD will be those who rule in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem will be the image of the Church and Christians will know that after the Jerusalem of Palestine, GOD has promised them another Jerusalem--that of heaven [see Revelation 20 and 21].

Jerusalem is the image of heaven and, at the same time, of the church on earth.  Often, in the Scriptures, Jerusalem is called Zion, since this was the name of the more ancient part of Jerusalem.  It was also called the "city of David."

In the Scriptures, the unity achieved between the northern and southern tribes is a visible sign that they are living in GOD's grace: all unfaithfulness toward GOD leads to a division among people, and all such division is a sign against GOD.)

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To Us A Child Is Born

"The people who walk in darkness

have seen a great light.

A light has dawned

on those who live in the land of the shadow of death.

YOU have enlarged the nation;

YOU have increased their joy.

They rejoice before YOU,

as people rejoice at harvest time

as they rejoice in dividing the spoil.

For the yoke of their burden,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressors,

YOU have broken it as on the day of Midian.

Every warrior's boot that tramped in war,

every cloak rolled in blood,

will be thrown out for burning,

will serve as fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us,

a son is given us;

the royal ornament is laid upon HIS shoulder,

and HIS name is proclaimed:

'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD,

Everlasting FATHER, Prince of Peace.'

To the increase of HIS powerful rule

in peace, there will be no end.

Vast will be HIS dominion,

HE will reign on David's throne

and over all his kingdom,

to establish and uphold it

with justice and righteousness

from this time onward and forever.

The zealous love of YAHWEH Sabaoth will do this."

- Isaiah 9:1-6

(The people who walk in darkness...  The Gospel [Matthew 4:16] sees in that people the crowds whom JESUS addresses:

- a people dominated by every kind of oppressors;

- a people seeking light and without hope.

A child is born: in growing up HE will lose nothing of HIS child-like qualities but will do away with the pride of nations.

Without doubt this child is the one named Emmanuel in 7:15. Here again, HIS name signifies what GOD will do through HIM.  Through HIM GOD will be revealed as "Wonderful Counselor" which means HE whose "counsel," whose plans are marvelously wise.  GOD "FATHER" as HE was for David, "Strong GOD" as HE was for Jacob.  The "Prince of Peace," HE is still GOD, but HE will be so in giving the victory to HIS king, HIS "messiah," as HE did for David.

As was already the case for Emmanuel, GOD-with-us, these appellations which seem at first said for GOD could be equally applied to the future king who will be "HIS" king, which usually expressed with the word Messiah.  In any case it prophetically announces what in fact would happen: GOD HIMSELF will come in the person of JESUS.)

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Plea For The Return Of GOD's Favor

 "Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, YOU, who lead Joseph like a flock; YOU, who sit enthroned between the cherubim.

Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.  Stir up YOUR might and come to save us.

Restore us, O GOD of hosts; make YOUR face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

O YAHWEH of hosts, how long will YOUR anger burn against the prayers of YOUR people?

YOU have fed them with the bread of woe, and have given them tears to drink in their sorrow.

YOU have made us the scorn of our neighbors and the laughingstock of our oppressors,.."

- Psalm 80:2-7

(Samaria was overrun in the year 721 B.C. and colonized with a mixed population of idolatrous immigrants: so many weeds in the garden of GOD.  What has HE done in HIS vineyard?  Understandably enough, there is no mention of the wild grapes this chosen vine had produced  

[Isaiah 5:1-7].  The psalmist dares to ask 'why'?  The prophet Amos could provide the answer: thirty years before this time, he had scourged the luxury and oppression of the ruling classes [Amos 6:4-7].  But we have to sympathize with the psalmist.  He has learnt the lesson that to brood over sins committed is a worthless exercise.)

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In Time Of Danger: A National Lament

  "My heart is steadfast, O GOD; my heart is steadfast.  I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul; awake, O harp and lyre!  I will wake the dawn.

I will give thanks to YOU, O YAHWEH, among the peoples; I will sing praise to YOU among the nations.

For YOUR love reaches to the heavens, and YOUR faithfulness, to the clouds.  Be exalted, O GOD, above the heavens!  Let YOUR glory be over all the earth!"

- Psalm 57:8-9. 10-12

(The vehemence of the psalmists is a constant surprise.  Heaven knows what some of them must have gone through.  Even their joy seems to shine through tears.  This individual lament, followed by thanksgiving, is similar in form and content to the preceding psalm and to many others.  Nevertheless, there is more triumphant joy in the conclusion.  The 'morning' in the psalm often stands for the dawning of new hope.  The psalmist is awake, shouting so loud, that the personified Dawn, that is relief, will have to come.

This psalm could be the prayer of the one who waits, with total trust, for calamities to end.  The glory of the Most High fills the earth.)

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Unshakable Confidence In GOD

 "O GOD, show YOUR mercy to me, my foes are in hot pursuit; they press their attack on me all the time.

My accusers pursue me all day long; many attack me.  But when I am afraid, O Mighty One, I put my trust in YOU;

YOU have a record of my laments; my tears are stored in YOUR wineskin.  Are they not written on YOUR scroll?

My enemies turn back when I call on you for help; now I know that GOD is for me.

In GOD, whose word I praise; in GOD I trust, without fear.  What can mortals do against me?

I am bound to YOU by vows, O GOD; I shall offer my thanksgiving."

Psalm 56:2-3. 9-10. 10-11. 12-13

('YOU have a record of my laments.'  The sentence is more graphic in Hebrew: 'My tears are stored in YOUR wineskin?' [verse 9].  This is what professional mourners did.  The tears were shed, as it were, by proxy, and left at the grave, as evidence of grief.  But here the tears are not professional, GOD knows it, and they are really worth keeping.  We can only know what GOD thinks of human suffering from HIS Son, GOD's Word to us.  When JESUS saw Martha weeping, HE started to cry HIMSELF [John 11:33-34.  But in the end, GOD 'will wipe all the tears away' and there will be no more crying [Revelation 21:4].

It is good to pray with this psalm, on the face of so much suffering and so many tears that don't find a human answer.

This is a prayer of the millions of oppressed who live, and no doubt will die crushed.  'YOU, LORD, have gathered our tears!')

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Human Advancement And The Sabbath

"Again, JESUS entered the synagogue.  A man who had a paralyzed hand was there and some people watched JESUS:  Would HE heal the man on the Sabbath? If HE did, they could accuse HIM.

JESUS said to the man with the paralyzed hand, 'Stand here in the center.'  Then HE asked them, 'What does the Law allow us to do on the Sabbath?  To do good or to do harm?  To save life or to kill?'  But they were silent.

Then JESUS looked around at them with anger and deep sadness because they had closed their minds.  And HE said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.'  He stretches it out and his hand was healed.  But as soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod's supporters, looking for a way to destroy JESUS." - Mark 3:1-6 

(Here, what Mark wants to emphasize is not the miracle JESUS performs, but HIS attitude vis-à-vis the Sabbath.  This miracle confirms what HE has just said in 2:28.

The Pharisees considered it lawful to work on the Sabbath if it was a question of saving someone in danger of death.  JESUS is about to enlarge this ruling:  for HIM, not to do good is to do evil, not to cure is to kill. 

Some ask if JESUS was interested in the material advancement [well-being] of people or only in their spiritual progress.  Actually, it is impossible to separate one from the other.

JESUS, apparently, did not speak of the economy nor the social order, but HE did denounce our prejudices that prevent us from giving the world a true and just order.

People, then, have the capacity and the means to better their condition, but they use them poorly because they remain prisoners of principles or institutions that are considered sacred, and in order to preserve them they allow half the world to die.)

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The Son Of Man Is Master Even Of The Sabbath

"One Sabbath HE was walking through grain fields.  As HIS disciples walk along with HIM, they began to pick the heads of grain and crush them in heir hands.  Then the Pharisees said to JESUS, 'Look!  They are doing what is forbidden on the Sabbath!'

And HE said to them, 'Have you never read what David did in his time of need, when he and his men were very hungry?  He went into the House of GOD, when Abiathar was High Priest, and ate; the bread of offering, which only the priests are allowed to eat, and he also gave some to the men who were with him.  Then JESUS said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.  So, the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.'" - Mark 2:23-28 

(It was normal that passersby, when hungry, would pick fruit or wheat.  The Pharisees were scandalized because JESUS' disciples did this on the Sabbath, a day when all work was prohibited.

The Sabbath was made for man.  No law, no matter how holy it is, should be applied in a way that would oppress a person.

The Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.  For the Jews, the observance of the Sabbath was the pillar of the Law established by GOD.  Who did JESUS think HE was?)

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New Wine, New Skins

"One day, when the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist were fasting, some people asked JESUS, 'Why is it, that both the Pharisees and the disciples of John fast, but YOURS do not?'  JESUS answered, 'How can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  But the day will come, when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

No one saws a piece of new cloth on an old coat, because the new patch will shrink and tear away from the old cloth, making a worse tear.  And no one puts new wine into old wine skins, for the wine would burst the skins, and then both the wine and the skins would be lost.  But new wine, new skins!'" - Mark 2:18-22  

(Many religious leaders sympathized with JESUS.  How they would have liked that HE rekindles the faith of the nation!  JESUS HIMSELF did not feel that HIS primary task was to reorganize worship and bring people to the synagogues.

The Pharisees were fasting.  Fasting a sign of repentance, supported their prayers that GOD come and liberate HIS people.  GOD comes in the person of JESUS: joy and celebration are more appropriate than fasting.  The prophets had announced the wedding feast of GOD with HIS people when HE would come to visit us [Isaiah 62:4-5].  Because of this, in presenting HIMSELF as the bridegroom, JESUS identifies who HE really is.

What is the new wine?  It is of course the Gospel, and the enthusiasm because of the Holy Spirit that leads the disciples to every kind of madness to manifest the love of the FATHER and the freedom that they have acquired.  In order to understand this, let us read the Acts of the Apostles and the lives of the saints, who have marked Church history.

Old skins.  The Gospel does not fit into the molds of religion and likewise does not enter into those persons who hold onto them at all costs.  Mark wants us to catch the Gospel's novelty.  We have just seen JESUS welcoming sinners, now we wonder that HE doesn't come like religious groups with prayers and fasting.)

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GOD Calls Samuel

"The boy Samuel ministered to YAHWEH under Eli's care in a time in which the word of YAHWEH was rarely heard; visions were not seen.

One night Eli was lying down in his room, half blind as he was.  The lamp of GOD was still lighted, and Samuel also lay in the house of YAHWEH near the ark of GOD.  Then YAHWEH called, 'Samuel!  Samuel!'  Samuel answered, 'I am here!'  and ran to Eli saying, 'I am here, did you not call me?'  But Eli said, 'I did not call, go back to sleep.'  So, he went and lay down. 

Then YAHWEH called again, 'Samuel! and Samuel stood up and went to Eli saying, 'You called me; I am here.'  But Eli answered, 'I did not call you, my son.  Go back to sleep.'

Samuel did not yet know YAHWEH and the word of YAHWEH had not yet been revealed to him.  But YAHWEH called Samuel for the third time and, as he went again to Eli saying, 'I am here for you have called me,' Eli realized that it was YAHWEH calling the boy.  So he said to Samuel, 'Go, lie down, and if HE calls you again, answer:  'Speak, YAHWEH, your servant listens.'

Then YAHWEH came and stood there calling as HE did before, 'Samuel!'  'Samuel!'  And Samuel answered, 'Speak, for your servant listens.'  Then YAHWEH spoke to Samuel, 'Look, I am about to do something in Israel which will scare everyone who hears about it.  On that day I will carry out what I told Eli regarding his family.  All will be fulfilled from beginning to end.  For I told him that I was about to sentence his family forever.  He himself knew that his sons were blaspheming GOD, but he did not stop them.  This is why I have cursed the family of Eli.  Their sin shall never be atoned for by sacrifice or by any offering.'

Samuel lay down until morning and rose up early.  Then he opened the doors of YAHWEH's house.  Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli, but Eli called him and said, 'Samuel, my son.'  Samuel answered, 'I am here.'  Eli asked, 'What did YAHWEH tell you?  Do not hide it from me.  Fear the punishment of GOD if you hide from me even one thing, HE told you.'  So, Samuel told him everything to the end and Eli said, 'HE is YAHWEH.  Let HIM do what seems good to HIM.'

Samuel grew; YAHWEH was with him and made all HIS words become true.  All Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, knew that Samuel was really YAHWEH's prophet." - 1 Samuel 3:1-20  

(GOD's call to Samuel is personal and direct.  The answer of the child Samuel prepares him for greater things.

How seriously Eli, in spite of his age and function, regards Samuel!  He knows that spiritual maturity has nothing to do with physical age and he accepts GOD's reproaches relayed through this boy.

The Bible also underlines the responsibility of those who do not discipline their children.  The father's duty to educate and correct his children, even by punishing them, instead of leaving them to do what they want, was taught in Israel.  As the conscience of the child is not yet fully awake, the future liberty of the young person as a mature adult has to be ensured through the discipline of a "Law".

The call of Samuel reminds us that every person has a vocation, i.e., that GOD calls individuals and destines them to accomplish their own irreplaceable tasks.  In our society many are looked upon merely as work force and receive little appreciation.  Since they have no duty or responsibility of which they can be proud, they rightly feel frustrated.  They do not feel themselves "called" or needed for something big.  So they lack one of the more important drives to build their future.  In directing one's life, each one has to ask:  "What does GOD want of me?")

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"Healthy People Don't Need A Doctor, But Sick People Do. I Did Not Come To Call The Righteous, But Sinners."

"When JESUS went out again, beside the lake, a crowd came to HIM, and HE taught them.  As HE walked along, HE saw a tax collector sitting in his office.  This was Levi, the son of Alpheus.  JESUS said to him, 'Follow ME!'  And Levi got up and followed HIM.

And it so happened that, when JESUS eating in Levi's house, tax collectors and sinners sat with HIM and HIS disciples; there were a lot of them, and they used to follow JESUS.

But Pharisees, men educated in the law, when they saw JESUS eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to HIS disciples, 'Why does your master eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'

JESUS heard them, and answered, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:13-17 

 

(To enter the family of GOD, we must change some of our values.  This conversion is not as conspicuous as participation in devotional practices but is much more valuable.  First, we must liberate ourselves from prejudices by which we classify people.  Let us stop dividing people into good or bad; those we can greet and those we cannot.  Let us learn that GOD does not hate the rich or the uneducated, those on the left or those on the right, for GOD's merciful plan sees to the salvation of all.

Levi is probably the apostle Matthew [Matthew 9:9].  In this case, like Simon, named Peter by JESUS, Levi would have been given the name of Matthew; in Hebrew Mattai means gift of GOD.)

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JESUS Forgives And Cures A Paralytic

"After some days JESUS returned to Capernaum.  As the news spread that HE was at home, so many people gathered that there was no longer room even outside the door.  While JESUS was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to HIM. 

The four men who carried him couldn't get near JESUS because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where JESUS was and, through the hole, lowered the man on his mat.  When JESUS saw the faith of these people, HE said to the paralytic, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.'

Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, 'How can HE speak like this insulting GOD?  Who can forgive sins except GOD?'

At once JESUS knew through HIS spirit what they were thinking and asked, 'Why do you wonder?  Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man:  'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say:  'Rise, take up your mat and walk?'  But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.'

And HE said to the paralytic, 'Stand up, take up your mat and go home.'  The man rose and, in the sight of all those people, he took up his mat and went out.  All of them were astonished and praised GOD saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!" - Mark 2:1-12  

(With this miracle on the paralytic cured and forgiven, JESUS gives three answers at the same time:  to the sick man, to his friends and to the Pharisees.

When JESUS saw the faith of these people.  These are the friends of the paralytic, and JESUS rewards their faith.

Apparently the paralytic did nothing more than consent to their advice.  At once, JESUS tells him - your sins are forgiven.  What a strange thing to say!  How can JESUS forgive sins if the man is not conscious of any fault and, at the same time, repentant and awaiting forgiveness?  Certainly during his long infirmity, this man had asked himself why GOD was punishing him [the people of his time believed sickness was a punishment from GOD].  Many texts of the Old Testament emphasize the complex connection between sin and illness.  It is often illness that makes us conscious of our state of sinfulness, and for HIS part JESUS does not want to heal unless there is reconciliation with GOD.

JESUS acts like GOD:  HE looked at the sinner, rectified the complexes of culpability and pardoned before healing.

Later the Pharisees arrive.  When JESUS forgave the paralytic, the simple people did not realize how scandalous HIS words were.  They did not have enough religious formation to realize immediately that only GOD could give absolution.  It was the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who were scandalized.  Their indignation is justified because neither they, nor the others, nor the disciples, yet understand that JESUS is the true Son of GOD.  JESUS silences them:  If I restore health in the same way GOD does, should not I also forgive in the way GOD does?

JESUS disconcerts those who ask who HE is.  Better still, HE shows  that only HE can save the whole person, body and soul.

Happy this man who was assured of HIS pardon through the glance and the words of JESUS!  GOD is HE who lives and loves, and we need to meet HIM so that forgiveness can be authentic - HIS eyes meeting our eyes.  Because of this, GOD had to become human - JESUS forgives sins because HE is a Son of Man and from HIM, we receive the pardon both of GOD and of people within the Christian community.)

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The Marginalized

"A leper came to JESUS and begged HIM, 'If YOU want to, YOU can make me clean.'  Moved with pity, JESUS stretched out HIS hand and touched him, saying, 'I do want to; be clean.'  The leprosy left the man at once and he was made clean.  As JESUS sent the man away, HE sternly warned him, 'Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest; and for the cleansing, bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way, you will give to them your testimony.'

However, as soon as the man went out, he began spreading the news everywhere, so that JESUS could no longer openly enter any town.  But even though HE stayed in the rural areas, people came to HIM from everywhere." - Mark 1:40-45  

(JESUS leaves Capernaum to announce the Good News to the most isolated and ignored families in the whole country.  There HE finds the lepers.  At that time leprosy was considered as a contagious disease.  Because of this, lepers had to live on the outskirts of the towns, far from the rest of the population.  There was also a belief that leprosy was an affliction from GOD, and the Jewish religion declared lepers unclean.

By JESUS act, the flesh of the leper becomes clean.  As a result of this, from that time on, he would be like others and people would no longer avoid him.  Both people and the law of GOD would acknowledge his dignity.

The Good News does not remain mere words, but it effects a change.  From then on, they would no longer be marginalized people.

Don't tell anyone.  Very often, particularly in the Gospel of Mark, JESUS gives this order to those who have just been cured of an evil.  We must note, however, that JESUS does not give this order when HE is outside Israel territory; and that the order is not given after the transfiguration.

JESUS imposed this silence during the first part of HIS public life because most of the people expected a warlike and vengeful Messiah.  JESUS did not want any ambiguity about HIS mission.  Only when JESUS had sufficiently distanced HIMSELF from this popular image of the Messiah, would HE begin to reveal, first to HIS disciples, the mystery of HIS person.

For this same reason Mark, who differs from Matthew, rarely uses the expression "Son of GOD."  Mark reserves it for the privileged moments of JESUS' revelation to people: HIS baptism and transfiguration, and at the conclusion of the passion on the lips of the centurion.)

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JESUS Heals Many

"On leaving the synagogue, JESUS went to the home of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  As Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever, they immediately told HIM about her.  JESUS went to her and taking her by hand, raised her up.  The fever left her, and she began to wait on them.

That evening, at sundown, people brought to JESUS all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was pressing around the door.  JESUS healed many who had various diseases and drop out many demons; but HE did not let them speak, for they knew who HE was.

Very early in the morning, before daylight, JESUS went off to a lonely place where HE prayed.  Simon and the others went out also, searching for HIM; and when they found HIM, they said, 'Everyone is looking for YOU.'  Then JESUS answered, 'Let us go to the nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I came.'

So JESUS set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout Galilee; HE also cast out demons." - Mark 1:29-39  

(Peter's simple faith is manifested.  JESUS enters the house, bringing with HIM peace and health.  JESUS shows us how to visit the sick.  What a natural thing to do when Mass ends--to go see the sick.  The care and love of our Christian sisters and brothers attracts GOD's favors upon them.

That evening at sundown.  Let us not forget that it is the Sabbath, the weekly day of rest.  For the Jews days are counted from the time of sunset and night precedes day as shown in Genesis 1:5. Everyone observes the Sabbath, just as JESUS does and there is such haste to bring the sick to HIM that they begin to do so in the evening as soon as the Sabbath is over.

The apostles knew GOD since childhood through the Scripture's teachings; perhaps they had not discovered GOD within their own lives but prayed to GOD as to a distant stranger.  When they joined JESUS, they immediately understood that there was something extraordinary about HIM.  They were especially taken with HIS apparent intimacy with GOD.  The most extraordinary thing they noted in HIS manner and actions was HIS intimate and faithful union with HIS FATHER.

Living with JESUS, they begin to desire to know the FATHER more fully, something like JESUS knows HIM [Luke 11:1; John 14:8; 15:15].)

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"In Truth, I Tell You."

"JESUS went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and began teaching the people at the Sabbath meetings.  They were astonished at the way HE taught them, for HIS word was spoken with authority.

In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by an evil spirit, who shouted in a loud voice, 'What do YOU want with us, JESUS of Nazareth?  Have YOU come to destroy us?  I recognize YOU: YOU are the Holy One of GOD.'  Then JESUS said to him sharply, 'Be silent and leave this man!'  The evil spirit then threw the man down in front of them, and came out of him without doing him harm.

Amazement seized all these people, and they said to one another, 'What does this mean?  HE commands the evil spirits with authority and power.  HE orders, and you see how they come out!'  And news about JESUS spread throughout the surrounding area." - Luke 4:31-37  

(Mark has shown us how JESUS began HIS public life: HE became part of a movement of conversion that had shaken everyone at the call of John the Baptist.  It was then that JESUS began preaching and met HIS first disciples.

Mark will now give us a "day" in the life of JESUS.  Through HIS words and actions, a power that impresses every witness becomes manifest.  At the beginning of HIS ministry, JESUS preaches in the synagogues.  The synagogue is the Jewish house of prayer.  People gather each Saturday for the chanting of the Psalms and the reading of the Scriptures.  The one in charge preaches and invites others to join.  This is where JESUS reveals HIMSELF.  HE is not like the teachers of the law who repeat, interpret, and give others' opinions.  JESUS speaks on HIS own and HE speaks with authority, "In truth, I tell you."

With the same authority JESUS drives out demons.  This act also contains a message: JESUS delivers us from the influence of the Devil, who strives to destroy those created in the likeness of GOD.

This "Master of the world" [John 14:30] is present in all human business and culture to deceive human purposes and converts any progress into new slavery.)

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Faith Comes From GOD

"All those, who believe that JESUS is the Anointed, are born of GOD; whoever loves the FATHER, loves the Son.  How may we know that we love the children of GOD?  If we love GOD and fulfill HIS commands,

for GOD's love requires us to keep HIS commands.  In fact, HIS commandments are not a burden

because all those born of GOD overcome the world.  And the victory, which overcomes the world, is our faith.  Who has overcome the world?  The one who believes that JESUS is the Son of GOD." - 1 John 5:1-5 

(GOD-Love is the one who asks us to believe in HIS Son, and faith is a victory.  John wrote the Book of Revelation to give hope to persecuted believers, showing them the victory, they share with CHRIST simply because they believe in HIM.  John repeats the same thing here in a different way.

Our greatest victory is to attain our inheritance as children of GOD and to reach the eternal life of GOD HIMSELF.  Those who believe in CHRIST have already come to the Truth, to GOD.

How may we know that we love the children of GOD?  John already told us: the person who loves GOD also loves his brothers and sisters.  Here, however, John expresses it the other way around: those who love their brothers and sisters are known by the fact that they love GOD.

Many things are called love; there may be something of love in all of them, more or less.  The love of GOD for us and the love that HE gives us toward other people cannot be confused with other loves.  The love springing from an authentic communion with GOD does not resemble sentimental love, blind and fickle.  Rather, it is effective, both in the sense that it liberates others, and it transforms us in CHRIST.)

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Wise Men From The East

"When JESUS was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of king Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem.  They asked, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews?  We saw the rising of HIS star in the East and have come to honor HIM.'

When Herod heard this, he was greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem.  He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 

'In the town of Bethlehem in Judea', they told him, 'For this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, one who is to shepherd MY people, Israel.'

Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, 'Go and get accurate information about the child.  As soon as you have found HIM, report to me, so that I, too, may go and honor HIM.'

After the meeting with the king, they set out.  The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again.  They went into the house, and when they saw the child with Mary HIS mother, they knelt and worshiped HIM.  They opened their bags and offered HIM their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.

In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way." - Matthew 2:1-12  

(The general manifestation of GOD's presence in nature and its attendant beauty has sometimes referred to as "diaphany," a Greek word meaning "to appear through," but beyond and deeper than this diaphany is the "theophany" in the history of the people of GOD.  The "Epiphany" is the ultimate manifestation and is applied to the revelation of GOD's glory in JESUS of Nazareth who becomes the complete sign of this glory.  John's Gospel has worked out this theme best.  True wisdom is to seek, find, recognize, and adore GOD's real presence in the signs and events of our times.)

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"After Me Comes One Who Is More Powerful Than I Am; I Have Baptized You With Water, But HE Will Baptize You In The Holy Spirit."

"This is the beginning of the Good News of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD.  It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet, 'I AM sending MY messenger ahead of you, to prepare YOUR way.  Let the people hear the voice calling in the desert: Prepare the way of the LORD, level HIS paths.'

So, John began to baptize in the desert; he preached a baptism of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.  All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.

John was clothed in camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist.  His food was locusts and honey.  He preached to the people, saying, 'After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but HE will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.'

At that time, JESUS came from Nazareth, a town of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And the moment HE came up out of the water, heaven opened before HIM, and HE saw the Spirit coming down on HIM like a dove.  And these words were heard from heaven, 'YOU are MY Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen.'" - Mark 1:1-11

(In verses 1 to 13, Mark gives us in three short presentations three important insights about JESUS' salvation.

Verses 1-7.  John the Baptist announces the coming of the One sent by GOD: this JESUS about whom the Gospel will speak to us has been announced, prepared by all the great witnesses of the Old Testament.  In HIM and by HIM GOD 's salvation will be accomplished.

Verses 9-10.  JESUS goes down into the Jordan to open the gates of the true Promised Land [see the Book of Joshua]: HE is the beloved Son of the FATHER on whom the Spirit rests.  JESUS comes to reveal the mystery of GOD, the mystery of the love of GOD--FATHER, Son and Spirit.

Verses 11-13.  JESUS is at peace with the wild animals as HE is with the angels.  In HIM and by HIM will be accomplished the reconciliation of all creation with its GOD.  Such had to be the Messiah announced by Isaiah [Isaiah 11]. 

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Praise To GOD, Creator And Shepherd

 
 "Serve YAHWEH with gladness; come before HIM with joyful songs.
Know that YAHWEH  is GOD; HE created us, and we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS fold.
Enter HIS gates with thanksgiving, HIS courts with praise.  Give thanks to HIM and praise HIS name.
For YAHWEH is good; HIS love lasts forever; and HIS faithfulness, through all generations."
- Psalm 100:2-5

(The psalm bids us rejoice in GOD, because we are utterly HIS.  From the psalmist, the glad reflection provokes an outburst of gratitude.  From those who know the Cross it should bring about a cry of wonder that GOD should have brought, what was already HIS own--that we should belong to HIM doubly.  'You are bought with a great price,' writes St. Paul; 'not with gold or silver,' Peter says, 'but with the precious blood of CHRIST' [1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18].  This psalm was born again on Calvary.  We must remember that as we sing it!)

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"We Have Found The Messiah."

"On the following day John was standing there again with two of his disciples.  As JESUS walked by, John looked at HIM and said, 'There is the Lamb of GOD.'  On hearing this, the two disciples followed JESUS.  HE turned and saw them following, and HE said to them, 'What are you looking for?'  They answered, 'Rabbi [which means Master], where are YOU staying?'  JESUS said, 'Come and see.'  So, they went and saw where HE stayed and spent the rest of that day with HIM.  It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said and followed JESUS.  Early the next morning he found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' [which means the CHRIST], and he brought Simon to JESUS.  JESUS looked at him and said, 'You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called Cephas' [which means Rock]." - John 1:35-42  

(This Gospel is the work of John the Evangelist who should not be confused with John the Baptist.  John the Evangelist was one of the first two disciples to follow JESUS.

John concerned about helping us understand the profound meaning of JESUS' actions, dwells on details to which we would not immediately pay attention.  For example, the Bible begins with the poem describing Creation as happening in seven days, and because John sees JESUS' work as a new creation, he describes the beginning of JESUS' public ministry as happening within a week [seven being a symbolic number].

On the first day John the Baptist affirmed: there is one among you whom you do not know.  We see how, during the week, John the Baptist was the first to discover JESUS.  Then later, John, Andrew and Simon also discovered HIM.  The last day of the first week will be at the wedding in Cana, where JESUS will let them discover HIS glory.

What are you looking for?  John did not forget these first words JESUS spoke to them.  We want to know who JESUS is, but HE asks us what our inner dispositions are: because we will gain nothing through finding HIM unless we are disposed to submit ourselves to HIM.

These two disciples began to live with JESUS.  With time, they would discover that HE is the Teacher, the Messiah, the Son of GOD.  So, too, with us.  We progress in this knowledge of JESUS CHRIST as we go on our journey through life.

John the Baptist was without jealousy, he had encouraged his disciples to follow JESUS, and later the first two brought others.  Likewise, we come to JESUS because of another person who spoke to us of HIM or involved us in an apostolic task.)

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