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.)

On-Site 

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].)

On-Site  

"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.)

On-Site   

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.)

On-Site

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.)

On-Site

"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]. 

On-Site 

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!)

On-Site

"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.)

On-Site

Imitate The Humility Of JESUS

"Though HE was in the form of GOD, HE did not regard equality with GOD as something to be grasped,

but emptied HIMSELF,

taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness,

and, in HIS appearance, found, as a man,

HE humbled HIMSELF by being obedient, to death,

death on the cross.

That is why GOD exalted HIM

and gave HIM the name which outshines all names,

so, that, at the name of JESUS all knees should bend.

in heaven, on earth and among the dead,

and all tongues proclaim, that CHRIST JESUS is the LORD,

to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

- Philippians 2:6-11

(HE did not regard equality with GOD: the mystery of GOD's Son who became a mortal man and gave up GOD's glory, although HE could have preserved it even in HIS human life.  Since CHRIST was to be the New Man, glorified by GOD and placed above everything, HIS being subject to misery and limitations was a way of being reduced to nothingness.

GOD exalted HIM.   The humiliation and obedience of CHRIST were the condition for receiving HIS glory.  HE gave HIM the name [of GOD], that is, HE made HIM fully enjoy in HIS human nature the divine Power [or name].)

On-Site

John The Baptist Presents JESUS, The Lamb Of GOD

"This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, 'Who are you?'  John recognized the truth and did not deny it.  He said, 'I am not the Messiah.'

And they asked him, 'Then who are you?  Elijah?'  He answered, 'I am not.'  They said, 'Are you the prophet?'  And he answered, 'No.'  Then they said to him, 'Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us.  How do you see yourself?'  And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, 'I am the voice crying out in the wilderness:  Make straight the way of the LORD.' 

Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so, they put a further question to John:  'Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?'  John answered, 'I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although HE comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of HIS sandal.'

This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing." - John 1:19-28 

(The authorities wondered:  "Who is this who on his own initiative has begun to preach?"  At that time, various Jewish groups "baptized", or bathed, as a means of purification and to hasten the coming of the Messiah.

The Messiah is the name the Jews gave to the expected Savior.  They also expected the Prophet, but it was not clear whether or not the Prophet would be someone other than the Messiah.  It was believed that the prophet Elijah would reappear before the Messiah's arrival.)

On-Site