Faith

Am I right or self- righteous? Wednesday, 2nd Week in ordinary time – Mark 3:1-6

Read also another article on this Gospel text by clicking this link https://www.pottypadre.com/withered-hands-hardened-hearts/

In Mark 1:21 Jesus entered the synagogue in Capernaum. Now, the scriptures mention that he has entered “the synagogue again.” Looking at the text in its sequence, it seems like a week has passed since the previous verse. In Mark 2:23-28, the preceding passage, we are told that it was the sabbath (Mark 2:23). At the end of that sabbath incident, Jesus asserted that “the sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the sabbath.” He also asserted that he is the “Lord of the Sabbath.” Now as if to reiterate a point, St Mark tells us of another narrative in the synagogue of Capernaum, one sabbath later. This time it is clear that the hostility has built up against Jesus for Mark emphatically tells us that “they watched him” (3:2) “so that they might accuse him.”

Our actions should never be brash or with the intent to deliberately cause scandal. However, if done with a clear conscience, then public opinion should not sway us nor influence the good that we would like to do even if it displeases many. In this case, Jesus had asserted his stance on the role of the Sabbath and now once again an act of kindness and mercy was required for a man with a withered hand who was in the synagogue. Once again Jesus appeals to common sense. “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath? To save life or to kill it?”

A heart that beats, does not need to be prompted to answer rightly. Sadly, those in the synagogue that day had become religious extremists if not liturgical terrorist. For them, the law surpassed love; rigidity took precedence over humanity! They knew that Jesus was right but they did not want to give up their right to hold a religious law that they held slavishly. This was their chance for slavish shackles to be broken but they chose the chains of religious rigidity. Scripture tells them they were silent to the question asked by Jesus when in fact applause should have been the response.

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No snacking – Tuesday, Memorial of St Anthony the Abbott – Mark 2:23-28

Chapter 2 of the Gospel of Mark begins with five controversy narratives. Our text of today highlights the fourth controversy, this time with the Pharisees. Earlier in 2:1-12 he had a run in with the scribes. In Mark 2:13-17 it was the scribes of the Pharisees who objected to Jesus’ dining with sinners and tax collectors. In 2: 18-22 it was the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees who got together to targets Jesus on the issue of fasting and now we have the Pharisees who take umbrage with Our Lord.

More than the miracles of Jesus, it was the statements that he uttered on those occasions that got the ears of the Pharisees all puckered up. To compound matters, Jesus then calls Levi, a tax collector to be a disciple and much to the horror of the Pharisees dines with him and his friends. At first, the Pharisees merely questioned the actions of this rabbi but then begin to get agitated. “Why does this fellow speak in this way?” (2:7) Finally, they take their ire and irritation to the door step of Jesus in order to chastise him for being a bad example to his disciples.

Who knew that a Sabbath snack would kick up such a ruckus? The Old Testament, especially the First five books of the Law, has just one thing to say about the Sabbath; keep it holy (Exodus 20: 8- 11). The Rabbis seemed unhappy with such a basic law and found it necessary to specify thirty nine actions as forbidden on the Sabbath; amongst them were reaping, winnowing, threshing and preparing a meal. But every law has an exception and this was no different. Humanitarian grounds exempted one from these actions on the Sabbath. Saving a life took precedence over keeping the law.

The disciples are hungry and walking through the grain fields now perform three actions which for the Pharisees constituted as work on the Sabbath; the plucked, they threshed or rubbed it in their hands and they ate (the entire process cumulatively seems like they baked some bread). The Pharisees now have their cause to pick to a fight with Jesus.

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Memorial – St Joseph Vaz – Mark 1:14-20

St Joseph Vaz was a Catholic Oratorian priest from Goa. He was born on April 21, 1651 in Benaulim. He is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. Ordained in 1675, he was a highly sought after preacher, and desired to follow in the footsteps of the great apostle of the Indies, St Francis Xavier. He was pious, spending much time in prayer, and caring for the poor and sick.

The Portuguese government wanted to propagate Catholicism in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), which was under Dutch (Protestant) rule in those days. Calvinism was the official religion in Ceylon and no catholic priest was allowed on the island. Fr. Vaz entered Ceylon disguising himself as a coolie wearing a loin cloth around his waist. His wheatish brown complexion helped him slip onto the island. Under the fear of being caught by the Dutch who were ruling in Sri Lanka, he disguised himself as a baker, dhobi, coolie, servant, businessman, porter and even a fisherwoman. He would work during the night by the light of the moon. 

He traveled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics. He worked alone in Sri Lanka for 10 years and the next 14 years was accompanied by Goan Oratorians. He learnt their culture, sang their songs, and helped build their own local Church, never imposing the western Church on the faithful. Another important innovation came in the formation of lay leaders and catechists by Fr Vaz. He entrusted the local churches to the laity, something that was unheard of and unthinkable in his day.

Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kandyan kingdom where he was able to work freely. At the time of his death, Fr. Vaz managed to rebuild the Catholic church on the island. He served 30 years as a priest, 24 of them in the Sri Lankan Vineyard. On 21 January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo. He was canonized on January 14, 2015 by Pope Francis at Galle Face Green, Sri Lanka. I was very privileged to be at this canonization

The Gospel of Mark set aside for today’s memorial records the first homily that Jesus preached and it was all of eighteen words, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Jesus pulls back no punches. He is not here to win a popularity contest for the religious. His message is short, direct and hard hitting.

To most religious leaders, such a homily would only serve to drive away a congregation. As St. Paul says, ‘congregations have ‘itchy ears’ and sadly these are pandered to.’ Yet the Lord has a method to what might seem like madness.

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Casting faith in a mould – Saturday, 1st Week in Ordinary time – Mark 2: 13-17

To help you get a better understanding of today’s Gospel, read also https://www.pottypadre.com/righteous-or-self-righteous/

When we read about the scribes or Pharisees in the Bible, our minds are practically made up! These were the Christ-killers; the thorn in Our Lord’s side, the bitter and unhappy ones. But what if initially they were not? What if they were just seekers who sought to understand the strange and shocking actions of our Lord that seemed so alien to what they were used to?

Consider today’s Gospel. As usual Jesus is teaching (2:13). Notice that the Gospel of Mark has mentioned this fact several times already. While he was teaching our Lord was also observing. We know from the Gospel of Mark that at this point he had many followers and disciples but he had called just four to be apostles ( a title not yet mentioned in the Gospel of St Mark) We know that Peter and Andrew, James and John have been called by Jesus to follow him (Mark 1:16-20). Now he calls Levi or Matthew, a tax collector with words similar to the call of the previous four.

Notice that none of these five apostles have questions or clarifications when called. The call of Christ is clear and those whom he called or is calling (yes that includes you) knew that this is a call from Jesus himself. It is the evil one that sows doubt. Think about it, you are being called to serve and to follow him right now but instinctively you will have doubts and fears; that is satan acting against us.

Levi obviously has thrown a dinner. This was by no means a pauper who struggled to eke out a living. Tax collectors were corrupt, ruthless and had no qualms sleeping with the enemy. Levi’s resignation from his job to follow a preacher would certainly have drawn in all sorts of curious onlookers. We are told the house has other tax collectors, sinful men (remember women did not sit at the table) and a bunch of Jesus disciples and followers and perhaps lurking outside the house were the Scribes of the Pharisees.

This was the most unconventional place for a self-respecting Rabbi to be seen, much less easting supper. Dining with someone was an indication that you shared in the innermost circle of love and trust. There is no evidence that the scribes of the Pharisees (a curious term used here) had daggers drawn out against Jesus. Perhaps as I have suggested, they were flummoxed and could not wrap their head around this most bizarre gathering. Hence, they sought an explanation. “ Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

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Life then Limb – Friday, 1st Week in Ordinary time – Mark 2:1-12

Please also read https://www.pottypadre.com/matters-of-the-heart/ which also takes in a studied view of the text.

The narrative of Peter’s mother-in-law ended with the whole city gathering at the door of their house (Mark 1:33). In today’s Gospel, Jesus has returned to Capernaum, returning to his de-facto home. Jesus had made Simons home his headquarters in Galilee. Once again, everyone has gathered in front of the door of Simon’s house (2:2) and Jesus we are told, was speaking the word to them

It is true that the world is attracted by miracles and the spectacular but miracles were the byproduct of Jesus’ principle ministry. We are told in today’s narrative that the crowd had gathered at his home where he was ‘speaking THE WORD to them.’ Earlier in Mark 1:39 we are told, ‘ he went throughout Galilee proclaiming THE MESSAGE in the synagogue.’ And in !:38 in response to the phenomenon he has become as a healer Jesus says to Peter, “Let us go to the neighbouring towns so that I may proclaim THE MESSAGE.”

While this miracle narrative may have many reflections (and I have reflected on them in the article mentioned above with the link) I want to focus on the principle ministry of Jesus and that is proclaiming the word or message. We are told in Mark’s Gospel that Jesu taught with authority unlike the scribes (1:22) and it is this teaching ministry of Jesus that should not be overshadowed by a wicked generation that seeks a sign (Matthew 12:39 and 16:4).

When you look at the narrative of the paralytic lowered from the roof by four men, Jesus was in the midst of a teaching. He was doing what he came to do, to preach the word. The contents of that teaching are not mentioned by St Mark but what follows next is not merely a miracle but a continuation of Jesus message and proclamation.

The Gospel does not mention that the four men asked for a healing for the paralytic. Their actions, dramatic as they were, spoke of their desperation for one. Jesus sees the faith of the four men and the soul of the paralytic. His life was in need of a spiritual healing before his limbs could be restored. Perhaps for a few minutes the four men’s heart sank when Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” They were expecting their friend to be told to walk. Jesus first pronounced a healing of the soul before he healed the body. This is principle to the message of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark; Jesus came to defeat the evil one who has taken over our souls.

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