“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” Mk. 2:23-28 Mark wants to put things in their place because it was also difficult for him to accept the novelty that Jesus brought with respect to the law of Moses. He narrates the passage of the disciples walking, tired, plucking ears of corn to satisfy …
“The message of Jesus is a wine that the old Institutions cannot contain.” Mk. 2:18-22 Hand in hand with Mark, we continue to pray with the newness that Jesus brought. What prevented many from accepting him was the fear of his message and his revolutionary action, which called into question the security of the Jewish …
Sunday, January 18 “We, the Church, the Baptized by the Spirit of Jesus” Jn. 1:29-34 Last Sunday we prayed about the Baptism of Jesus; today we focus on us, baptized by his Spirit. The first Christians wanted to distinguish themselves from the followers of the Baptist, whose external rite did not transform. Christians allowed themselves …
“He eats with publicans and sinners.” Mk. 2:13-17 Levi was a tax collector, a position that made him a sinner for dealing with non-Jews and serving the Romans. In the Old Testament, fasting was a means for union with God; in the New Testament, it is food. Jesus had a hard time changing these patterns …
“Get up, take your stretcher, go home. You are forgiven.” Mk. 2:1-12 One would not expect to find in the book of God’s Word so many details; An opening made on the roof by some neighbors who are looking for a miracle for a man sunk in passivity. Jesus values these simple efforts and, without …
“He was moved by pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing. Be clean.’ ” Mk. 1:40-45 It is striking in this story that the leper does not ask for healing, but for purification; he wants to be clean. He is more concerned with religious purity than health. According to Jewish …
“Jesus came, took her by the hand, and lifted her up.” Mk. 1:29-39 Bible scholars help us discover that Jesus’ teaching is underscored by his gestures. The hands have great significance because they can heal or wound, welcome or reject. In the story, Jesus arrives at Peter’s house and finds his mother-in-law sick. Although it …
“This teaching with authority is new!” Mk. 1:21b-28 Jesus teaches in the synagogue in Capernaum, where the people are accustomed to hearing from authorized teachers. We do not know what He taught that day, but we do know the impact it produced; It was so amazing that an unclean spirit reacted with screams, unable to …
Monday, January 12 First Week in Ordinary Time “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the Good News.” Mk. 1:14-20 According to Mark, the oldest of the Gospels, Jesus began his ministry by giving Good News: “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the …
Baptism of the Lord. “This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.” Mt. 3:13-17 Today we pray with this fact of Jesus’ life, a pivotal moment in his history. He sympathizes with the conversion movement promoted by John, receiving Baptism from his hands, despite John’s resistance. Afterwards, Jesus does not return to his work …
