You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition. (Mk. 7:1-13) Jesus and His apostles ate their meals unclean, according to tradition. The Pharisees were quick to judge them.  Jesus quickly pointed out that, on the

They laid the sick in the marketplaces (Mk. 6:53-56) Mark often provides little detail in his accounts, yet this reading includes many significant elements. Jesus is recognized, the people scurry to bring the sick on straw

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn. (Is. 58:7-10) The Israelites are feeling smug in their detailed observance of the law, yet the Lord is clear something more important is missing. Their practices have

Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. (Mk. 6:30-34) The disciples have returned from an arduous missionary trip excited to share the news of the experience.  Jesus knows they need a

When Herod heard John speak, he was very much perplexed (Mk. 6:14-29) Today’s Gospel has three main themes: a conscience that has been silenced, a prophet whose bravery to preach repentance will not be quiet, and

“Take nothing for the journey” (Mk. 6:7-13) Jesus sends the twelve out two by two with special authority as his disciples. They are to travel lightly, not even taking a second tunic, food or money.  They

 “Where did this man get all this?” (Mk. 6:1-6) We often set parameters on what is expected of those we think we know so well. Jesus was no different.  He was so ordinary in Nazareth; he

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving” (Psalm 86:1-6) Today’s responsorial psalm is often used during times of crisis; the supplicant begging that God hearken to his prayer, seeking God’s mercy; happiness has departed.  The

“My eyes have seen your salvation.” (Lk. 2:22-40) Patience and trust…These are the lessons in today’s Gospel.  We know very little about Simeon and Anna except that they had been waiting for the Messiah for decades. 

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Mt. 5:1-12) Jesus’ sermon in today’s gospel is probably his most well-known and likely his least heeded words.  Those who live the virtues humility,

“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Mk. 4:35-41 The story of the storm is narrated by the three Synoptics, each in a different context. Mark has shown, by means of parables, what the Kingdom of

“It is worth preparing the land and waiting.” Mk. 4:26-34 From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus knew that the Kingdom of God that He announced moved within another logic. In the parables He found a

“Don’t hide the light under the bed.” Mk. 4:21-25 Jesus is the light that has come to illuminate all humanity. Those who receive it must be transformed, also becoming a light for others. It is not

“The word that comes out of my mouth does not return to me empty.” Mk. 4:1-20 Today we are offered to pray a parable well known and easy to understand, if the peasant world is familiar

A family in which everyone is mother, sister and brother. Mk. 3:31-35 Mark has told us that Jesus’ family found it difficult to understand his actions and his way of life, and they deduced that “He

Sin against the Holy Spirit. Mk. 3:22-30 The conflicts between Jesus and the religion presented in Mark’s gospel soon spread in Judea, especially in Jerusalem, where the religious authorities lived. Alarmed, some lawyers go to find

Sunday, January 25 Jesus’ first words. Mt. 4:12-23 Today, Sunday, we are with Matthew, we guide our prayer hand in hand with Pagola. “The evangelist takes care of the stage in which Jesus makes his public

Only a “madman” could do what Jesus did. Mk. 3:20-21 This very short gospel has a total logic, if we look at the family culture of Palestine in the time of Jesus. The first thing each

The Twelve: to be with Him and to proclaim the Kingdom. Mk. 3:13-19 According to Mark, Jesus already knows what ground he is treading on; Not easy. Surely He has prayed a lot at night; now

“All who suffered from anything were pushing forward to touch him.” Mk. 3:7-12 After the successive conflicts that Jesus had with those responsible for religion, Mark shows us the crowd that wanted to see him and

The relationship between religion and life. Mk. 3:1-6 Mark’s account is significant, and the scene takes place in the synagogue on a Sabbath day. We are, therefore, in a place and a day that must be

“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 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

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

 “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

“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

“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

“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

“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

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