4th Sunday - B (January 28, 2018)

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Mark 1: 21-28

We Are The Presence of God’s Kingdom

The presence of Jesus in the synagogue of Capernaum is the presence of God’s Kingdom.  And that presence is intolerable for the evil spirit [1].  In fact, the evil spirit cries out on its own and thus betrays itself. 

The Kingdom of God is present in our midst.  With Jesus coming into the world, we now and will always live in that presence. 

Moreover, Jesus entered the synagogue with his disciples who he had just called (last week’s Gospel).  They become a part of God’s Kingdom when they are with Jesus.

It is still the case with us.  We are the presence of God’s Kingdom now.  The closer we are to Jesus the stronger we make present the Kingdom of God, and the more effective we are in dispelling the evil spirits in our world. 

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[1] Francis J. Moloney. The Gospel of Mark, A Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2002; p. 53.

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3rd Sunday - B (January 21, 2018)

Mark 1: 14-20

This is the Time of Fulfillment

Earlier in the same Chapter 1, Mark summarized the mission and message of John the Baptist.  “John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (1:10)

Now, exactly ten verses later, we learned that John had been arrested.

Guess what Jesus does now.  He arrives on the scene and continues exactly what John had prepared the people for.  He calls people to “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Jesus also gives the reason for his mission and his message.  “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”

We are now living in this time of fulfillment.  We are living in God’s kingdom. 

Like John, Jesus gave his life for this mission.  He gave his life so that we might live in God’s kingdom

How do I treat his message?  Do I appreciate the gift of being in God’s kingdom that Jesus gave me by his death and resurrection?

 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

2nd Sunday - B (January 14, 2018)

John 1: 35-42

“What are You Looking for?

Jesus asks the two disciples, “What are you looking for?”

He is asking us the same question today.  In fact, every day we need to reply to that question because the answer gives the direction to our lives.

We look for all kinds of things.  We also look for direction from all kinds of people.  We follow celebrities, athletes, writers, philosophers, political leaders….  Most of us also have followers, whether in our children, people who look up to us, or people who follow us on social media, etc.

But we know that only in following Jesus do we find life in its fullness, both in this life and in eternal life.  Thus, St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power” (2^nd reading).

It is not what we should look for, but who. 

Let us strive to look for Jesus each day.  

 

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