Today Luke (5:27-32) tells us of Jesus’ calling of the tax collector Levi (Matthew) and the subsequent banquet at his house.  The Pharisees and scribes complain to Jesus and His followers about their associating with “tax collectors and sinners.” (v. 30)  Jesus begins His reply by saying: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.” (v.31)  How true!  Consider our churches.  How often do we hear our fellow church-goers complain about the “hypocrites” that are sharing pews with us at church on Sundays.  Maybe they, or we, even know of some terrible things done be others attending with us.  But don’t those who have the larger burden of sins and vices need the Divine Doctor even more?  And are we so sure that we are not in that number (if St. Paul the Apostle consider himself “foremost of sinners” [1 Timothy (1:15)] then how should we look at ourselves?).  Who knows what scripture reading, prayer, communion, or friendly gesture, will stir up a(/our) heart to repentance?  For us, nothing short of imitation of Jesus’ love for sinners and the outcast will do.  Thus Jesus closes His reply with the words at top.

Jesus (in Mt 9:14-15) responds to disciples of John the Baptist as to why His disciples never fast, when John’s disciples and the Pharisees fast often.  Jesus answers them: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” (v. 15)  He then concludes with the words above.  This should cause us to reflect on where Christ is missing in our lives.  Should we not make the effort, no matter how difficult, to fast completely from the bad habits that we can’t seem to shake or the “little” vices we allow ourselves?  Emptying ourselves of these things that diminish us allows room to open up and be filled with the grace of Christ.  Remember: It is not “only human” to sin, but rather it is inhumane, affecting us personally as well as the whole Body of Christ, at the head of which is the perfect Man, who we should strive to imitate.  Only after recognizing the need for personal reform, and acting decisively on it, should we then look at society.  Christ is more and more being pushed aside in our country and in the world at large.  Should we not abstain from TV shows, movies, periodicals, events, and gatherings that further the cause of secularization and even paganism?  And might we not employ fasting, at least occasionally, for the cause of bringing Christ back into our culture?  Let us consider what extra we can do, particularly during this special time of preparation the Church has graciously provided us.

In today’s gospel reading from Luke (9:22-25), Jesus, speaking to His disciples, predicts His passion, death, and resurrection.  With this image of suffering in mind, Jesus addresses to all around Him the difficulties they will encounter if they faithfully follow Him.  Jesus speaks of self-denial, burdens that must be borne, and even the possibility of the loss of life, all for His sake.  Not a very attractive vision, except that all of this leads to the follower’s eternal soul being saved.  Death leads to life.  Dying in the little opportunities for mortification that arise throughout each day.  Dying because of the ridicule or viciousness aimed at us by a society which is losing any moral standard whatsoever.  And, God forbid, the possibility of our blood being shed to uphold our beliefs.  The time has come to get off the fence.  There is no room for compromising.  There is no room for being tepid.  Remember the words of God in the last book of the Bible: “But because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:16)  A lurid image, and a wake-up call.  Are you still dozing?

Entering Lent today, we step away from our journey through Mark until after the Easter season.  Ash Wednesday’s gospel reading is from Matthew chapter 6 (vv. 1-6 and 16-18).  In this episode, Jesus tells his disciples the proper way to perform good deeds, to pray, and to fast.  The way not to do it is the attitude of the “hypocrites” that Jesus refers to in each instance; they make it clearly known what they are doing so as to garner the praise of men.  But Jesus says that these things should be done in secret and without any human person knowing that they are being done; although no one else is aware of it, “your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (v. 18)  As we enter this time of preparation for Easter, when we should consider performing acts of self-giving and self-denial, today’s lesson is particularly appropriate.  There is no need to boast about, or even mention, what acts of mortification or additional works you are doing during this time.  If you have given up eating between meals, and there is a mid-morning office party, don’t partake.  If asked, simply politely decline (“Thanks, but I’m fine”) — no explanation is necessary.  If you’ve vowed to read the Bible for a half an hour during each lunch break, do so without fanfare.  To the inquirer, say you are going to remain in your office to do some reading (“I really feel like staying in today”).  If you’ve forsaken desserts, and you are at a dinner party, pass (“It looks absolutely delicious, but none for me — thanks so much for offering, though!”).  And for goodness sake don’t complain (“It’s so hard to get up early for daily Mass”) or make excuses for bad behavior (“Giving up beer really has me on edge”) to others or yourself.  If you are ever severely pressed on some matter or fear that you are offending others by declining offers, give as little information as possible, be self-effacing, and minimize the actual effort you are putting forth (“This is just a little something I’m doing to, in some small way, prepare for Easter.”).  Family, good friends, and colleagues should respect that.  In doing this, you will avoid Jesus’ admonition to not seek the praise of men, but rather honor His call to seek to give praise to God.  And then He will work on the hearts of those you encounter through your humility and your honoring of His teaching.

Leaving the scene of the exorcism, Jesus and His disciples “began a journey through Galilee” (the beginning of Mk 9:30-37).  On the way, Jesus again predicts His passion, death, and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand this.  Reaching Capernaum, Jesus questions the disciples regarding what they were arguing about on the road.  They were discussing who among them was the greatest, but they weren’t going to tell Jesus that, thus they say nothing.  So Jesus takes aside the Twelve and says what is in the headline of this post.  I suppose it is hard for us to imagine such a silly discussion happening while Jesus was in their midst.  Being with Him daily, they witnessed riveting preaching and countless miracles.  These bunch of fishermen, and others of various and sundry backgrounds, were nobodies in the eyes of the world until Jesus called them.  Whether we consider ourselves nobodies or somebodies we must realize whatever talents or gifts we have were received (cf. Mt 25:14-30; Lk 19:12-28).  The best definition of humility I have ever heard is this: Humility is acknowledgment of the truth.  What’s the truth?  God is the creator, we are the creatures, and everything we have is given to us by Him and all that we have should be presented back to Him in spades.  The deadly sin of pride will find no home in us if we remember this.

Picking up (Mk 9:14-29) where we left off Saturday, Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down from the mountain after the Transfiguration to meet up with the other disciples.  From afar they notice a tumult.  Upon reaching the scene a man implores Jesus to exorcise his long-suffering son since His disciples were unable to do so.  Jesus, exasperated by the lack of faith (see headline), drives the demon out and restores the boy to his father.  In the world today, it is difficult not to repeat Jesus words about a “faithless generation” that is hard for us to “endure.”  We can very much appreciate Jesus’ bemoaning the fact that, like the present day, many people in His time had lost their way.  In an age and society increasingly hostile to religion and its adherents, and morally bankrupt, we might be tempted to lose hope.  The remedy is not despair, but rather the third theological virtue after faith and hope: that is, love.  Jesus’ words to His disciples at the end of this passage should be taken to heart by us as well: When the disciples asked why they could not drive out the evil spirit, Jesus’ said, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” (v. 29)  Love of God and love of others prompts and drives prayer.  If all people of good will never cease to pray for a conversion  of our world and culture, regardless of how bleak it seems or becomes, Satan has no chance — the Lord guarantees it.

Today’s reading picks up where we left off last Sunday, starting a new chapter in Mark (2:1-12).  This is the story of the paralytic whose helpers break through the roof of Jesus’ home in order to have Him heal their friend.  Jesus does so, but only after forgiving the poor man’s sins, which sends the scribes into a tizzy wondering where Jesus gets the authority to do this.  The passage closes with the onlookers glorifying God with the words in the headline.  One can understand their astonishment and excitement.  It is very rare to personally encounter an immediate miraculous physical healing of this nature.  More profound, if less viscerally stimulating, is Jesus’ healing of the man’s soul.  We, too, are called to be healers of souls in our home, work, church, recreational (or wherever) environments.  In striving to be perfect (cf. Mt 5:48) we wish to be Jesus to others and see Jesus in others.  Hopefully we will embrace heroic virtue if necessary, but our consistent, everyday acts of kindness, generosity, understanding, and living out the Gospel in every way, in a culture that seems more and more antithetical to God and more focused on self, may well elicit words publicly and privately: “We have never seen anything like this.”

Now (Mk 9:2-13) Jesus takes just three of His disciples, leaving the rest behind, up a mountain where He is transfigured before them with Moses and Elijah appearing and conversing with Him.  The Father’s words then come: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him” (v. 7) before things go back to normal.  As the four are walking back down, Jesus charges them not to tell anyone about this event until “the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”  (v. 9)  They then question Jesus about Elijah coming first, and Jesus tells them that He already had (speaking of John the Baptist).  Peter’s words during the Transfiguration (in the headline) are words we should consider anytime we are in the presence of Christ.  One may think of this particularly at Mass at the elevation of the Host.  Isn’t it good that we are here!  And isn’t it good that we can be in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist just about anytime we want without fear of physical harm.  And if we are looked down upon, ostracized, or held in contempt by some for our devotion to the Lord, “consider it all joy” (Jas 1:2).  But let us not forget how else we encounter the Lord.  How do we respond to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill, the prisoner, the sinner, the prostitute, or any other “undesirable”?  “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40; cf. Mt 25:31-46)  When we come upon these “‘brothers” do we see Jesus?  And if it’s hard to see the Lord in them, think of the disfigurement, caused by sin, of Jesus on the way to Calvary.

Today’s reading wraps up chapter 8 of Mark and dips a toe into chapter 9 (Mk 8:34-9:1).  Here Jesus emphasizes the importance of letting nothing stand in one’s way from fully embracing the Gospel, emphasizing the eternal consequences of not being willing to deny oneself, suffer, and even die for Jesus.  He goes on to say: “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory.” (v. 36)  Hearing the words “faithless and sinful generation,” many of us would likely nod our heads in agreement and then quickly shake our heads in sadness as we consider our culture today.  Not so fast.  Jesus is speaking here to His hearers (that includes us — the Word is timeless) as individuals.  Are we denying ourselves anything?  Are we really willing to suffer, even die, for Jesus?  Are we proud of Jesus and willing to live according to His teachings and proclaim Him according to His command (cf. Mt 28:19).  The radical change we desire in society begins at home: “Physician, heal thyself.” (Lk 4:23)  Reforming our own lives and families (“the domestic church” — Lumen Gentium, 11) is the first step in transforming our world.  Be a shining example, not a light hidden under a bushel. (cf. Mt 5:14–15, Mk 4:21–25 and Lk 8:16–18)

Moving on once again, “Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.” (the first verse of Mk 8:27-33)  On the way Jesus asks them about who people think He is.  After receiving various answers, Jesus then asks the question above.  Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ.  Most, if not all, people reading this would not hesitate to concur with Peter: Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God, the Lord.  But is He Lord of all of our life?  Is He Lord when we are in the bedroom?  Is He Lord when we are on the internet?  Is He Lord when we are with friends?  Is He Lord when we engage in the one vice we allow ourselves?  And then, like Peter at the end of this passage, do we rebuke Jesus when He does not meet our expectations?  Let us never think or do anything to receive Jesus’ rebuke in response: “Get behind me, Satan.” (v. 33)