The Lectionary for this cycle (B) continues where it left off last Sunday, in Mark’s first chapter (vv. 29-39).  Jesus had just cured a demoniac in the synagogue, and now goes to Simon and Andrew’s house where He cures Simon’s mother-in-law from illness.  After dark, while still at the house, He heals and exorcises many who are brought to Him.  Despite the long day, Jesus gets up well before sunrise in order to go to a deserted place to pray.  As we should try to do, Jesus, despite the demands on Him, found a way to talk to His Father alone and without distraction.  Maybe for us it is during the wee hours of the morning.  Maybe it’s for a few minutes before we settle into bed.  Maybe it’s at morning or noon Mass, or in the last quarter of an hour during lunch break.  Maybe it’s listening to a rosary CD in the car.  As important as Jesus’ mission was (and there wasn’t, isn’t, and never will be, a more important charge), He realized the importance of getting away to pray.  Do we?  And if the time is cut short, don’t despair or get upset: Jesus was quickly found out and immediately went to nearby villages to continue preaching, “For this purpose have I come.” ( v. 38)

We continue in Mark chapter six (vv. 30-34) with the return of the apostles (sent in vv. 7-12 which we did not read two days ago because of the Feast of the Presentation).  After they report to Jesus “all they had done and taught” (v. 30), Jesus called for the group to get away from the crowds so they could rest and eat.  They tried to get away by boat but, word got out and, they were followed.  Jesus felt and thought the words above and “began to teach them many things.” (v.34)  What is our disposition when we encounter a lost soul — maybe someone, even a person very close to us — who has gone or is going down the wrong path?  Do we pity him and recognize him as a lost sheep who Jesus cares for deeply and who Jesus will seek after relentlessly (cf. Mt 18:12-14)?  We must be the Lord’s instruments in bringing that person back to the light.  A kind word, a gentle but firm rebuke, the example of our lives, and above all, prayer are all tools that are ours through the working of grace.  But we must first always remember: “Physican, heal thyself” (Lk 4:23), so that we are as open as possible to the abundant graces that are constantly poured out on us.

We are back on track today as we continue with Mark (6:14-29 — yesterday’s regularly scheduled reading [Jesus sending out the apostles by twos to preach, exorcise, anoint the sick, and cure — vv. 7-13] was skipped due to the feast day).  Here King Herod is musing about the true identity of Jesus as He gains popularity.  Herod is convinced Jesus is John the Baptist, who Herod had killed.  This provides Mark an opportunity to relay the story of John’s demise due to Herodias’s dance, Herod’s vow to give her anything she wanted, and Herodias’s mother’s request (upon her consulting with Herodias) that John be beheaded.  John was imprisoned because of his words (above) to the king.  He stood strong in the face of wrongdoing, clearly speaking the truth regardless of the consequences, which he undoubtedly knew could end up being death.  While it is unlikely we will face the possibility of death for standing up for the truth, the threat of persecution is very real today — and is on the rise — regardless of where one resides.  John the Baptist is an example for all generations of speaking the truth in love.  He wished that the Jewish king would confess, repent, and reform his life.  So we should do the same for the modern day Herods who profess faith but rule, legislate, and live far from it.

Today we turn to Luke (2:22-40) as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple forty days after His birth.  There Mary and Joseph meet Simeon who exalts the Babe and prophesies about Him and His mother.  We also learn of the prophetess Anna who praised God and spoke of the Child to all who would listen.  Let’s consider Anna.  We are told that “[s]he never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” (v. 37)  What an example for us today!  Not that most of us are in a position to do precisely what she did, but her attitude of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving should be emulated.  From the moment of waking until our head hits the pillow we should offer all of our thoughts, words, and deeds to the Lord while making little sacrifices along the way.  We should strive to be mindful of this always, so that we may be drawn closer to God and so that we will be a light to others to do the same.  Sanctify each day and each moment and the rewards will be eternal.

With the beginning of chapter six (Mark 6:1-6), we find Jesus back in the place where He grew up.  In hearing Him, and hearing of His works, the people took offense at Him, thus He could do little healing there due to their lack of faith.  They could not understand how this, to them, nondescript man, whose family they knew well, all of a sudden reveals such great wisdom and power.  We must be cautious not to fall into the same trap.  If someone we have known for a long time has a late conversion, or is otherwise drawn close to the Lord, and is outspoken about it or simply has a significant positive change of lifestyle, let us not fall into the traps of skepticism, resentment, or envy.  If it is a true conversion, reversion, or other work of the Holy Spirit, it will last; if not, it will fade away soon enough (remember Gamaliel in Acts 5:33-39).  Let us be joyous and supportive of those who come to the Lord late in the day (cf.  Mt 20:1-16), and use it as an opportunity to examine ourselves and how we too can find — and participate in — that same joy and zeal.

Straight off of performing an exorcism, Jesus is back in the boat, crossing back over the water (Mark 5:21-43).  Quickly He is approached by a synagogue official who asks Him to visit his dying daughter to cure her.  Jesus eventually does visit, raising the girl from the dead.  But on the way, a woman with hemorrhages approaches Jesus, touches His garment, and is cured.  Jesus calls her out and delivers the two sentences above.  We are told that the woman “suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had; yet she was not helped but only grew worse.” (v. 26)  But she has great faith that Jesus can heal her.  Sometimes it takes a long trial and hitting “rock bottom” before one is open enough to God’s grace to seek true healing.  If it is a physical cure that is desired, whether or not it occurs, surrendering to the Lord’s will completely will at least effect the inner healing and acceptance required (and maybe bodily restoration as well).  For emotional or psychological healing, the same holds.  God knows when we are ready to fully embrace His love, grace, and mercy.  If He allows difficulties it is only to put us in a place where He can work on us.  Growing in faith requires exercising that faith.  And when we are fully confident that by “touching Jesus” we will be healed, have no doubt that it will occur.  Then we will know personally that Jesus is saying the words above to us as well.

Today we pick up where we left off Saturday, staring a new chapter in Mark (5:1-20).  It is the story of the Gerasene demoniac, who, possessed by a “Legion” of demons, is exorcised, with the demons sent into a herd of pigs by Jesus per the evil spirits’ request.  This strikes fear in the people of the area, but the cured man wishes to follow Jesus.  That is when Jesus tells him the words above.  What wonderful advice for us today!  Are we willing to tell everyone we encounter the great things the Lord had done for us?  Such a powerful witness on behalf of Jesus is a wonderful way to evangelize.  By declaring how knowing the Lord has changed us for the better, we give testimony to His infinite love and mercy, and we encourage others to desire the peace and joy that we have.

This Sunday we again jump back to the first chapter of Mark (1:21-28 — continuing from last Sunday).  In this reading, Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum on a sabbath to teach.  Here the demons possessing a man confront Jesus, crying out His true identity as “the Holy One of God.”  Jesus teaching and His exorcism of the demons amazes those present.  It is said that Jesus “taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” (v. 27)  Later in the passage, this sentiment is repeated after Jesus expels the demons.  As God, Jesus could speak and command on His own authority.  We are fortunate in that we have the Church Christ established, and of which He is the head, as an authority when we teach or explain the Faith, and as a sure touchstone when we encounter teaching or claims about the Faith.  The fullness of revealed truth about God can be found in this “indefectibly holy” (Lumen Gentium, 39) institution in which Jesus promised to be with us always. (cf. Mt 28:20)

After a long day of teaching the multitudes, Jesus wanted to get away (Mk 4:35-41).  He and some disciples get into a boat and Jesus is fast asleep in no time.  So exhausted is He that even a violent storm doesn’t wake Him.  But His disciples, fearful for their lives, make sure to rouse Him.  Jesus calms the storm and then excoriates them.  Meanwhile, they are amazed at Jesus’ power.  We too should be amazed at Jesus’ power.  His power to heal, to forgive, to give grace.  If we give in to this power completely, and turn our lives over to Him, we will have no fear of perishing in the way that really matters — for eternity.  Jesus certainly cared about His disciples just as much as He does us.  But how does He answer the question above?  He answers with a question: “Do you not yet have faith?” (v. 40)  Jesus wants to be sure His followers are truly saved.  It is faith, working through love, that saves us. (cf. Gal 5:6)

Today, Jesus turns from the disciples to the crowds to relay more parables to them, this time on the Kingdom of God (Mk 4:26-34).  We find out that Jesus did not speak to the multitudes without parables, but explained them all to His disciples privately.  Here Jesus famously compares the Kingdom to a small mustard seed that grows into a large plant “so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” (v. 32)  Think of how Jesus initiated the Kingdom: He was smaller than a mustard seed in His mother’s womb.  Nine months later He was born to humble parents in a stable.  He lived a hidden life for thirty years before beginning His public ministry.  Few observing Jesus during this time would have marked Him for greatness.  Even His relatives and neighbors were surprised at His ministry (cf. Mk 6:2-6).  Yet He accomplished great things.  With the grace of God, even though we may consider ourselves ordinary and nondescript as a tiny seed, we too can accomplish great things for the Kingdom.  In any walk of life, or any circumstance, we can glorify the Lord.  Consider how many persons might find “shade” in your “branches” (or even make a “nest” there — cf. Mt 13:32 and Lk 13:19) through words and actions that always reflect Christian values.  Unattainable?  We do well to recall another instance when Jesus speaks of mustard seeds: “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” (Mt 17:20)