Continuing through Luke in the Sunday gospel readings, we come to the episode of the great draught of fish (Lk 5:1-11).  Jesus is once again hemmed in by all the people who wish to hear Him.  Being by the shore near Simon Peter’s boat, He climbs in and asks Peter to pull out a bit.  After this happens, Jesus continues to teach.   When done, Jesus asks Peter to go out to deeper water and lower the nets.  Peter says that they had been at it all night with no success but complies with Jesus’ request.  The catch is so great that they fill two boats to almost sinking.  Then Peter utters the words in the headline.  Jesus tells him and his partners (James and John) to not be afraid and that they are being enlisted to catch men.  Returning to shore they leave everything to follow Jesus.  Simon Peter’s words to Jesus after this miracle are understandable.  Thank God Jesus did not leave him.  Rather, this man was called to lead Christ’s Church.  Sure, he stumbled plenty along the way so we (and he) would know from Whom his power and authority came.  But it was to sinners Jesus entrusted His Church — then and now.  Unlike Peter, instead of pushing the Lord away when encountering His power versus our weakness, we should desire with all our hearts to have a closer relationship with Him.  Recall the Lord’s words to Paul: “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me” (2 Cor 12:9).  We are all sinners and we need to acknowledge it.  Jesus came to take away sins.  This does not mean we aren’t called to overcome iniquity in our lives (“How can we who died to sin yet live in it?” [Rom 6:2])  Sinful behavior in ourselves or in other Church members (even among the ordained or consecrated) is never acceptable.  It calls for prayer, fasting, sacrifice, action.  God’s grace is sufficient but we must be open to it.  Frequent recourse to the sacraments of Confession and Communion will make all the difference in the world.  “Depart from me, Lord”?  No.  Rather: “Come Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20)

After the interlude describing John the Baptist’s death, we now find out about the Apostles return (Mk 6: 30-34) from their being sent out two by two.  They report on their missions and then Jesus tells them to come away by boat to rest (above) and eat.  Large crowds were still pursuing them and, when they found out the group’s destination, they followed.   Jesus took pity on the vast assembly gathered at their destination and began to teach these lost sheep.  Proper rest and nutrition is important for body and soul.  Jesus realized that the Apostles had been very busy about their work building up the Kingdom, but now it was important for them to have downtime.  They would not be able to keep up such a pace and their ministry (and their selves) would be worse off for their being rundown.  A temptation in the excitement of a conversion, reversion, or a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is that we can feel that we are never doing enough in praying, fasting, and ministering to the Lord’s people.  But God knows we need rest.  He built in sleep cycles.  He asked us to honor an entire day of the week for rest.  Take advantage of these times of relaxation and reflection.  If we are always busy about many things (remember Martha in Lk 10:40) we might not hear the gentle whisper of the Lord (1 Kgs 19:12) regarding His will for us.  Not that there won’t be times when more is demanded of us, as with Jesus in this passage.  Then we ask for strength from the Holy Spirit to do God’s work well.  But it is important to have the balance that keeps us centered on the Lord so that we will do His will to the best of our ability per the gifts He has given us.

Mark (6:14-29) now uses flashback to tell the story of the murder of John the Baptist.  The passage begins with Herod, having heard of Jesus, believing Him to be John the Baptist raised from the dead.  Then the story of John’s last days begins.  Herod arrested John because his wife was upset with John for declaring their marriage unlawful as they were brother and sister-in-law.  Herodias (the wife) wants John dead; meanwhile Herod likes to hear him speak (see above).  Then one day Herod is so enamored of the dance of Herodias’s daughter that he grants her virtually anything she wants.  Consulting with her mother, the girl asks that John be killed.  Herod does not want to do it but, because of his public promise, John is beheaded immediately.  John’s body is taken away and buried by his disciples.  Merriam-Webster’s two definitions of “perplexed” follow: filled with uncertainty; full of difficulty.  Hearing the truth in a culture steeped in lies and falsehood, whether two thousand years ago, today, or anytime in between, certainly often leads to uncertainty and/or difficulty to the one hearing the challenge of Sacred Scripture when he matches it up with his own lifestyle and beliefs.  But the truth is a big draw so many do like to listen to it.  This is particularly important to remember when we are discouraged by the response of those to whom we are sharing the Good News.  Uncertainty about the truth claims or difficulty in understanding or accepting them can be often expected.  But the truth is attractive and can find a home in the most hardened heart.  So be comforted that in speaking the truth in love we are doing the Lord’s work.  Plant the seed and give the Holy Spirit the chance to work on those we have confronted (in words and more importantly in actions) with the Gospel.

Now Jesus is addressing just the twelve apostles (Mk 6:7-13).  He prepares to send them out by twos, telling them to take nothing but the clothes on their backs, sandals, and a walking stick.  He gives them power over unclean spirits.  He tells them to stay in just one house when they are in a certain place.  If rejected by the town, they are to leave (see above).  They do go out, preaching repentance, exorcising demons, and curing the sick through anointing.  How are we to take this directive (above) of the Lord today?  Certainly we are not to pass judgment on those who do not welcome us or who do not listen to us.  Even the apostles didn’t do that.  And we definitely do not stop praying for the conversion of those who reject the gospel message.  Again, this reading does not indicate any future disposition of the apostles toward these places that did not welcome them. Who knows?  They may have tried again later with success.  Or they may have been invited back after further consideration of the townsfolk.  Possibly Jesus Himself came to visit and made the difference.  Whatever the case, we don’t give up on anyone in this life as long as we have breath and they have breath.  And our prayers for them do not even stop then as they may be among the suffering in purgatory.  For our part we look to plant the seed and then call on the Holy Spirit to water it.  We are to be the instruments that strike the perfect note in order for God’s revelation to be heard clearly and to resonate deeply.  Introspection on where we might fall short in doing God’s work of evangelization is a much better use of our time than lamenting, or worse, looking askance at those who don’t embrace the Good News.  We are to pray often to the Father that “the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say” (Lk 12:12)

Mark 6 (vv. 1-6) begins with Jesus back in Nazareth.  He is preaching in the synagogue and those who know Him and His family personally marvel at His words and deeds and wonder from where He derived His wisdom and power.  Making explicit their familiarity with His mother and relatives, they take offense.  Jesus, reacting to this, says His piece (above) and is able to cure only a few there, all the while being amazed at their lack of faith.  How does this apply today?  Who are the prophets of our day?  The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this: “‘The holy People of God shares also in Christ’s prophetic office,’ above all in the supernatural sense of faith that belongs to the whole People, lay and clergy, when it ‘unfailingly adheres to this faith . . . once for all delivered to the saints,’ and when it deepens its understanding and becomes Christ’s witness in the midst of this world” (no. 785).  Through faith and Baptism we all are called to be prophets, i.e., witnesses to the Truth through a deep understanding of Jesus.  How much easier it is to witness to a thousand persons who one will never see us again versus one family member who needs to have the Gospel message presented to him and who knows us very well (our exuberance, our flaws, and our past).  Particularly, a radical conversion experience can be particularly off-putting to those who have known us for years.  It, too, can leave them saying, “Where did this man get all this?” (v. 2)  If this is anything lik e our experience, know that it was Jesus’ first.  Should the servant be any better than the Master? (cf. Mt 10:24, Jn 13:16)  If what happened to Jesus should befall us as well let this not dissuade us from an authentic witness — one, like Jesus’, that was lived out perfectly with no hint of pride, arrogance, anger, or dismissiveness.  Rather, let the manner of our lives be blameless, and our attitude be always one of charity, so that even the most hardened heart will desire to know the source of our joy.  If it’s a lack of faith that is the problem, we may be the conduits God wishes to use to increase that faith and open up the possibility of spiritual healing in those we love.

A miracle story within a miracle story is presented to us this day (Mk 5:21-43).  The plea of a synagogue official to come and cure his gravely ill daughter is interrupted on the way by a woman with a hemorrhage who just wishes to touch Jesus’ cloak in order to be cured of this affliction with which she has suffered for twelve years.  The woman is healed after Jesus calls her out for her faith.  Immediately after this it is reported the sick girl has died.  Jesus encourages them to have faith and they continue to the house.  Jesus tells the mourners the girl is simply asleep and He is ridiculed for it.  Kicking them out and bringing in the parents, Jesus tells the girl to arise and she does so to the astonishment of the onlookers.  Jesus asks them to keep this quiet and tells them to feed the girl.  If Jesus, who was widely known to be a great teacher and healer, was ridiculed (and still is today), why should we be surprised if we receive the same treatment for living our lives faithfully or sharing the Gospel forthrightly?  This can be a great trial for us, but also a tremendous way to grow in humility and trust.  If persecution for our faith stops at ridicule we get off easy.  That is not to say that we should go looking for trouble or purposely invite it for no reason; trouble seems to find its way to us without any assistance.  Rather, what we are called to do is to live radically the Good News, the Truth, of Jesus Christ.  Then, come what may, we will have peace.

The first half of Luke 5 (vv. 1-20) details the episode of Jesus’ encounter with the demoniac in Gerasene territory.  Jesus and His disciples just arrive there by boat when this possessed man rushes to meet them.  It is told that he cannot be contained and behaves as a madman.  As Jesus is exorcising the demons they confess to who He is and beg Him not to send them away.  Begging to be sent into a herd of swine, Jesus does so, and the pigs are driven to their deaths.  As the news spreads, townsfolk come out to meet Jesus.  They also see the demoniac in his right mind.  Frightened they ask Jesus to leave their place.  The exorcised man wishes to travel with Jesus but He tells him the words above.  The man spreads the news far and wide to the amazement of all.  Like the healed man, we should also proclaim widely the blessings we have received from the Lord.  There is no more effective witness than personal testimony conveyed with real love and enthusiasm.  This man does more than tell his family of this miracle, he spreads the word freely.  We certainly should consider all persons as part of our family since we all are created in the image and likeness of God.  In fact, it may be easier to witness to strangers than to our close family relations.  But how many families need to hear the Good News!  Dad not going to Mass?  Tell him what you get out of it!  Sis fallen away since college?  Invite her to join you on Sunday for Mass and brunch.  Cousin harboring anti-Catholic views?  Share your Faith in love and let him see it in action, including Mass if he’s open to it (plenty of Scripture there).  And even if the family situation is not so dramatic, it doesn’t hurt anyone to confirm them in their faith and see a fine example of vibrant Catholic living.  Let us not keep the gospel bottled up!

This gospel passage (Lk 4:21-30) starts with the last verse of last week’s reading in which Jesus declares, in the synagogue of His hometown, that an ancient prophecy (Is 61:1-2) is fulfilled in Him.  Those in the synagogue spoke highly of Him but then questioned His provenance: that He is the son of Joseph.  This prompts Jesus to say that these people desire Him to do there in Nazareth the wonderful works they have heard that He has done elsewhere.  Citing a couple of Old Testament examples of times when God only helped non-Israelites, He tells them that prophets are not accepted in their native places.  Furious, they lead Jesus out to the brow of a hill with the intention of killing Him, but He simply walks through the crowd and away from there.  We should never be furious when hearing the truth, even when it hurts, even when it is the last thing we want to hear.  Jesus’ words pierced the hearts of the people of His hometown so devastatingly that they desired to kill the messenger — a man many knew all their lives and whose mother still lived with them.  The gospel truth has done the same to countless multitudes down through the ages.  Likely, it has done so to each of us at some point in our lives.  Remember the words of the letter to the Hebrews: “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (4:12).  Is it any wonder that some of the most vile rejoinders come when sin is called out in individuals and society?  The surgical precision of God’s Word is not something that is comfortable but it is needed.  No one wants to go under the surgeon’s knife if it is unnecessary.  But we will undergo the operation — and endure tremendous pain, discomfort, and rehabilitation following it — if it means that our lives are saved.  Should we not be all the more open to the incisive Lord who desires to give us eternal life?  And should we not want to tell the world of this great Physician?  Sin has caused an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering throughout history.  No one should be ignorant of the Divine Healer and His desire to save every person in the power of truth (1 Tim 2:4).

On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (Lk 2:22-40), we are presented with the scene of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus encountering the holy man, Simeon, and also the long-widowed Anna.  The Holy Family comes to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord in the temple as the law requires.  The righteous Simeon, to whom it was revealed that he would see the Christ in his lifetime, comes in the Spirit to the temple that day.  When taking Jesus in his arms he begins with the words above, continuing on to say how the Child will enlighten the Gentiles and glorify the Jews.  He predicts that Jesus will be the rise and fall of many and that He will be the cause of great suffering for Mary.  We are told also of the prophetess Anna who lived in the temple in fasting and prayer; she tells everyone about the Babe.  After this, the Family returns home to Nazareth where we are told Jesus grows in strength, wisdom, and favor with God.  The first sounds that cross Simeon’s lips are words that we should be able to say every moment of our lives — because there will be a moment that is our last.  We, too, have encountered Christ, or at least have the opportunity to encounter Him, in His Word (divine revelation, Scripture and Tradition), and par excellence in the Eucharist.  Do we attend to both with the proper disposition, free of serious sin and with firm desire to commit not even the smallest offense against God and neighbor?  Frequent recourse to prayer and the sacraments of Confession and Eucharist are the means to open us up to amend our lives and live only for Christ.  As we invoke the Lord’s help in our desire to be free from sin and cooperate diligently with the graces He so willingly pours upon those who ask for them, we, like Simeon, can say to God “you may let your servant go in peace” whenever you will me to be with You.  Meanwhile, with Anna we will “[give] thanks to God and [speak] about the child to all” (v. 38) because the Good News will not be able to be contained within us.

Jesus continues with parables to the masses (Mk 4:26-34).  First, He tells of the man who scatters seed and finds that it grows (how?), yields fruit, and is eventually ready for harvest.  Second, He compares the Kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that, when fully grown, is a plant so large that birds nest in it.  He spoke in parables to the crowd, as they were able to understand (see above), but explained all privately to His disciples.  This approach of Jesus’ is good for us to imitate.  By understanding His audience, He was able to convey the Good News in a comprehensible and practical way.  Like all of His parables, the ones we heard about today were easy for Jesus’ hearers to relate to.  They were certainly familiar with farming and seeds even if they did not do such work themselves (life was much simpler back then).  So to we who have a deeper knowledge of the Faith should endeavor to make our witness accessible and relevant to those we wish to catechize and evangelize.  The simplest (although by no means the easiest) way to do this is by the example of our lives.  People will remember what we do much more readily than anything we say.  This is very practical: “Do unto others…” (The Golden Rule — Mt 7:12, Lk 6:31).  But when we do relay the Faith in words, we should emphasize personal witness: How has following a certain teaching helped us or someone we love or know?  Obscure theological concepts will win few over; the joyful Christian, on the other hand, will attract others and keep them coming back for more.  Live joyfully in Christ.