Today’s gospel reading centers on the idea of authority. The Pharisees want to know where Jesus is doing all the things he’s doing (healing the sick, absolving people’s sins, etc.) While Jesus could have easily answered them by saying, “Well, I’m God, so…” He doesn’t.
Hearing implies listening. A simple concept but a difficult application. There is so much white noise in and around us, but it’s not the soothing, white noise that helps us to relax and puts us to sleep.
Today’s gospel reminds me of the Flannery O’Connor quote: “I think most people come to the Church by means the Church does not allow.” The “allowed” way of getting into someone’s house is the front door, not by tearing open the roof! But these friends were so desperate to have their friend healed that they did something radical, something “not allowed”--they tore open the roof and lowered their friend down into the midst of the crowd, so he could see Jesus and be healed.
Sunday 6 December Second Sunday of Advent St. Nicholas Day Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert:… Continue reading Second Sunday of Advent Gospel Reflection with Emily Jaminet
Surveying the neglected, unsettled crowd cut Jesus to the core. Do you react with similar compassion when you encounter God’s people, those who struggle, flock to the latest spiritual trend or guru, and have more questions than answers? Do you actively engage with these individuals, or is the prospect too exhausting for you?
I hate crowds. I don’t hate the people in them, but I really don’t like to be in the midst of a lot of people. Today’s Gospel account includes a really large group of people who have come out to see Jesus. And these crowds bring to Jesus a lot of people in need of healing, and Jesus cures them. The results of these miracles cause the crowds to be amazed, and who can blame them?
