Wednesday: 4^th Week in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: 2Samuel 24:2.9-17: It was I who sinned, taking a census of the people. But these, this flock, what have they done.

Gospel: Mark 6:1-6: A prophet is despised in his own country.

The Rejection of Jesus’ Authority: Why Jesus is Rejected?

Jesus’ hometown was harsh with him. Most of his neighbours could never accept the fact that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. Unacceptance, unbelief and rumors about him were widespread among his own people; and their unbelief led them to do some terrible things.

·        Some in the city tried to kill him.

·        Some friends and neighbours considered him mad or insane (Mk 3:20-21; Lk 4:16-30).

·        His family was extremely embarrassed by his claims and the wild rumors surrounding hi (Mk3:31-32).

The most sever critics of man’s life and works are, of course, those who have always known him.

1.     Jesus was in his home town, Nazareth (v.1-2)

a.     He entered the synagogue

b.     He taught: the people were amazed

2.     Some questioned his source of authority (2-3)

a.     He lacked proper credentials and education

b.     He was from human and humble beginnings

3.     Some were offended by him: They thought of him only as one of their own (3-4): they knew only the human flesh of Jesus and not the divinity

4.     Some blocked God’s power (5)

5.     Some were gripped with unbelief-shockingly so

Thought: The basic problem with Jesus’ home flock was envy and jealousy. They became stiff-necked, giving themselves over to obstinate unbelief. Every believer is responsible and accountable for his or her faith in God. Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father (Hebrew 5:8).

Tuesday: 4^th Week in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: 2Samuel 18:9-10.14.24-25.30-19:3:  My son Absalom! Would I had died in your place.

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43: Little girl I tell you get up.

The Approaches that lay hold Jesus’ authority: How to approach Jesus

How can a person lay hold of Jesus and his power? This passage deals with the desperate and hopeless person; it shows how the desperate person can approach Jesus and secure his help in any situation.

1.     The crowds gathered around Jesus (v.21)

2.     Scene 1: A rulers desperate approach (22-26)

a.     A selfless attitude

b.     A humble attitude

c.      A pleading attitude3

d.     An extant and believing attitude

e.      The result: Jesus grants the desperate request

3.     Scene 2: A woman’s hopeless approach (25-34)

a.     A last resort attitude

b.     A shy, embarrassed, unworthy attitude

c.      An expectant, believing attitude

d.     A confessing attitude

i.                   The cost of service to Jesus

ii.                 The 3insensitivity of the disciples

iii.              The confession of the woman

iv.              The result: Jesus grants the hopeless request

4.     Scene 3: A ruler’s believing approach (35-43)

a.     Not a fearful, despairing attitude

i.                   Devastating circumstances

ii.                 The answer to the terrible circumstances: Jesus’ challenge

b.     Not a wailing, whining attitude

i.                   Social customs and influences: to express hopelessness

ii.                 The answer: Jesus’ comfort and assurances

c.      Not a sarcastic, sceptical attitude

d.     An obedient attitude: the parents follow Jesus despite the sarcasm

e.      Jesus grants the believer’s request

i.                   The power of Jesus

ii.                 The amazement of the family

iii.              The thoughtfulness of Jesus

Thought: It is the sense of unworthiness and hopelessness that touches the heart of Jesus. (Ps 34:18; 51:17)

Monday: 4^th Week in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: 2Samuel 15:13-14.30; 16:5-13: Let us fly or we shall never escape Absalom.

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20: Come out of that man, unclean spirit.

The Authority of Jesus to Banish Demons: Hope for the Most Wild and Mean

The Spirit of God controls people to varying degrees; evil also controls people to varying degrees. Some persons are extremely controlled by evil; others are just slightly controlled. The man in this passage is said to have been possessed by a legion that is hordes of demons. The man experienced a great deliverance by Jesus Christ.

Who is the agent or the author of evil spirit or who created the evil spirit? The misuse of the freedom and disobedience to the command of God and the will of God. The first parents disobeyed God’s command and misused the human freedom as a result sin and death came into the world where as Mother Mary and Jesus obeyed God’s will and brought eternal life and salvation to the humankind. The disobedient angels were also thrown down from the heaven.

Jesus rebuked the evil spirit: because of Satan’s influence, leading, cheating, tempting, and deceiving the man to take away from God and to influence him to disobey the commandments of God or will of God like Adam and Eve in the Genesis deceived by the serpent. Now the seed (Jesus) is crushing the head of evil spirit and its power over man. Moses talked about this real Prophet Jesus the Messiah who would lead the people of God in the first reading of 4^th Sunday-B. That is what John the Baptist said, “I am not a prophet, Elijah and Christ..But one who comes after me He is the Christ the Messiah.” Thus we need to listen to the voice of Jesus and obey his teaching and commands of loving God and loving neighbours. Paul is urging to live a holy life for God rather than living according to own will or plan or wish but to live according to God’s will and plan which can bring victory over evil spirit.

How can we love Jesus and obey or listen to his command? By four things:

i.                   Prayer

ii.                 Reading the Word of God and practice them in life

iii.              Sacrament of Reconciliation

iv.              The Eucharist and doing good works in life for others and for God.

1.     An eerie event: at night, on the lakeshore-among the tombs (cp.4:35) (v.1)

2.     Scene 1: A man hopelessly possessed-without Jesus (v.2-5)

a.     He had an evil spirit

b.     He lived among the tombs

c.      He was cut off from society

d.     He was uncontrollable, unrestrained, untamed, wild, mad, violent tempered

e.      He was naked, v.15

f.       He was always inflicting wounds upon himself

3.     Scene 2: A man desperately aroused by the Son of God (v.6-7)

a.     He worshipped Jesus

b.     He acknowledged the deity of Jesus

c.      He begged not to be tortured

4.     Scene 3: A man miraculously cleansed by the authority of Jesus (v.8-13)

a.     Jesus spoke the word of power

b.     Jesus showed the man’s great need

c.      Jesus showed the nature of evil spirits

i.                   Were subject to Christ

ii.                 Desired a body to indwell and influence

iii.              Were malicious and violent-destroyers

5.     Scene 4: A people callously rejected Jesus- by begging Him to leave their presence (v.14-17)

a.     A logical action: Ran to tell

b.     A logical investigation: came to Jesus

c.      A logical account: told of the healing and also of the pigs

d.     An illogical request: asked Jesus to leave

e.      A tragic end: he left

6.     Scene 5: A man deliberately commissioned by Jesus (v.18-20)

a.     He requested discipleship

b.     He was sent to be disciple at home

c.      He was faithful

d.     He was successful

Thought: Jesus Christ has the authority to cleanse man, no matter how mean and evil. Note the demons had just what they wanted. They had caused the people to reject Jesus, choosing the riches of the world rather than him (contrast the spirit of Moses, Heb 11:25-26).

knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God is not enough. A person has to believe in the power of Jesus Christ and love him and live a clean and pure heart.

One of the major purposes of Jesus in confronting evil spirits was to prove his Messiahship (Mt 8:28-34). He is the Messiah.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20: I will raise up a prophet and I will put my words into his mouth.

II Reading: 1Corinthians 7:32-35: An unmarried woman can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs: all she needs worry about is being holy.

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28: He taught them with authority.

Jesus’ Teaching and Its Impact: Launching a New Ministry (1:21-22)

Jesus is launching a new ministry in the very beginning with his authority which is very important for the believer as he goes forth serving his Lord.

1.     Jesus began with worship: Immediately-in the Synagogue (v.21)

2.     Jesus seized the opportunity to teach (v.21)

3.     Jesus amazed the crowd (v.22)

a.     His teaching (v.14-15)

b.     His authority

Jesus’ Power over Evil Spirits and Its Impact: Delivering the Most Enslaved (1:23-28)

People can be delivered from all the forces of evil by the power of Jesus. Jesus has the power to deliver man (Rom 8:31; 1Jn 4:4; Mt 8:28-34; 17:14-21; Lk 8:26-39)

1.     Picture 1: The need of the possessed man (v.23-24)

a.     He was in the synagogue: nobody helped him or cured him

b.     He raged and cried out, sensed and recoiled from purity

c.      He identified Jesus: The Son of God, the Holy One of God

2.     Picture 2: The Power of Jesus (v.25-26)

a.     Jesus rebuked the evil spirit: because of Satan’s influence, leading, cheating, tempting, and deceiving the man to take away from God and to influence him to disobey the commandments of God or will of God like Adam and Eve in the Genesis deceived by the serpent. Now the seed (Jesus) is crushing the head of evil spirit and its power over man. Moses talked about this real Prophet Jesus the Messiah who would lead the people of God in the first reading of today. That is what John the Baptist said, “I am not a prophet, Elijah and Christ..But one who comes after me He is the Christ the Messiah.” Thus we need to listen to the voice of Jesus and obey his teaching and commands of loving God and loving neighbours. Paul is urging to live a holy life for God rather than living according to own will or plan or wish but to live according to God’s will and plan which can bring victory over evil spirit.

How can we love Jesus and obey or listen to his command? By four things:

i.                   Prayer

ii.                 Reading the Word of God and practice them in life

iii.              Sacrament of Reconciliation

iv.              The Eucharist and doing good works in life for others and for God.

b.     The evil spirit obeyed

3.     Picture 3: The impact upon people (v.27-28)

a.     The people were amazed

b.     The people questioned: What power, what new revelation (teaching) is this?

c.      The people spread his fame

Thought: knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God is not enough. A person has to believe in the power of Jesus Christ and love him and live a clean and pure heart.

One of the major purposes of Jesus in confronting evil spirits was to prove his Messiahship (Mt 8:28-34). He is the Messiah.

 Saturday: 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: 2Samuel 12:1-7.10-17: I have sinned against the Lord.

Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41: Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.

The Authority of Jesus over Nature: Rest and Peace

What was the purpose of this experience? Why was a storm allowed to arise on the sea with Jesus in the boat? The answer is given in v.42 “Who is this?” Jesus proved again that he is the Messiah! Calming the storm would do three things.

1.     It would demonstrate who he is: the Sovereign Lord who has all power- even power over nature.

2.     It would strengthen the belief of his followers, belief in him as the Messiah and his personal care as their Savior.

3.     It would give to all generations a picture of His care and power to deliver through all the storms of life (trial and fearful experiences).

In this experience Jesus has demonstrated his wonderful care and power to deliver the believer through all the storms of life.

1.     Rest and peace are sought after a tiring day (v.35-36)

a.     At evening- Jesus was fatigued tired

b.     He was so fatigued, he went as he was-without any preparation

c.      Other ships went also

2.     Rest and peace can be experienced despite a great storm (v.37-38)

a.     Boat filled with water

b.     Jesus slept

3.     Rest and peace are a concern to Jesus

a.     The disciples feared lest they drown

b.     The power of Jesus to control the situation

4.     Rest and peace come through two sources

a.     Through faith

b.     Through Jesus, His power and His Word. Cp. v.39

Thought: The power of Jesus to control the sea and its storms, to control nature itself, demonstrates three facts:

i.                   Christ is the Son of God, the Sovereign Lord over all nature and life (Mt 8:26; Mk 1:1).

ii.                 Christ can calm any storm of life for us (Mt 28:18; Rom 1:4).

iii.              Christ can strengthen us to go through any trail (1Cor 10:13; 2Cor 1:3-4; 2:14; 2Tim 4:18; Ps 91:3).

Friday: 3^rd Week in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: 2Samuel 11:1-10.13-17: You have shown contempt for me taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34: A man throws seed on the land. While he sleeps the seed is growing: How, he does not know.

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Growth of Believers (Mk 4:26-29)

This parable describes how the seed goes about growing, and the process through which it passes. The seed is the gospel and the ground is the good soil, either the believer individually or the church collectively. Once the gospel has taken root in the heart of a believer, growth will take pace. The believer will grow spiritually. This is the greatest promise of God, the greatest assurance and confidence, the great hope and encouragement to every believer.

1.     The parable describes the kingdom (v.26)

2.     The seed is sown by a man (v.26)

3.     The growth is not of man (v.27)

4.     The growth is sure and constant, but gradual (v.28)

5.     The growth is consummated and harvested (v.29)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed: The Growth of God’s Kingdom (Mk 4:30-32)

Jesus is describing the growth and greatness of his kingdom, that is of Christianity. He shows how the Christianity begins as the smallest of seeds and grows into the greatest of movement.

The message of the parable is a powerful message to individual believers and congregations as well as to the world wide church. The seed of faith ever begins ever so small, but it grows into the greatest of bushes as it nourishes itself day by day. Mature (grown v.32) believers and congregation alike provide shelter for the people of a turbulent world.

1.     The parable describes the kingdom (Christianity) (v.30)

2.     The seed is sown (v.31)

a.     It is sown in the ground

b.     It is the smallest of all seeds

3.     The seed does grow (v.32)

a.     The reason: it is sown

b.     The result: it is larger than all the plant

4.     The birds do nest under its shade (v.32)

The Use of Parables by Jesus: Why Christ used Illustrations, (Mk 4:33-34)

The wisest of all teachers used illustrations, more specifically, he used parables (Mk 4:2- for more discussion). This passage gives three very practical reasons why Jesus used illustrations in his teaching (Mt 13:10-17 for a detailed discussions).

1.     To illustrate the Word (v.33)

2.     To teach step by step (v.33)

3.     To enforce the lesson in private (v.34)

Thought: The growth of a tree from a small seed is nothing compared to the growth of a person who truly comes to know Jesus Christ nor to the growth of a Church that is truly committed to the mission of Christ (Jn 12:24).