Reflection: Mark 6:53-56

Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 6:53-56

Today’s Gospel is only 3 verses long. The Gospel begins as Jesus and his disciples reach the other side of the lake. As they got out of the boat, Jesus was recognized as the teacher and healer about whom so many of the people had heard. As the word spread about Jesus preaching and healing, many people began to gather. They brought their family members and loved ones to Jesus for healing. And Mark says that everyone who was touched by Jesus that day was healed.

How would we react if Jesus appeared to us today? Would we seek Him out and ask Him to heal us? What is the healing that we would ask for? Or would we be skeptical and watch Jesus from a safe distance? What is it that might keep us from approaching Jesus and asking Him for what we desire: fear, a sense of unworthiness, skepticism, or shyness?

The reality is that Jesus is in our midst today and every day.  However, we may not see Him as the people in His day did. However, if we have eyes of faith, we will see and experience Jesus. And He will gift us with the grace we need for this day. However, we need to have open eyes and believing hearts. We also need to be on the lookout for Jesus. We need to expect Him to come to us. True, we do not know the day or the hour. However, if we are awake we will experience Jesus in some way today. Be alert! He is coming!

Reflection: Matthew 5:13-16

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:13-16

Today Jesus coins a phrase that we continue to use today. He tells his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.”  What does that phrase mean to you? What characteristics would you use to describe a person that you consider to be “the salt of the earth?” Down to earth? Practical? Sensible? Caring? Most likely all of us are “salt of the earth” in a variety of ways. However, Jesus also says that if we lose our “saltiness,” we also lose our tastiness and then we are not good for anything! Is that what we desire?

Jesus also tells his disciples (and us): “You are the light of the world.” This is a powerful and yet perhaps an intimidating statement. Light is essential in many ways. Plants cannot grow without light. Light enables us to see more clearly. If we do not have light, we stumble and struggle through life. And if we take Jesus’ words seriously, we need to share our light with everyone we encounter.

As yourself: Do I truly consider myself the “the light of the world?” If you answer yes, how do you share your light? What acts do you do that bring light to other people? What are the gifts of light you share with others: a smile, a kind act, noticing someone who needs some help or encouragement, reaching out to someone who is lonely, sitting with a friend who is ill or simply sharing a flower or fresh tomato from your garden? These are small acts but they are filled with light.

Now, let’s shift the focus. What are the arenas of your life where your light may be dim or perhaps even extinguished? What is the cause of the loss of light? Do you sense any glimmer of light beginning to shine in this arena of your life? How do you experience God in this situation?

Our light is not our creation. God chose to make us creatures of “light.” Our light is not ours; it is a share of God’s light. Nor is our light to be hoarded. Our light has been given to us to share with our family, friends, the strangers we meet, and our world. Today may you consciously and generously let your light shine! After all, our light comes from God, thus it truly is God’s light that is shining through us!

Our world is in desperate need of light. There is a tremendous amount of darkness, pain, tragedy, loneliness and sadness in our world. Today and every day, the world needs your light and my light! Together we can light up the world with God’s light and love!

Reflection: Mark 6:30-34

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – Mark 6:30-34

Today the disciples gathered around Jesus and reported on the preaching and teaching they had done in the past days.  They were very excited and pleased.  However, they also were tired and hungry.  They had been surrounded by people for days.  Jesus suggested that they go away from the crowds of people for a while.  

They all got into a boat and Jesus took them off to a deserted place.  The disciples believed that they would have some peace and quiet.  They also thought they would have time to talk with Jesus about their experiences. 

However, the people saw Jesus and the disciples leaving and they hurried after them to the place where Jesus was going.  Imagine the dismay Jesus and his disciples must have experienced when they saw the people who were waiting for Jesus.  Mark tells us, however, that Jesus was filled with pity and concern for the people.  Jesus recognized that the people were like “sheep without a shepherd.”  They were hungry and yearned to hear Jesus teach and preach.  They needed the spiritual nourishment that only Jesus could give them.  Jesus recognized their deep need and longing and sat down and began teaching.

At times, we also are like sheep without a shepherd.  At these times, it may be helpful to ask ourselves: For what am I hungry?  For what am I yearning? Do I recognize this hunger and thirst in others or do I stay focused on myself?

We are called to be like Jesus.  We are called to nurture the people in our lives, especially the lost, the forgotten, or the unseen.  Who would appreciate 5-10 minutes of your time today?  It doesn’t have to be intense conversation.  It often is a great gift to notice another.  What a simple and wondrous gift to give and to receive!  

Reflection: Mark 6:14-29

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time – Mark 6:14-29

Today’s Gospel focuses on the tale of John the Baptist, Herod, and Herod’s illegitimate wife, Herodias.  John had criticized both of them publicly for having an illicit union.  Naturally, Herod and Herodias were angry with John and his censure.  Who did John think he was?  Herodias was so angry with John that she wanted to have him killed.  However, Herod believed that John was a holy man and enjoyed listening to John preach. Thus, Herod refused to have John arrested.

On the occasion of his birthday, Herodias gave a grand banquet for Herod. However, Herodias had another agenda: she had devised a scheme to get her way.  During the banquet, Herod’s daughter came and danced for Herod and his guests.  Herod was extremely very pleased with his daughter and wanted to thank her.  He told his daughter that she could ask him for anything and he would give it to her.  When his daughter consulted with her mother, Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist served on a platter.  Her daughter did so.

Herod was in a quandary.  He had told his daughter publicly that he would give her anything she desired, but he had great respect for John.  How could he say no to his daughter’s request?  Eventually, Herod gave in and did as his daughter had asked and had John the Baptist beheaded.

John is a wonderful model and guide for us.  He spoke out in the face of injustice.  John did not pander to royalty or wealth.  John put his life on the line for what he believed.  Do we stand up for what we believe, especially if our opinions or thoughts deviate from the norm, or do we keep silent?  If we are asked directly, do we fudge on our response?   Do we simply avoid the question?

I assume that most of us do not like to say or do the difficult thing.  If we consider ourselves followers of Jesus, however, it may require that we to speak the truth we believe, even when it is not the popular opinion. Today may we ask Jesus for the courage to speak and act on our beliefs, even if it may upset someone.  Today may we ask John to share his courage, honesty and directness with us.

Reflection: Luke 2:22-40

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord - Luke 2:22-40

Today Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem to present Jesus in the Temple. It was customary and the law that within 40 days after the birth of the firstborn son, the parents were to take the child to the Temple in Jerusalem and present him to the Lord. As soon as Mary was able to travel, she and Joseph set out for Jerusalem as the law required. It was a long journey for them, yet they wanted their newborn son to receive this sacred rite of purification.

A man named Simeon was in the temple the day that Mary, Joseph and Jesus arrived. For many years Simeon had spent much of his time in the Temple waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” When Simeon saw Mary, Joseph and the baby, he recognized Jesus as the One he had been waiting for! Simeon immediately went to them and took the baby, Jesus, into His arms. Simeon loudly praised God and gave thanks that he was blessed to see and hold “the Christ of the Lord” in his arms before he died. Simeon also prophesied that this tiny baby was destined for greatness.

On that day, Anna the prophetess also was in the temple.  When Anna saw Mary, Joseph and Jesus she also came to them and prophesied that this tiny baby would bring about the redemption of Jerusalem.  I wonder how the people in the Temple reacted to this prophecy? Did they believe what Anna and Simeon were saying? Or were they skeptical and non-believers?

Imagine yourself in this scene. How would you react to these happenings? Would you be a believer or would you be a skeptic? At various time in our history, we all have heard prophecies of happenings that would occur in the near future. And most often, we wait and wait. And typically, they do not occur. However, the time will come when the prophecy will be fulfilled.

How would life be different for us, if we lived each day as if it were our last day? How would you spend your day? Who would you spend your time with if today were the last day? Would you go to church? Or spend some time with God in another way?

Today could be our last day. May we live this day fully and with thanksgiving and awareness!

Reflection: Mark 6:1-6

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time - 

Mark 6:1-6

This Gospel reading begins as Jesus and His disciples return home, to his native place. On the Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue and He began to teach. All who listened to Jesus were astonished. They were taken aback at the power of His teaching as well as the power of His presence. This was Jesus, a man they knew very well. He was a man who had grown up in their midst.

How did Jesus become so knowledgeable and such a powerful speaker?  He was the son of a carpenter, not the son of a rabbi.  Many of the people in his hometown discounted Jesus and His message.  They refused to listen to Him.  After all, who did Jesus think He was to preach to the people who had known Him from birth?

Jesus did not get angry.  Rather, Jesus replied to their comments by saying that typically a prophet is not honored by the people who have known him from birth.  Jesus realized that He was too familiar to the people who had known him as a child. They only saw in Him what they wanted to see.  Thus Jesus was unable to perform any great deeds there as they did not have faith in Him.

It can be easy to discount the people whom we know the best.  They are so familiar to us that we simply may take them for granted.  Take a moment and think about the people in your life: what are their gifts?  How do they gift you with their love and care?  Do you truly appreciate them?  Do you appreciate their gifts and talents?  Do you let them know how important they are to you?

Today make time to give thanks for the many people who love and care about you!  In some small way, let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life!