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Below is an overview of the Gospel According to MARK and an associated prayer

Reflections Ministry

St. Mark’s Gospel was the first to be written.  The focus of the gospel is on the ministry of Jesus.  There is no infancy narrative.  The gospel begins with the ministry of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus.  The humanity of Jesus can clearly be seen in this gospel.  As we reflect on the gospel of Mark, let us be open to the teachings of Jesus for our lives today.  Let us see in Jesus a Savior and a Brother, who is always there to help and guide us.  Let us focus on Jesus’ mission to relay to us the love of our Heavenly Father, and the invitation to repent and come into the kingdom of God.

Lord, send your Holy Spirit to open and enlighten our minds.  Let our reflection of this gospel bring us closer to you, and open our hearts and lives to the power of your word in Holy Scripture.  Keep us always aware of your great love for us.  Help us and guide us, as we open our lives more fully to your power and grace

Reflection 67 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/22/2008

This week we reflect on the gift of our redemption.  Jesus took the form of man, coming to earth in order to save all of mankind.  He revealed for us the very face of God.  In obedience he suffered and died so that we might be saved and reconciled to our Father in heaven.  He took our sins upon himself, thus conquering sin, and in rising from the dead he conquered death, so that we might have everlasting life in him.  As we reflect on the death of Jesus, our very salvation, let us examine our lives.  Do we live lives worthy of such a gift?  By our conduct do we add to the suffering of Jesus, or do we strive to lighten the load he carried?  Do we live lives of thanksgiving to God for his great love for us?  Indeed, we have received a marvelous gift in Jesus.  Let us pray that we are always mindful of all that we have in our Savior.  Let us always strive to live in the righteousness to which we are called as sons and daughters of our most gracious God.

Reflection 66 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/12/2008

As Jesus was beginning to enter into his passion and death he needed the consolation of knowing that his apostles were praying with him.  He also knew that the apostles themselves were going to come under spiritual pressure when he was arrested.  He knew that they needed the strength that only prayer could bring.  And yet, as he went back to check on them they were asleep.  In their weakness they did not stay awake with Jesus.  In their weakness they did not pray.  Jesus came to them three times and three times they were asleep.  Then at the time of Jesus’ arrest they fled just as Jesus had prophesied.  “Watch and pray” carries a message for us too.  Jesus had used the term throughout his ministry in speaking about the end times.  He calls us to watch and pray always so that we will be ready for the time we are called to judgment.  In the meantime we will always have trials in our lives, and to be able to effectively confront those trials we must be ever vigilant and ever prayerful.  God is always with us to help and guide us.  As we continue on this earthly journey let us always be aware of the strength and power we have in the Lord.

Reflection 65 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/9/2008

As Jesus comes closer to his passion and death he takes his disciples to the Garden Of Gethsemane.  Here he prays that the cup of suffering might pass, but he adds that it is not his will but the Father’s that is to be obeyed.  This is a lesson for all of us.  We must follow the example of Jesus and make the will of God the priority in our lives no matter the suffering or sorrow.  For it is only in following the will of the Father that we find true happiness.  It is only following the will of the Father that brings about the kingdom of God on earth, where peace and justice will ultimately reign.  We must believe that God will bring good out of all that is done in his will, just as he brought about our salvation through the suffering and death of Jesus.  Sometimes we may not understand, or we may have to undergo trial, suffering, and sorrow as we strive to do the will of God, but in the end all will be revealed; all will work to our benefit and for the glory of God.  Because of the obedience of Jesus we have been redeemed!  Let us praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Reflection 64 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 2/27/2008

After all that the apostles had been through with Jesus, after everything that they had witnessed, even after our Lord gave them the gift of his Body and Blood at the last supper, Jesus was telling them that their faith would be shaken.  They didn’t believe him, and Peter spoke for the group saying that whatever happened there was nothing which could shake their faith.  We know that they did all run away when Jesus was arrested, and that Peter, himself, denied Jesus not once but three times.  We can imagine how Peter and the other apostles felt; their shame and their sorrow.  We can imagine it because all of us have done the same thing through our sinfulness.  We have denied Christ and run from his way for us every time we have sinned.  And every time that we sin we feel the same shame and sorrow.  We also know that Jesus forgave the apostles, and he continues to forgive us.  His mercy is greater than any sin we could commit.  Again like the apostles, however, we must acknowledge our sinfulness before the Lord and seek his forgiveness.  Let us praise the Lord for his great mercy in our lives, which gives us the certain hope that one day we will live with him for all eternity.

Reflection 63 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 2/22/2008

Jesus had made many friends and enemies as he went about proclaiming the kingdom of heaven.  He touched many lives through his healing and preaching ministries.  Many people followed him wherever he went, but still, it was one of his closest friends who betrayed him.  Judas had been with Jesus from the beginning, hand picked by the Savior himself.  He had participated in the ministry of the Lord, sent out by Jesus to preach and to heal, and yet, here we learn that he is the one who will hand Jesus over to be put to death.  The story of the betrayal by one of those closest to the Lord reminds us that all people are imperfect.  All are capable of grave sin.  We have seen that in our own churches.  Some, in whom we have put our trust, have betrayed that trust.  We are reminded to be always focused on the Lord.  If we stay focused on the Lord we will never be disappointed.  It is when our focus is on others that we can become disillusioned.  It is important for us to remember always that even in the midst of sin and betrayal the power and the grace of God are evident.  Even out of the circumstances of betrayal and death the power of God shone through in the resurrection.

Reflection 62 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 2/15/2008

In this passage a woman uses a very expensive perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus.  Many of those with Jesus, including Judas the apostle, were quite upset that the perfume was seemingly wasted and wasn’t sold so that money could be given to the poor.  Jesus explained that it was a good thing that the woman was doing by anointing him in preparation for the time that he would be buried.  It was immediately after this event that Judas went to the Chief Priests and offered to hand Jesus over to them.  The event of the anointing of Jesus’ feet seemed a rather minor one, but many times it is a minor event which distracts us from effectively following the Lord.  Like Judas and the others who became very angry, we can sometimes become angry over some peripheral matter in our own community and lose focus of the bigger picture which is our relationship with Christ.  We must always guard against losing focus on Christ.  We must never allow anything or anyone interfere with that focus.  Let us pray for the grace to remain always focused on Jesus.  Let us pray for unity in our communities, and for the resolution of any problem which distracts from our relationship with the Lord.

Reflection 61 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 2/7/2008

As Jesus begins the final part of his journey to the cross, we read of the Jewish leaders’ decision to put him to death.  They were now completely closed to the message of Christ, the message of God’s love and healing for his children.  They had become so invested in consolidating their own power that they would now do anything to keep it.  They had been so completely seduced by the world that their eyes were closed to the goodness and mercy of the God they professed to serve.  They had become bitter and afraid.  Their hearts were cold.  Their souls were dead.  The wiles of the world are a temptation to all of us.  Any one of us can be seduced by power, money, or any of the many temptations of the worldly way.  We must be careful to always remain open to the way of the Lord.  We have been created for him, not the world.  We have been created to be truly happy in him alone.  If we succumb to the way of the world we will find only bitterness and fear.  Let us pray for the grace to reject the way of the world.  Let us pray that we remain faithful to the Lord always.  Let us seek our happiness in him alone.

Reflection 60 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 2/1/2008

All of us live our natural lives attuned to the signs of this world.  Through experience we have come to understand when rain might come, when tornadoes might hit, and even when we might become sick with the flu.  We are always aware of the signs that mark our lives.  Jesus teaches us that just as we have come to understand the signs of this world, we must learn and understand the signs of our spiritual lives.  He calls us to become more attuned to the spiritual side of our lives.  He teaches that when we really listen to and heed the plan of God for our lives, we will be better able to understand the ways of the Lord.  We will be better able to understand the plan of God for our world.  We know that we have been created in the image of God, and through the saving power of Jesus Christ, have been called to live with him in heaven for all eternity.  Our life on this earth is temporary, but our life with God in heaven is forever.  Therefore, we should heed the words of Christ, and be ever watchful, ever attuned to the signs of our God as he leads us and guides us from this world to the reward of eternal life in heaven.

Reflection 59 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 1/23/2008

Jesus paints a very stark picture of the constant battle of good and evil in the world.  He makes it plain that there will be many trials for all who believe in him.  The secular world in which we live constantly sets itself against the way of the Lord.  Those who believe in Jesus and live their beliefs are often subject to ridicule and misunderstanding.  We know from our own experience that many times families come into conflict because of Christian beliefs.  In many places around the world there is persecution for those who follow the way of the Lord.  Yet, Jesus reminds us to be steadfast.  He teaches that the Holy Spirit will be there in all of the struggles we face to lead, guide, and inspire us.  He encourages us with the knowledge that while there will certainly be difficulties in this life, we have been redeemed and have become the sons and daughters of our God, who offers eternal life to all who persevere.  Let us pray for the grace and strength to remain steadfast in our faith.  Let us rejoice in the gift of our salvation, won through the cross by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reflection 58 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 1/17/2008

The idea of the end times can be unsettling for us.  Like the apostles we would like to know what to look for in anticipating the end of the world.  If we had the comfort of knowing exactly what to look for, the uncertainty of the end times would not weigh so heavily upon us.  Jesus tells us, however, that it is not for us to know the exact day or hour.  That is for the Father alone to know.  Jesus also warns us that there will be many who say they have the answers.  Many will claim to come in the name of the Lord, but will actually be deceivers.  We must be careful to hear only the Lord in looking for answers.  In fact Jesus teaches that we can best prepare for the end times by living righteous lives every day.  If we are following the way of the Lord, and striving to be holy in his name, we will have no fear of the end whenever that might be.  Let us listen to the voice of the Lord.  Let us open our hearts to the consolation of the Lord in our uncertainty.  Let us strive to live holy lives, praising God in both word and action.

Reflection 57 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 1/4/2008

Our God calls each of us to give ourselves completely to him.  He asks us to trust him completely, and to rely on his love for us.  He tells us that it is only in this complete surrender to him that we will find true peace and happiness.  In this passage we see how difficult this true surrender can be.  Most of us would probably identify more with those who gave from their surplus.  As we examine our lives we may find that we only give from our surplus, whether it be surplus of money, time, talent,or service.  We may find that we are unable to take that final step of complete surrender.  We want to be in control.  Very few of us could identify with the widow, who gave all she had, “her whole livelihood.”  Let us examine our lives.  Let us see how much control we give over to God, and how much we try to cling to.  Let us pray for the grace and courage to allow the Lord into our hearts that we may be healed and changed, that we might come to understand that it is only in complete surrender to his will that we can be truly happy.

Reflection 56 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 12/26/2007

Those things which the world considers worthy of praise are often times in stark contrast to the way in which we are called to live our lives in Christ.  Those things which bring the accolades of others may be the very things we are called to forsake for the kingdom of God.  The scribes chose the way of the world over the way of the Lord on all too many occasions.  They flaunted their lives of privilege, many times hurting the very people they were supposed to serve.  They were caught up in the way of the world to the detriment of their own spiritual health, and for that Jesus said they would suffer.  We must learn from what Jesus said of the scribes.  We must always follow the way of the Lord.  We must never get so caught up in the way of the world that we forget the way Jesus is leading us.  By the grace of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit we can attain the wisdom and knowledge necessary to eschew the way of the world, always embracing the way of the Lord.  Jesus is our model, and he will always help us when we come to him in prayer.

Reflection 55 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 12/20/2007

It is so important for us to understand that it is what we do and how we live that prove our belief in the Lord.  We can offer sacrifice and make offerings, both of which are good, but Jesus reminds us that our actions will speak louder than anything else.  Our Lord is calling us to follow him by doing what he did in his life, by loving the Father with his whole being, and thereby, submitting his will to the will of the Father, and by loving his neighbor to the point of giving his life so that all would be reconciled to God.  Jesus told the scribe in this passage that in his understanding of the law he was close to the kingdom of God.  As we come to understand the call of Jesus to love God and neighbor we too will come to experience the kingdom of God even as we continue our journey on earth.  Each of us is called to be a part of building the kingdom on earth.  Let us strive to put our faith into action by loving God with our whole being, and by loving our neighbor in word and deed.

Reflection 54 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 12/12/2007

Jesus’ questioners were again testing him.  Again they cared little about the answer, but instead were trying to trap Jesus.  Jesus explained to them that their question showed a real lack of understanding, and made clear to them that the power of God would overcome every obstacle for those who believe in him.  Jesus also made clear that our God is God of the living, that he is with his people yesterday, today, and forever.  The Sadducees were so caught up in the minutia of the law that they failed to see the living God at work in their lives.  That can sometimes happen to us.  We get so caught up in the things that are minor to our goal of salvation, and fail to see the living God so powerfully present in our lives; guiding us, caring for us, loving us.  It is important for us to know our faith and the word of God in Holy Scripture, but that knowledge should bring us into closer relationship with God, not become a distraction to our experience of the living God who is always with us.  Let us pray that we are always aware of God’s presence in our lives.  Let us pray that we always live in his love, knowing his goodness and mercy all the days of our lives.

Reflection 53 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 12/5/2007

We will always have civil authority.  Civil authority is necessary for the growth, safety, and well being of society.  Of course there are good and bad civil authorities.  The Romans were occupiers of the Jews during the time of Jesus.  They ruled with fear and intimidation and were ruthless.  There are governments today which are just as ruthless.  There are governments who suppress the rights of their people, and rule by fear and intimidation.  While we cannot always be deeply involved in the governments of others, or even our own, Jesus makes clear that we are to do what we can to promote the general welfare of all of God’s children.  Sometimes that means we are called to pray for those who are living under tyrannical rule.  We are called to pray that good people are lifted up to leadership positions.  We are called to help those who are suffering to the best of our ability.  Also in our own society we are called to pray that good people are elected to leadership positions.  We are called to support those candidates who will govern with wisdom, whose policies will benefit all people.  We are called to exercise our right and responsibility to vote.  We are to be involved in protecting the rights of all people to the best of our ability.  God loves us.  He loves every person.  He wants only good for us.  Let us pray that the leaders of the world look not for their own profit, but to the welfare of all, so that every person has an opportunity to live in peace and security.

Reflection 52 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 11/28/2007

Those Elders who did not believe in Jesus knew exactly what Jesus meant in speaking this parable.  They knew that he was criticizing their faith and their stewardship of God’s people.  They knew that he was calling for change in the way the Elders were both living their lives, and pasturing the people.  Rather than take a good look at their own lives, they became angry with Jesus.  Rather than embracing the changes that Jesus was preaching, they were looking for a way to get him out of the picture.  They were looking for ways to kill the messenger.  There are times in our own lives when we may find ourselves straying from the way of the Lord..  There may be times when we are living a lifestyle far from the one to which we are called in Jesus.  We must always be willing to look at ourselves and our way of life, and be ready to accept change if we must to come closer to the Lord.  We must be ever attentive to the voice of the shepherds and others in the church who strive to direct and guide us.  Anger at those who are calling us out of the darkness into the light can only hurt us, and keep us from the love, peace, and joy which our good God provides those who follow him.

Reflection 51 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 11/25/2007

The Scribes and the Pharisees were continually trying to trap Jesus, and to prove to the people that Jesus was not someone in whom their belief should be placed.  This whole exchange, as well as many others between the authorities and Jesus, was not meant to learn anything, but to trip Jesus up.  The minds and the hearts of some of the Pharisees were closed, and there was nothing that Jesus could do or say to reach them.  There are many in our society today who fall into the same category.  They are interested only in attacking Christianity and discrediting the beliefs of those who follow Jesus.  Their hearts and minds are closed, and there is nothing that can be done to reach them at this time.  In the midst of this unbelief we are first called to persevere in our own faith.  We are called to continue to live our faith as an example for all.  When we strive to live our faith daily we open the hearts of those who are open to God’s gift of faith, and thwart the efforts of those who only wish to discredit it.  Finally, we must continue to pray that the love, goodness, and mercy of God will reach every heart.  Christ has changed the world.  He is its Savior and Redeemer.  The kingdom of God is at hand.  Let us praise the Lord always by the example of our lives.  Let us live confidently in the Truth of our faith.

Reflection 50 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 11/17/2007

Our most gracious God cares about us.  He loves us, and continually tells us in his word of Holy Scripture that he will hear us when we call out to him.  He tells us that he is concerned about all of our trials, sufferings, and needs, and he will always be with us to love, console, guide, and lead us.  In this passage Jesus calls us to believe that our God will always answer us when we come to him in faith filled prayer.  We must be aware, however, that the Lord answers our prayer in his perfect time and in his perfect way.  He knows us because he created us.  He knows the best way and the best answer for all of our wants and needs.  That is what we are called to believe.  We are called to rely on the love and wisdom of our God as he hears and answers our prayer.  Let us pray for a strong gift of faith in our Heavenly Father’s concern for our lives.  Let us pray that we be always aware of the ways in which our Lord answers our prayers, and that we be always thankful for the love and goodness with which our God continually blesses us.

Reflection 49 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 11/10/2007

The Pharisees had all but lost the true meaning of God’s temple.  They had placed onerous burdens on the people, burdens which they themselves failed to carry.  The idea of God’s house being a house of prayer for all people was being lost.  The drive to make a profit even in the house of God became a primary aspect of temple life.  During his life Jesus had seen the function of the temple change.  He had seen that love and reverence for God had become secondary to making a profit.  In his righteous anger our Lord railed against what the temple had become.  In his love and reverence for the Father he reminded the people what the temple was meant for.  It was meant as a house of prayer, a place to worship God, a place to come closer to the Creator.  We must never lose sight of our call to worship and praise the Lord.  Worldly concerns must never intrude on our call to be a prayerful people always coming closer to our Father, being in communion with him through Jesus Christ.  We are God’s people, a temple of praise to God built on the foundation of the apostles with Jesus as the capstone.  Let us be ever mindful of our place in the house of the Lord.

Reflection 48 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 10/31/2007

It was time for Jesus to enter Jerusalem on the mission for which he had been sent by the Father.  It was time for Jesus to enter into his passion and death that we might be saved.  Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem as a revered figure.  He was destined to leave it by a most ignominious death.  In his humanity Jesus must have been apprehensive about those things which he was aware would take place in the days to follow, yet he did not waver.  He was obedient to the Father in all things.  He trusted in God’s love and providence, knowing that the Father’s way was the perfect way.  He put his entire being into the Father’s hands, surrendering himself completely to the will of God.  As brothers and sisters of Christ, and as children of the Father, we are called to surrender to the will of God just as Jesus did.  We are called to rely totally on the love and providence of our most gracious God.  We must come to know, as Jesus knew, that the way of the Father is the perfect way for us.  Even when circumstances seem to conspire against us God will find a way.  He will strengthen us.  He will guide us.  We will prevail in the name of the Lord.  Let us pray for the grace and strength to be obedient to our God in all things.  Let us thank him constantly for his love and mercy which sustain us on our journey back to him.

Reflection 47 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 10/28/2007

Bartimaeus knew that he needed the help of Jesus in his life, and he was not about to let anything get in the way.  He would not let the fact that he was disabled get in the way.  He would not let the fact that he was not one of the types of people that others thought deserved the time of Jesus get in the way.  He would not let the fact that he was not as close as others get in the way.  He was going to make sure that Jesus was aware of his plight, and he was going to ask Jesus to heal his blindness.  All of us must use the example of Bartimaeus in our own lives and in our own relationships with our Lord.  We must never let our circumstances get in the way of our relationship with Jesus.  We must never allow others to dictate the terms of our relationship with Jesus.  Each of us is loved perfectly by our God.  Each of us is his beloved child.  He will always be there for each of us.  He will always be a caring Father who longs to heal and bestow his grace upon us.  Let us never allow anything to keep us from coming before the Lord with our needs and our desires.  Let us always know that we are loved and cared for by our most gracious God.

Reflection 46 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 10/20/2007

Jesus did not come into the world as a king.  He did not come into the world to judge the world.  Rather he came to offer his own life that every person might be reconciled to the Father through his sacrifice.  He was not concerned with justice.  He was concerned with mercy and love.  He loved us so much that he was willing to die for us even though we were sinners.  His love and obedience to the will of the Father won the victory we could not win for ourselves.  Jesus calls each of us to experience in our own lives the depth of his love for us.  He calls us to live in his love for us, and to share that love with all in our lives.  He calls each of us to have the heart of a servant.  We can only attain the true servant’s heart by loving others as Jesus loves us.  We can only attain the true servant’s heart by the grace of God, which gives us the strength to conform our lives to the life of Jesus.  Acquiring the true heart of a servant is a life long pursuit.  We must constantly die to ourselves that we might live more fully in Christ.  Let us worship Christ in awe and thanksgiving for the gift of our salvation.  Let us pray that we might become more and more like him everyday as we strive to be true servants of our God.

Reflection 45 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 10/12/2007

Our God is always calling us into a closer and deeper relationship with him.  He is always calling us to make our relationship with him the most important thing in our lives.  Like the young man in this passage, we can think that because we are good people, because we try hard to follow the laws of the Lord that we have done all that we need to do in nurturing our relationship with God.  However, the Lord calls us to examine our lives to see those things which prevent us from making a total commitment to him, and then to strive, with God’s help, to eliminate them from our lives.  The pull of earthly things can be subtle but strong.  Certainly the young man thought that he was doing all that he could in striving for righteousness, and yet left very sad because he knew that he would not be able to do all that was asked of him by Jesus.  Let us pray that we may never turn sadly away from the Lord, pulled away by the desire for earthly rewards.  Let us pray for the strength and the grace to see that true joy and peace come only in making God the main focus of our lives, and that in him alone we will find true happiness.

Reflection 44 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 10/3/2007

We know that as young children we depended completely on our parents for everything that we needed.  Those of us who have been blessed with children can understand the other side of the dependence equation.  In our love for our children we make sure that they have all that they need to thrive and grow.  We also know the overwhelming feeling of love that our parents had for us, and which we have for our children as we provide for their needs.  This is the relationship that Jesus is talking about in this passage.  He makes clear that our Father in heaven loves us unconditionally.  He always has our welfare in mind.  In the love of the Father we thrive and grow closer to him.  As we come to trust him more, living in the power of his love, we come to the point in our lives where we are like little children with our Father.  We depend on him completely because we know that everything that comes to us in the will of God comes from his love for us, and is given to us for our welfare.  We must always be aware that God is looking toward a future for us, a future which has us living with him in heaven for all eternity.

Reflection 43 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 9/29/2007

The Scribes and the Pharisees were always trying to test Jesus.  They were continually trying to trap him in order to limit his power, in order to limit his popularity with the people.  He was a threat to their authority, a threat to their base of power, a threat to the way of life in which they were so invested.  Sometimes in our own lives we try to limit the power of Jesus.  Sometimes when tough decisions must be made the ways of this world get in the way of involving Jesus.  Sometimes we are so invested in the lives that we lead that we are afraid of any change.  While we easily condemn the Scribes and Pharisees for their actions, we fail to see the same behavior in ourselves.  Jesus makes clear in this passage that we are called to a high standard of holiness, one which sometimes goes above and beyond the secular laws that guide us.  We must always look to Jesus when there are tough decisions to be made.  We must always look to Jesus for answers and for strength.  Jesus will always be there for us.  In him we will always find the way, and we must always remind ourselves that it is in following the way of Jesus that we will find true happiness and peace.

Reflection 42 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 9/20/2007

Jesus reminds us that we must always continue to nurture and strengthen our faith.  We must never allow our faith to become stagnant.  We have been given a wonderful gift; the wisdom and knowledge, through faith, to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus, to know of the love of our God for us, to know God’s plan of salvation through his only begotten Son, and to know that we have been created in the image and likeness of our God, created to live in this world, as well as to live for all eternity in heaven.  Jesus calls us to live in the power of this wonderful gift.  He calls us to strive to live holy lives in the knowledge of this gift of faith which has been given to us.  He also calls us to be an example of faith for all of our brothers and sisters, especially those whose faith is new, or whose faith may be weaker than ours.  In other words, with this marvelous gift comes a responsibility, a responsibility to grow, and to help others grow in the knowledge and wisdom of our God, a responsibility to be an example of God’s love to the world, a responsibility to make known, by our lives that the kingdom of God is right here and right now!

Reflection 41 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 9/12/2007

The apostles were concerned that someone other than the closest disciples of Jesus were driving out demons.  Jesus replied that there are many who live good and holy lives who are empowered to act in the name of the Lord.  He told his disciples not to prevent those who follow the way of God, and acknowledge Jesus from acting in his name.  There are times in our own lives when we fail to confirm the holy actions of others because they do not seem to be the sort of people who would normally act in the name of the Lord.  We sometimes feel as if we know those whom the Lord uses to teach and heal in his name.  Jesus reminds us that the Holy Spirit works through many and varied people.    The Holy Spirit continues to work through those who follow the ways of God, and acknowledge Jesus as Lord.  We should always be open to the power of God in our world.  We should always be open to the many ways and the many people that our God uses to minister to his people, and work to make known the kingdom of God on earth.

Reflection 40 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 9/9/2007

There is no one who is great except our God.  We, his children, are all his servants.  We live by his gracious love and mercy.  Without him we would cease to exist.  All of the gifts we possess, all the success we attain is because of the goodness of our God.  In this passage Jesus teaches that there can be no claim to greatness among his disciples.  Greatness must be defined in a different way for those who would follow the Lord.  The greatest must become the servant of all, as Jesus himself modeled for us.  We are called to always guard against self importance.  We must never claim superiority over others for any reason.  This can be a problem for all of us.  We may sometimes feel a sense of importance because of our strong faith in God, while others struggle to believe.  We are called to realize that our faith is a gift from God, a gift given to us so that we may serve others, and help them come into the knowledge of our God.  Let us pray to be always humble before the Lord.  Let us pray for the courage to be in service always to the Lord, who created and sustains us.

Reflection 39 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 8/31/2007

The disciples of Jesus had been given authority by Jesus over unclean spirits, and yet, in this passage we see that they were unable to effectively cure a young boy, who had been plagued since birth.  Jesus teaches all of us that belief in God is a key to understanding the healing that Jesus brings.  The father, beside himself with grief over the suffering of his son, tells Jesus that he is trying to believe, and asks Jesus to give him the strength to believe fully in the goodness of God.  Often when we are at our lowest point it is difficult for us to pull ourselves up and believe fully in the goodness and power of God.  Like the man in this passage, we are called to pray for strength and courage in our struggles.  We are called to have faith that the Lord wants what is best for us.  Finally, as Jesus explains to his disciples, the power of prayer is often the trigger for God’s healing touch.  Therefore, we must pray unceasingly for the consolation and mercy of the Lord, as we wait upon his healing touch in our lives.

Reflection 38 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 8/24/2007

We can only imagine the feelings of Peter, James, and John as Jesus was transfigured before them, as they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.  Mark tells us that they were terrified, but it is certain that they also experienced an indescribable high.  In fact Peter said to Jesus that it was good that they were there, and that they should build three tents so that they could stay on the mountain.  Jesus told Peter no.  He told his disciples that they would have to return to the mission for which they were all chosen.  When we experience spiritual highs in our own lives, we may find that we desire to remain in those places.  Jesus reminds us that we each have a mission on this earth.  He reminds us that while we are in this life there will continue to be both highs and lows.  He tells us that with his grace we will be able to cope with every situation.  He calls us to continue to serve him amidst both the highs and the lows, and reminds us that through his death and resurrection we will one day come to the perfect high point in our spiritual lives as we share with him the glory of eternal life.

Reflection 37 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 8/19/2007

The way that we measure success in our lives is a determining factor in our walk of faith.  The victory that Christ has won for us, namely, the gift of salvation and eternal life, and our status as adopted sons and daughters of God our Father, mandate that we look at success very differently than the world does.  In fact, Jesus tells us that we must give up our worldly selves, and put on the mind of Christ.  It is only in surrendering our lives to the Lord that we come to know the truth of the victory Christ won for us.  That does not mean that we should not strive to be all that we can be as we journey with God on this earth.  It means that the mark of success for which we strive must be compatible with the life that has been marked out for us by Christ.  Jesus must be the model for our lives.  By the world’s standards Jesus must have seemed less than successful, but, indeed, he modeled a life of perfect success.  Let us pray for the grace to pattern our own lives on the life of Jesus.  Let us pray for clarity in determining what true success is in our lives.

Reflection 36 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 8/5/2007

When Jesus revealed to the disciples that he would have to suffer and die, Peter spoke out, as most of us probably would, that the idea of Jesus dying did not seem possible.  Peter thought that it was a sign of friendship and loyalty to comfort Jesus, and to assure him that he certainly would not have to die.  He must have been shocked when Jesus rebuked him.  Yet Jesus knew the will of God, and as difficult as God’s plan for him was going to be, he was committed to following it.  He was single-minded in his purpose, and reminded Peter that he was here to do the will of God, and that the ways of God were different from the ways of the world.  The lesson for us as followers of Jesus is to be sure and understand that following our Lord often times requires us to eschew the ways that seem so logical to us by the world’s standards, and to be single-minded in following God’s will for our lives.  Let us pray for the discernment to know God’s will, and the wisdom to differentiate his ways from the ways of the world.

Reflection 35 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 7/29/2007

As Peter came to know Jesus in his walk of faith, he came to realize that Jesus was the Messiah, the Lord, the Son of God.  It was this realization that was to form the life of Peter.  This confession of faith was to be the foundation of all that he would do in building and guiding the Church.  His faith would grow as he was a witness to the transfiguration and the resurrection of Jesus.  It would grow as he received the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.  But this confession of Jesus as Lord would be the bedrock of his faith.  Confessing Jesus as the Son of God, the Lord of Lords, Our Savior and our King must be the foundation of our own faith.  Our faith must start with this confession of faith.  If our faith is built on anything less it will fail.  But if our faith is built on the confession of Jesus as Lord, our faith will have a solid foundation, a foundation upon which our faith can expand and grow.  So let us examine our minds to make sure that we are building our faith on the Kingship of Jesus.  Let us be sure that we are building our faith on the foundation of our Savior and Redeemer.  Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, Alleluia!

Reflection 34 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 7/17/2007

Jesus touches our lives and heals us in many different ways.  This passage from the Gospel of Mark teaches us that Jesus continues to be present in our lives, and that he continues to heal us in every way.  He teaches us that no one healing is like any other.  Sometimes his people are healed immediately, while other healings are accomplished in a more gradual way, and that while this particular miracle is a physical healing, our Lord heals our emotional and spiritual needs in the same various ways.  Many times our emotional and spiritual healing is gradual as we open our lives more fully to the power and love of the Lord.  We must always be aware that our Lord is active in our lives, and even as we struggle, he is there with his compassion and healing touch.  We must be aware that there are many ways in which our Lord can heal us, so we must always be open to him even when it may seem that nothing is being accomplished.  There is nothing that is impossible with God.  We must have faith even in the darkest hours of our lives that our God will find a way, and that he will bring to bear his love and goodness in our lives.

Reflection 33 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 7/10/2007

Being in the world disposes our minds to think in terms of the world and its ways.  It is sometimes difficult to clearly see the way that Jesus points out to us.  As Jesus warned the apostles to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, the apostles were thinking in the human terms of bread.  They did not understand the underlying point that Jesus was trying to make, namely, that they must forsake the ways of the world, and conduct their lives according to the way in which Jesus was leading them.  Jesus leads us along a path which is different from the way of the world.  He calls us to understand that there is a difference between the ways of God and the ways of the world.  He reminds us that as we follow him we must be able to discern that difference, and then by the grace and strength that he provides follow only the way of God.  Let us pray for the gift of discernment, that we might be able to more readily distinguish between the way of God and the way of the world.  Let us pray for the strength to forsake the way of the world and to always follow the way of God.

Reflection 32 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 7/4/2007

Our most gracious God is always present in our lives and in our world.  He is always with us, showering his grace upon us, making us aware of his mercy, and letting us know that we are loved.  The signs that our God is with us are infinite, and yet we are a weak people who always need to be reassured.  In this gospel passage the people who were following Jesus asked for a sign that he was from God.  Our Lord was exasperated, in his humanity, that the people had been with him this long, and still were not spiritually aware of who was in their midst.  He made clear that if they paid attention they would need no other sign.  We, too, must pay attention to the presence of the Lord in our lives.  We must see with our spiritual eyes all of the signs that our God continues to give us as he leads us on this journey.  We must come to know that our God is always with us.  We must always look at our own lives and our relationship with our God through the eyes of our faith.  Let us pray that our faith is always strong.  Let us pray that we are always aware of the Lord in our lives, and that we experience our God, open always to his grace, mercy, and love.

Reflection 31 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 6/28/2007

There is always an answer in Jesus.  No matter what the problem, no matter how difficult, no matter how seemingly impossible, there is always an answer with Jesus.  In this passage from Mark’s Gospel the disciples let Jesus know that no matter how much pity he has for the hunger of the crowd that there is no way to feed them all.  They were thinking in human terms, their thinking bound by the constraints of our humanity.  They were thinking in only a very limited way, and in their thinking they were inadvertently denying the power of Jesus in that situation.  That is something that we all do much too often.  When faced with a problem or a difficulty we think in terms of how we can handle the problem ourselves.  If we fail to find an answer we deem the problem impossible.  We must always remember that there is nothing impossible for God.  The answer may not always be what we wanted or conceived it to be, but God can always find a way.  Let us pray that we remain always strong in our faith, that we remember always that nothing is impossible with God, and that we never try to limit the power of God in our lives.

Reflection 30 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 6/20/2007

As Jesus preached, taught, and healed the people, it became harder and harder for him to escape notice.  Even when he made a concerted effort to get some time alone, it wasn’t long before the people found him, and again he was asked to minister to them, and in his compassion, Jesus would always help them.  Jesus would never turn us away either.  He is always there for us when we turn to him.  He is always there to guide and heal us.  He is always there to bring us into closer relationship with our God.  When we have been touched by our Lord our lives are changed, just as the lives of the people whom he healed in this gospel were changed.  He asked them to speak to no one, and yet, they could not help but proclaim him.  As we come closer to the Lord through the divine touch of Jesus, we, too, can do nothing but proclaim him.  We are compelled by his love and mercy to share with others the healing and the goodness that we have found.  Let us thank the Lord for his compassion and mercy towards us.  Let us thank him for being so powerfully present to us.  Let us proclaim always the love, the mercy, and the goodness of God to all in our lives.

Reflection 29 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 6/13/2007

Jesus certainly knows us very well.  He knows that, just as did many of the Jews in his own day, we like to pick and choose the laws that we follow.  Some of the traditions that we put so much stock in have nothing to do with following the way of the Lord.  They might make us feel as if we are on the right path, but Jesus makes clear that to actually be on the right path we must be scrupulous in following the commandments of God.  He also chides us, in his comments to the scribes and Pharisees, for diluting the laws of God.  We are so taken with some of the outward signs of our faith, while trying to make the actual laws of God conform more to society’s demands on us.  As Jesus talks with the people, we can get a real sense of the frustration he feels towards the hypocrisy he encounters.  Let us pray for the strength to follow the way of God.   Let us pray for the grace and courage to refrain from all hypocrisy, as we strive to live the holy lives to which we are called in the Lord.

Reflection 28 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 6/9/2007

It is during the storms of our lives when we feel the most alone and vulnerable.  Our lives can surely be likened to a boat in a storm, with the boat rocking and the waves swamping the boat.  It can, many times, seem that there is no way out.  That is how the apostles felt as they were caught in a storm at sea.  They came to the conclusion that they were surely going to die.  Then Jesus came to them walking on the water, and as soon as he entered the boat the storm subsided.  The presence of Jesus was all that it took to bring peace and calm to a stressful situation   The inclusion of Jesus in our own stressful situations can bring about the same changes.  Inviting Jesus into the storms of our lives can bring certain calm and peace.  When we invite him in Jesus will say to us, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”  Just his presence can bring a sense of relief to that which we face, that problem over which we seem to have no control.  When we turn control over to Jesus we are on our way to healing and resolution.  Jesus loves us.  He longs to help us.  Let us pray that we are more fully open to him, in both the good and the bad times of our lives.

Reflection 27 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 6/1/2007

The love and the goodness of the Lord are infinite.  His caring and compassion are without end.  The more we rely on him, the more we trust our lives to him, the more he acts with power in our lives.  In the miracle of the feeding of the thousands we are reminded that Jesus welcomes us into his divine life, as he teaches and guides us.  He nourishes our souls, and cares for our welfare as our Good Shepherd.  The more we share in his life, the more he invites to an even deeper relationship with him.  Just as in the recounting of the miracle, when it seems as if the people have nothing, Jesus satisfies them and there is still much left over.  Our Lord continues to call us to be mindful that it is in him alone that we find true satisfaction.  We can always trust our lord to care for us.  We can always trust the Lord to nourish us, both in the power of his word, and in the sacrament of his Body and Blood.  Let us turn to Jesus.  Let us trust in his care for us.  May we always be open to all of the ways in which Jesus continues to nourish us, both in body and soul.

Reflection 26 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 5/24/2007

The Lord calls each of us into service.  He calls each of us to proclaim the good news of the gospel, as well as to help others who are in need, looking after both their physical and spiritual needs.  In this scripture passage the Lord welcomes the apostles back after he had sent them in service to the neighboring towns.  He calls them to come and rest.  He calls them to be alone with God, so that they might be refreshed and renewed.  We are reminded that all of us need time to be alone with God.  We all need time to be alone so that we can pray, and so that we can be refreshed and renewed in the ministries to which we are called.  Jesus makes clear for us that we are most effective in serving him when we are renewed in him, when we find our strength in him.  In the quiet time we spend with our God we are able to better discern God’s will for our lives.  Let us never forget how important it is for us to spend quiet time with our God.  Let us be always eager to enter into his rest.

Reflection 25 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 5/16/2007

St. Paul tells us that the cross is folly to those who do not believe.  They just do not understand.  Herod is an example of someone who just does not understand.  He is interested in what John the Baptist has to say.  He even likes what John has to say.  Yet he just doesn’t get it.  He is so preoccupied with the opulence of his own life that he will never look at another way, especially in a way that eschews all that he believes in, a way which does not value wealth and position.  The way of the world will always be a temptation for us.  The pull of earthly ways will always be a factor as we try to value more highly those things of heaven.  As we read of Herod, we are called to learn that if we succumb to the temptations of the world we could fall into the same trap.  We could fail to see the will of God for our lives.  We could fail to remember that we are dependent on God.  Let us remain faithful to the gospel.  Let us pray for the strength to put aside any temptation that could keep us from coming closer to our God.

Reflection 24 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 5/9/2007

Herod had never felt good about arresting John the Baptist.  He often listened to John and was very taken with what he said.  Still, because he was trapped by the lifestyle that he led, he not only arrested John, but finally, had him beheaded.  We read in this passage that the decision to behead John the Baptist was one which would haunt Herod forever.  There are many times in our own lives that we make decisions which we really don’t want to make.  We may be trapped in a lifestyle that forces us to make decisions that are contrary to what we know to be the truth.  Those are the decisions that are likely to haunt us, and keep us from seeking the way of the Lord in our lives.  For us, as Christian men and women, our decisions must always be made in the light of the truth of our God.  Only those decisions can bring us peace.  Only decisions that are based on the will of God for our lives can bring true happiness.  Let us pray for the forgiveness of the Lord for any decision that we have made which goes against his truth.  Let us pray for the courage to follow always the way of the Lord in our lives.

Reflection 23 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 4/26/2007

As Jesus sends out the twelve apostles in his name we begin to get a glimpse of the ministry of the church which Jesus was in the process of forming.  His ministry was to encompass many people so that all could be served, so that all would come to know the love and goodness of the Lord.  Our world continues to grow.  There are so many in our families, in our communities, in our cities, and in our world who need the love and mercy of God in their lives.  We become the apostles sent out by Jesus to relieve the suffering, and to proclaim repentance and salvation.  We become the eyes, ears, hands, and heart of Jesus to all with whom we come in contact.  That is the mission of the church and therefore is our mission.  Let us pray that we discern our own place in the mission of Jesus in his church.  Let us pray for the grace and strength to follow the call of the Lord to reach out to all peoples, and to share the love and goodness of our God.

Reflection 22 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 4/19/2007

Often times it is the people to whom we are the closest who can let us down the most, especially when it comes to spiritual growth and changes that take place in our lives.  It is those people who really know us the best.  It is those people who already have us pigeonholed into the places they think we belong.  And so when we grow, and want to change the way others see us, it can be those closest to us who refuse to see us in a new light.  That is what happened to Jesus.  The people at the synagogue knew him as the carpenter’s son, as a boy who worked along side of them.  Now he was back in the power of the Holy Spirit, teaching in the synagogue and they could not bring themselves to see him in this new light.  The lesson for us in this passage is to understand that it is difficult for those who know us to change the way they see us.  We must be patient and not be deterred from the new course we have chosen.  By the same token we must make sure that we are not doing the same thing to others we know.  We are called to give others a chance to change in Jesus, just as we expect to be given that same chance.  Jesus continues to call us to growth and change in our lives.  Let us pray that we be always open to that call, both for ourselves and for others.

Reflection 21 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 4/9/2007

The synagogue official’s daughter was dead.  His servants had come to tell him that he need not impose on Jesus anymore.  There was nothing else to be done.  And yet, Jesus tells the official to continue to have faith, and Jesus continues on to his house.  He then raises the girl to the astonishment of everyone present.  Jesus made a way where there seemed to be no way.  As we continue to read and study Holy Scripture, and as we recall the life of Jesus in its pages, we are reminded again and again that there is nothing which is impossible for God.  It is when we can see no way out of the suffering or trials in our lives that we are called upon for more faith.  It is in the realm of impossibility that our Lord works most effectively in our lives.  When we totally surrender to the power of God in our lives, we open our hearts to him.  Let us receive strength in the recounting of Jesus raising of the official’s daughter.  Let us be ever mindful of the almighty power of God, and of his compassion for all of us.  Let us continue to rely always on the Lord.

Reflection 20 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 4/6/2007

In this passage the sick woman was at the end of her rope.  She had tried everything to restore her health.  She had spent everything that she had hoping to relieve her pain and find a cure.  Still, however, she did not give up.  She had faith that Jesus could cure her.  There were people all around Jesus, and he was in a hurry to get to the house of Jarius, so the best the woman could hope for was to touch his clothes.  Others were shouting for Jesus to lay his hands on them, but she had faith that just touching his clothes would be enough.  Her faith was certainly rewarded as she was healed.  There are many ways in which the Lord works in our lives.  There are no limits to what the Lord can do for us.  Sometimes, however, we try to limit the way the Lord works in our lives.  We are not open to Jesus’ healing touch, because we presume to know the ways in which Jesus works.  Let us pray for the grace to allow Jesus to touch and heal us in any way in which he desires to come to us.  Let us pray for the grace to refrain from putting limits on our Lord, for he is almighty, and there is nothing that is impossible for our God.

Reflection 19 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 4/2/2007

In this passage Jesus is overcome with pity for the man who was powerfully possessed.  The man was in such misery and pain that he was banished to live and fend for himself.  There was no way that the community could take care of the man.  Certainly we can understand the man’s overwhelming gratitude when Jesus cured him, and drove the demons from him.  We can understand the man’s desire to remain with Jesus.  There were many disciples who followed Jesus, yet in this case Jesus told the man that he should not follow him.  Instead Jesus told him to go back and be reconciled with his family, and witness to them all that the Lord had done.  This man was to be a living testament among the people of the awesome power and love of God.  There are many ways for us to serve the Lord.  Each of us will be called to serve in a different way.  Many of us are called, as was this man, to witness to God’s power and love among our family and friends.  Many are called to raise families in the Lord’s name for the glory of God’s kingdom.  There is no more important or noble a call, and we must take that call seriously.  Let us pray for the grace to be strong witnesses for the Lord in whatever capacity he calls us.  Let us pray that all people come to know the power and love of God in their lives.

Reflection 18 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/28/2007

Too often in the storms of our lives we forget that Jesus is with us.  We forget that he is always present, always helping us, always guiding us, always consoling us.  In this passage Jesus makes clear that if our faith in him is strong there will never be anything that happens in our lives which can take away the peace and joy which he provides.  We are reminded, however, that it is not always easy to call on that strong faith when there is turmoil in our lives.  Fear can very often get the upper hand.  The apostles had Jesus right there in the boat with them, yet they were terrified that they were going to perish.  Jesus makes clear, however, that there is nothing over which he does not have power, and that in him we have that same power.  Let us pray that our faith be always strong.  Let us pray that we are always able to rely on our faith, and that our faith will be strong enough to conquer any fear.  Let us always be aware that in Jesus there is no fear.  We have the power to conquer anything in our lives in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reflection 17 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/23/2007

At first glance this verse seems very harsh.  Jesus’ mission was to help the poor, to lift the downtrodden, and yet here Jesus says that more will be given to the person who already has more.  We are called to look at this saying of Jesus in the context in which it was spoken.  Jesus had just exhorted his followers to let the light of their faith shine so that the light would benefit all of God’s people.  By adding this last verse of admonition Jesus makes clear that if we follow him and heed his call to serve others, we will have all that we need to fulfill that call.  It is when we are in communion with the Lord and his will for our lives that we are open to all the grace and gifts that Jesus showers upon his children.  If we are not in communion with the Lord’s will for our lives we are not open to all that he has for us.  We are not open to the grace and gifts which the Lord continues to shower on us.  We lose the power that God’s grace has for our lives, because we are not attuned to his love and his call for us.  Let us stay always attuned to the love and grace of God.  Let us follow the will of God for our lives, knowing that the Lord will continue to provide all that we need to bring to fruition the kingdom of God on earth.

Reflection 16 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/19/2007

At first glance this verse seems very harsh.  Jesus’ mission was to help the poor, to lift the downtrodden, and yet here Jesus says that more will be given to the person who already has more.  We are called to look at this saying of Jesus in the context in which it was spoken.  Jesus had just exhorted his followers to let the light of their faith shine so that the light would benefit all of God’s people.  By adding this last verse of admonition Jesus makes clear that if we follow him and heed his call to serve others, we will have all that we need to fulfill that call.  It is when we are in communion with the Lord and his will for our lives that we are open to all the grace and gifts that Jesus showers upon his children.  If we are not in communion with the Lord’s will for our lives we are not open to all that he has for us.  We are not open to the grace and gifts which the Lord continues to shower on us.  We lose the power that God’s grace has for our lives, because we are not attuned to his love and his call for us.  Let us stay always attuned to the love and grace of God.  Let us follow the will of God for our lives, knowing that the Lord will continue to provide all that we need to bring to fruition the kingdom of God on earth.

Reflection 15 (Gospel of Mark) - Posted 3/13/2007

In the parable of the seed and the sower we are reminded that we must be always open to the way our Lord works in our lives.  We must be aware that he is constantly sowing the truth of the word in our hearts so that we might come closer to him.  He is always trying to brighten the path before us by the power of his word.  He also makes us aware that we must constantly be on guard as there are many ways in which we can fail to hear his word in our lives.  The parable enumerates all of the possible ways by which we can fail to hear the word of the Lord, and Jesus makes clear that the world will try to strangle and choke out the word of the Lord if we are not always careful.  We are called to stay constantly f