He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. Mark 1:27 There are many accounts in Mark’s Gospel where demons or unclean spirits obey Jesus. Mark 3:11 tells us that “whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God.’” Chapter 5 shows Jesus commanding the many demons called “Legion” out of the Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). As we travel through Mark in this year’s…
Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. – Mark 1:17-18 Has God ever come along and changed everything in your life? Maybe it was a decision that caused you to move away from your home to take a new job in a new city. Or perhaps a family member needed your help, and you had to rearrange your life…
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. – John 21:3 In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples after His Resurrection in a familiar way. He first called them when they were fishermen in this same place (see Luke 5:1-11). Sometimes the Bible names the Lake…
“The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, – 1 Kings 17:10 Our Scripture passages about the poor widows who gave generously cause me to reflect on what I would be willing to give away out of love of God and others. I know that I do not have a perfectly generous heart. What is it that I am stingy or selfish with? Is it the “safe” space…
A “masterclass” is a lesson given by an expert to knowledgeable students. Thank you, St. Mark, for blessing us with a masterclass in prayer in this Sunday’s Gospel! Here we have the story of Blind Bartimaeus, the poor beggar who heard Jesus passing by and called out for healing. He had a dialogue with Jesus—that’s prayer! If St. Mark taught us in person, here are some high points he might hit. Approach prayer with listening…
For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. – 1 Thessalonians 5:5 In our second reading this Sunday, St. Paul tells us that we who follow Christ are the “children of the light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). What does it look like for us to live as children of the light? Children are made in the image and likeness of their parents. They often look like their parents, bearing their…
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. Matthew 11:28-30 Rest, Little One, rest in Me. I will take care of you. I will take care of all things. I am your God and I…
The meaning of the parable in this Sunday’s Gospel reading is set out directly for us: “Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary” (Lk 18:1). How often do we become weary? Weary of prayer, weary of our jobs and responsibilities, weary of our problems and illnesses? The answer for me is too often. How many times have I found myself with heavy eyelids while sitting…
Money is a tool we are meant to use for good. Sometimes tools can become our masters, bossing us around. Jesus warns us: “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Lk 16:13). In Jesus’s time, having a master meant that you were a slave. We are called to be “slaves,” or…
Letting go of our own plans and ways and trusting in God’s plans and ways is a theme in today’s scripture readings. Detachment from things, preferences, and ideas can help us to fully embrace God’s will. When we have confidence in God’s will for us—when we know that He has our best interests in mind—we will feel more peace and happiness. Imagine that there’s a certain task that you want to accomplish. You’ve thought it…