Breaking the Word

2^nd Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 21^st January 2021 — Gospel: Mark 3,7-12

Foresight of Arrangements

Jesus’ impact upon people was unbelievable. As he continued his ministry by teaching the people and healing them of the spiritual, physical, and emotional maladies many flocked to him to regain their wholeness. Having sensed Jesus’ authority and power, they truly sought him, even to the point of crowding him, pushing forward to touch him and crushing in upon him. Even the evil powers were helpless and prostrated before him. However, Jesus had the foresight of the overcrowding that will endanger his ministry. Even earlier, since there were large crowds in the synagogues and in the cities, Jesus forced himself to withdraw to the Sea of Galilee (3,7). Now he is cautious about the upcoming crowds from many districts and so makes an alternative arrangement with his disciples. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him in order to just sit a short distance offshore to continue his ministry and rescue himself. Although Jesus wished to continue his ministry to people without being crushed, yet he was concerned about his safety first. He teaches that one should have foresight and precaution in handling the multitudes and safe guarding oneself while doing God’s ministry.

2^nd Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 20^th January 2021 — Gospel: Mark 3,1-6

Emotionally Integrated

Jesus knows the hearts of his opponents and understands their minds. He finds that they are not seeking to recognize his identity, rather, they are gathering evidence “so that they might accuse him” (3,2). By calling the man forward, Jesus focuses attention on the man’s needs and his own authority. Taking the lifeless hand, Jesus asks the experts whether it is permitted to do a good deed on the Sabbath or an evil one, to save life or destroy it. They said nothing. Their silence angered him and their insensitivity to human sorrow grieved him (3,4-5). Jesus could have had an emotional reaction to an event that seemed right. He was upset with the religious authorities because they closed their minds to Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love. They preferred to sanctity the Sabbath rule than to do a healing for the person. Instead, Jesus sanctifies the life of the man by asking him to stretch out his withered hand. The silence of hate from the religious leaders matches perfectly with Jesus’ creative action. Genuinely integrated Jesus puts his feelings at the service of his mission of salvation. Instead of controlling his feelings, he harmonizes them for sharing the divine love with the humanity.