Breaking the Word

GOSPEL  READING: MARK 1: 7-11

John’s life style and his proclamation are only bearing witness to the Messiah. The witness he bears has two folded message: one is that John is not the expected Messiah and the other is the Messiah is greater than he. John is not even worthy to stoop down to untie his shoes. The baptism which is given by John is also of lesser value because it is the baptism by water.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. But at the same time the recognition by the Father and the descend of the Spirit on him makes the Baptism complete and full. Baptism is complete only when there is the descend of the Spirit and the recognition by the Father. Baptism by the water is only an external sign of the internal transformation that takes place by the Father and the Spirit. 

GOSPEL  READING: John 1:43-51

In this passage the author is writing about the vocation of Philip and Nathanael. In the other gospels Nathanael is called Bartholomew, which means he is the son of Tholomew. His real name would have been Nathanael. The gospels speak about the calling of five disciples only. In the first three gospels the authors write about the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, John and Levi (Matthew) while here the author writes about the vocation of Andrew, John, Peter, Philip and Nathanael.  

These five had probably important roles to play in the ministry of the churches they were belonging to from which these gospels were written. The conversations between Philip and Nathanael, and Nathanael and Jesus reveal the expectation of the people regarding the messiah.