Breaking the Word

6^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 14^th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 8,11-13

Prophet of Judgment

The Pharisees demand a sign from heaven. Their blindness and boldness were enormous. They ask Jesus for a sign, not a miracle, why? Up to 8^th chapter Jesus has worked innumerable miracles and asking him for one more would gain them nothing. They didn’t want an earthly miracle, such as healing of a sick person or one more multiplication of loaves. This time they tempted him to prove His divine authority or authentication by giving them a sign from heaven. They wanted Him to do something spectacular, like bring fire or manna from heaven. This would prove that He was indeed sent from God.  Their desire for a sign from heaven was but another evidence of their unbelief, for faith does not ask for signs. True faith takes God at His Word and is satisfied with the inward witness of the Spirit. Jesus’ response is to sigh deeply in his spirit. He does not heal and work wonders for the purpose of proving who He is. He refuses to perform a sign and getting into the boat, He sailed eastward. This refusal on the part of Jesus could be interpreted as a sign of Jesus’ rejection of “this generation”. In this way, Mark portrays Jesus as a prophet announcing God’s judgement against this generation.

5^th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday – 12^th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 8,1-10

Echoing Christian Worship

The account of the multiplication of loaves and fish is the second incident of Jesus feeding the crowd in Mark’s Gospel. Nevertheless, this feeding is less abundant of the two. In the first feeding fewer loaves (5) and fish (2) are required to feed more people (5000) and more baskets are gathered after the feeding (12), but here more loaves (7) and fish (few) are needed to feed fewer people (4000) and lesser baskets are gathered (7). It is observed that this feeding account parallel the Eucharistic practice of the early church in worship beginning with the proclamation of the Word of God and teaching, followed by sharing and eating of the meal together. The passage reminds us then of the two-fold action of worship, namely that of giving thanks to God and being nourished by word and food. The first and foremost purpose of worship is literally to praise God for what God has done for us, i.e., thanksgiving celebration. Secondly the purpose of believers coming together is to be blessed with a richer understanding of God’s word and to be nourished by the bread of life.