Breaking the Word

Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle, Saturday – 25^th January 2022 — Gospel: Mark 16,15-18

Command to become a new creation

The command given by Jesus to his disciples, ‘to preach the Gospel to the whole creation’, is similar to God’s command to Adam and Eve when he blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1,28). The commands were similar, but those who received them were in quite different circumstances. The command of God to first parents was a sign of punishment that subdues them to the work of slavery. The command of Jesus is given to a people living after his resurrection in freedom and truth. His command is a Word for those who have listened to Jesus, believed in him, and are being transformed by his grace. Paul, who experienced the risen Lord, was transformed and commissioned with this salvific mission. He then proclaimed the gospel to the gentile believers promising baptism and salvation (16,16). According to him, baptism is necessary for salvation. In baptism the believer participates in Jesus’s resurrection and becomes a credible witness to him in the new creation.

3^rd Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 24^th January 2022 — Gospel: Mark 3,22-30

Rejecting Divine Power and Authority

This scene is taking place in the house of Peter, which Jesus calls “home” during his ministry. The narrative emphasizes the great popularity of Jesus among the people. However, those who should certainly recognize Jesus as the one sent by God misunderstand and oppose him. His relatives’ believe he is out of mind, and the scribes claim that he is possessed by a demonic power. Nevertheless the claim by scribes does not deny Jesus’ divine power and his authority to perform miracles. Notice they are the first and last of the opponents (1,22; 15,31), and most referred (21 times) among all the other groups of opponents (Pharisees, elders, chief priests, Herodians, Sadducees). With their dominant character they attack Jesus more directly in the whole gospel. This opposition demonstrates that in rejecting Jesus they rejected God. It proves clearly that no one can understand Jesus by simply observing his work from the outside. Only by following him and sharing in his life, can people begin to understand and accept the true source of his authority.