The synagogue

"Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." - Mark 1:21-22

Jesus was a Jew. So it was customary for him to be at the synagogue (a house of worship) on the sabbath. In fact, he would have gone to a synagogue (or someplace similar) every sabbath for his whole life - in other words, thousands of times. But today is different - and different for more than just those around him. He's teaching - not asking for others to come with, not giving names out to his new disciples, but actually teaching those around him about God and faith. And as Mark notes, he's teaching them as if he has authority - despite the fact that he's a carpenter's son, and has no official training or schooling in divinity.

But Jesus can teach from authority for a different reason - because his authority comes from God, not from other leaders of the Jewish faith. He's teaching in a way that connects directly to the hearts of his community. And, amazing as it sounds, he's teaching us - even though we're 2000 years in the future. His words still last, and have the power to guide and teach everyone, everyday.

Now that's an amazing teacher.

Four

"He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. " - Mark 1:19-20

I wonder how much trouble James and John got in with their Dad, Zebedee. It's a regular day for them, fixing their nets before heading back out. Jesus, now accompanied by Simon Peter and Andrew, walk by. Something about them caught Jesus's eye, and he asked for them to come with. Like Simon Peter and Andrew, they drop everything and go with him.

That leaves Zebedee, along with some of the hired help (i.e. the guys he had to pay) to finish the job. I know if I was working on something with my sons, and some guy walks by and asks them to join them, I'd be pretty upset. But I get the feeling that Zebedee isn't as upset as he would have been if it hadn't been Jesus. After all, his wife Salome shows up at the Crucifixion a few years later, to weep at Mary's side.

Perhaps Zebedee wasn't upset, but rather overjoyed about Jesus calling his sons - I'm sure he knew Jesus was special... but just how special was yet to come.

Drop everything!

"As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. " - Mark 1:16-17

I wish I could do this - especially with my kids. Ask them to do something and they drop everything to do it. But that's exactly what happened with Simon (soon Peter) and Andrew. Like most mornings, they got up and went to work - but on this day, something far from ordinary happens. The Son of God calls out to them to follow him. And they do - regardless of their other responsibilities that day, they drop everything and follow Jesus.

But the disciples are only human - and like humans, they always have doubts. In one case, Peter starts walking on water like Jesus, only to start sinking when his faith begins to waver. It's a good reminder for me that my faith - like the disciples - will ebb and flow, but that Jesus will always stay constant - no matter how strong (or weak) my faith is.

The start of a ministry

"After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
'This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.' " - Mark 1:14-15

This is the last we hear about John, until Jesus gets word of his execution. And what an end to someone who played such an important role in preparing the way - his disciples leave him to go follow Jesus, he's thrown into jail, and at the request of a teenage girl, he's beheaded.

If I were John, I might feel a little betrayed - I did everything God asked me to do (including living in the desert and eating bugs!!) - and yet, I meet with an end that shows little respect to the role I played in the coming of the Messiah. But, thanks to God, John is well aware of what waits him - and the world - and I'm sure he took comfort in that knowledge as he awaited his end.

While our tragedies in life may not be on the same level as John's, it's important for us to remember that what waits for us there is far beyond anything that we're leaving here. And if we truly believe that, then we can understand what motivated John, how his example can affect our lives, and help strengthen our faith in the darkest of times.

No storm can shake my inmost calm

While to that rock I'm clinging;

Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

Peter

"Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah". Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas" - which is translated Peter. " - John 1:40-42

Between now and Christ's death, Peter does a lot of growing in his faith - and is considered one of the very first Christians at the forefront of spreading the Good News. We follow him at various points during Jesus's ministry, trial and death. Strikingly, Peter is the one that eventually denies Jesus - even though here he follows Jesus with little information, except his brother telling him he found the Messiah.

It seems as if Jesus is waiting for him - as soon as he arrives, Jesus starts calling him Peter, and Peter immediately starts following Jesus as a close disciple and friend. It's a good example for us - when Jesus calls us, we should be prepared to answer and follow - even if we can't see the end.

And just like Peter, we're allowed to fall on the way.

About 4pm

"Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" - which translated means Teacher -, "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. " - John 1:38-39

So here's Jesus walking down the road, and all of a sudden, two guys start following him. But instead of asking them "why are you following me?", he instead asks them what they're looking for... a funny question to ask when you're being followed. That is, unless, Jesus was talking right to their spirits. See - their bodies were simply following - but their spirits knew and recognized something more - something that stirred them enough to follow someone they didn't know, and want to be with that person forever.

That's the power of Jesus - no words, no instructions, just simply passing these two men moved them to drop everything and start following him. It wont be the last time this happens either - but I'm sure Jesus already knew that.

I wonder if I would have done the same thing...

Said in the unsaid

"John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.' The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus." - John 1:35-37

We've entered into a relatively short period after Christmas and before Lent called Ordinary Time. The songs we sing, the readings we here are more about singular lessons and glimpses into Christ's life, rather than a part of a larger theme. However, there's nothing ordinary about Jesus. And it appears that not much has changed since the magi visited when he was a baby - people are still drawn to him instantly because of who he is - a truth not yet clear to these two disciples, but one that will get clearer as the days go on.

Often when I hear these Gospel readings in church, I think about the actions and reactions of the disciples as much as I think about their words. Jesus walks by and instantly John points him out and says 'Behold, the Lamb of God'. Granted, he's been talking about Jesus's coming for awhile, but now he makes it plain to his former followers - this guy is the one you've been waiting for! And his followers react immediately and start literally following him - without question, without hesitation, and they never look back.

Now that's something to think about.

Mary and Joseph have unexpected visitors

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way." - Matthew 2:10-12

As a parent, I can only imagine what was going through Joseph and Mary's minds -- I can remember that feeling of "now what", after bringing our first home from the hospital - so much preparation and excitement, and now that he's here - our lives have changed.

But for Mary and Joseph, not only are they having these feelings, but they ALSO have unexpected visitors once again - remember, in the previous days, shepherds are drawn from their work in the fields to pay similar homage to her baby (and lest we forget, visits by Gabriel and a very excited cousin). But now, visitors from far away are standing with them - drawn by the stars and directed by God - and all because of her baby. And they even brought presents!

Perhaps God's way of reminding them once again - this is no ordinary child. And these things will continue to happen when you're the parents of the child of God.

Herod meets the magi

"Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
'Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.'
After their audience with the king they set out.And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was." - Matthew 2:7-9

Herod *thinks* he's being sneaky - asking the magi to tell him where the Newborn King is so he can do him "homage" - but in reality, he wants to know where the child is so he can have him murdered. While Herod may have temporarily tricked the magi into believing he's a benevolent king, God later sends angels to make sure the magi don't fall for his tricks. God has a plan, and not even King Herod can change it.

There are times I feel like I can change God's plans for my life - that maybe I know better than He does. And I'm always reminded I should put my trust in Him when those plans fail, because through God all things are possible! Later on the magi do the same thing, and not only is the Christ child kept safe, but so are they - even though they defy the orders of a king!

Enter King Herod

"When King Herod heard this,he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.They said to him:
'In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" - Matthew 2:3-6


Herod's scared. Not only has a new King been born in his realm, he found out about it from three foreigners passing through his land. I can only imagine the fury Herod must have had. A new King? A new threat to his throne? And worst of all, it was prophesied centuries ago!

In some ways, I can understand Herod - if I hear about something second- or third-hand, I feel a bit slighted, and sometimes overreact. But thankfully the Good News that is Jesus' coming is something I can experience on my own, every day. I don't need to find out from someone else...


...it was written on my heart the day I belonged to God.

Welcoming the Magi

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Matthew 2:1-2

For many of us, the Christmas season is coming to a close - trees are perched next to garbage cans for collection, decorations are taken down, and Christmas lights are turned off. But for the Holy Family, they're still in awe and wonder about this child - a child who draws magi - three visitors from a far-off land - to visit the new baby Jesus and shower him with gifts. Three visitors drawn to them without the help of cellphones, email, tweets or Facebook.

King Herod will soon find out - three foreigners show up in Jerusalem asking for a new born king - and to those save a few shepherds and a young couple, no one else on earth is aware that God has come and that a savior is born. But this will be a different kind of King - one whose kingdom isn't here, but is being prepared for all of us.


But those in Jerusalem don't know that yet - they just found out he was born.

Inspired

"when you devote yourself to the divine reading ... seek the meaning of divine words which is hidden from most people" - Origen Adamantius

I was first introduced to the idea of Lectio Divina ("divine reading") though the Little Book series that I've always enjoyed reading during the Advent and Lent liturgical seasons of the Church. As a part of my continuing growth in Catholicism, I've started this blog dedicated to this practice, along with my own personal interpretations on the small passages from the week's Gospel readings. I am by no means an expert... but hopefully some of the things I write will speak to you just the same.


I encourage you to read each of these passages slowly, and let each word sink in. I often got in the habit of speeding over familiar passages - but I have found I hear these words much differently when I slow down and think. Hopefully you will too.

I'll try to keep this updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.... and more often if time permits. If you enjoy this, please leave comments on the posts and provide your perspective!