Beggers Can’t Be Choosers: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

What a perfect picture; not only of Jesus’ compassion [pity] on this man with leprosy, but the picture of conversion and salvation as well.

The leper certainly knew his position, didn’t he? I mean as a leper, he was banished from the community. He was to have no contact with the outside world. But he was desperate! He had heard of this Jesus of Nazareth, who could heal the sick and cast out demons, but if he was to see Him and be healed himself he had to break the law. Maybe even being rebuked by Jesus Himself for doing so.

Likewise, our sins have banished us from God’s community and like this leper we need to decide whether or not we will run the risk of being ostracized by society to seek God. In this day and age of “political correctness” we certainly run that risk.

So, understanding his position, and the power Jesus has, he humbles himself as he comes begging and kneeling before the Lord. There was no pride within his heart, his unworthiness shown through as he utters the words, If you wish, you can make me clean.

Just as in the process of salvation, we see that the heart must be ready for the healing [cleansing] and we must come to Jesus ourselves, in humility and repentance. Jesus was in the area this man lived in, but the man came to Jesus in humility, realizing there was nothing he could do about his own condition. Even with his own effort to make that journey, there was no presumption that Jesus would heal him saying, If you wish…

If we seek after Jesus with the attitude of humility, His response will surely be I do choose. As He says in St. John’s gospel chapter six, verse thirty-seven, ….anyone who comes to me I will never drive away… This grace [pity] that is offered, is available to all. This Greek work translated for pity, is the word splanchnizomai  which describes a pity so great that one is moved to meet another’s need. Another wonderful picture of God’s grace! Though this gift of grace is offered to all, it must be received; for a gift that is given but not received is useless.

Now, here is where our response to the Savior is crucial. Will we obey what Jesus says [in Sacred Scripture, through Church teaching] or will we do what “we” think we should do? Let’s take a look at the leper’s actions after his healing; Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places…

We see Jesus give the command to this newly healed man and what does he do? He does the opposite thing! Now I’ve heard “preachers” [this term is being used loosely here] use this verse as some sort of, “He was so full of the Holy Spirit, He had to tell the whole world what Jesus had done for him!” The only problem with that theory is that it contradicts the Trinity! The Holy Spirit will never, ever  lead us to disobey what Jesus commands us to do! We are called to obey when we are cleansed by Him. Again St. John’s gospel in chapters fourteen and fifteen clearly state how important obedience is for us to “remain” in Him.

Now, I’m not judging the heart of this leper, only God can do that, but I must look at the fruit of his action to see what it produced. His disobedience hindered Jesus’ work. Look again, it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places… How many people in the other towns were effected by the [former] lepers disobedience? Maybe some of the other sick, lame, blind and/or demon possessed couldn’t make it to the deserted places. Maybe they were waiting for Jesus to come to their area. It’s sad to think about, but we must never forget that our actions always effect others! For their good or for their detriment. This is why obedience is so important to God. Not only does it rupture our relationship with Him, it ruptures our relationships with one another. Remember, “No man is an island.”

So this week let us remember our brother and sisters in “other towns” and how our actions will effect them. Will we have a positive or negative impact on their lives? In obedience to Christ we are to pray for others, ask forgiveness of others and to help them meet their needs. How are we at doing this? I’m sure we can all do better!

Amen.

Ain’t Talkin’ (Just Reflectin’) with video link (re-post)

Ain’t Talkin’

 I just had to add this awesome video to these lyrics. Enjoy!

Thank you Sonia!

One of my Christmas  presents was the new Bob Dylan cd, “Modern Times”. This is the last track on the cd. Take a read (or a listen) if you will, and see what it is that he ”Ain’t Talkin’ ” about. Here is my interpretation.

                           Ain’t Talkin’

                  Bob Dylan
As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden,
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine,                                           
I was passin’ by yon cool crystal fountain,
Someone hit me from behind.
 
Ain’t talkin’,just walkin 
Through this weary world of woe.  
Heart burnin’,still yearnin’ 
No one on earth would ever know.
 
They say prayer has the power to heal, 
so pray for me, mother.
In the human heart, an evil spirit will dwell. 
I am a-tryin’ to love my neighbor and do good unto others,
But oh mother things ain’t goin’ well.

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
I’ll burn that bridge before you can cross. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
There’ll be no mercy for you once you’ve lost.
 
Now I’m all worn down by weeping, 
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry.
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping, 
I’ll just slaughter’em where they lie.

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Through the world mysterious and vague. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Walkin’ through the cities of the plague.
 
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation, 
The whole wide world which people say is round. 
They will tear your mind away from contemplation, 
They will jump on your misfortune when you’re down.
 
Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Eatin’ hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Some day you’ll be glad to have me around.
 
They will crush you with wealth and power. 
Every waking moment you could crack. 
I’ll make the most of one last extra hour, 
I’ll avenge my father’s death when I step back.

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Hand me down my walkin’ cane. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Got to get you out of my miserable brain.
 
All my loyal and my much-loved companions 
They approve of me and share my code. 
I practice a faith that’s been long abandoned 
Ain’t no altars on this long and lonesome road

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
My mule is sick, my horse is blind. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Thinkin’ ’bout that gal I left behind.
 
Well, it’s bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin’, 
Fame and honor never seem to fade. 
The fire gone out but the light is never dyin’. 
Who says I can’t get heavenly aid’

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Carryin’ a dead man’s seal. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Walkin’ with a toothache in my heel.
 
The suffering is unending; 
Every nook and cranny has its tears. 
I’m not playing, I’m not pretending, 
I’m not nursing any superfluous fears.

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Walkin’ ever since the other night.
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
Walkin’ till I’m clean out of sight.
 
As I walked out in the mystic garden 
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn.
Excuse me, ma’am, I beg your pardon: 
There’s no one here, the gardener is gone.

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’ 
Up the road, around the bend. 
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’ 
In the last outback at the world’s end. 
 
   Copyright © 2006 Special Rider Music

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Gotta Get Away: Mark 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

As I pondered and prayed about what we could look at specifically in this section of scripture, I became overwhelmed with the options. We could talk about Jesus’ healing of Simon’s mother-in-law, and her service to Jesus and the others. What about the many healing’s of the townspeople and the exorcisms? But, no. I was led by the Spirit to delve into the richness of a sentence that seems to fade into the background as Jesus’ healing power and authority over demons are displayed.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Isn’t this sentence so easily overlooked? Yet, it’s meaning is profoundly important for us today.

First, what strikes me, is that Jesus didn’t just want quite; he wanted complete quite! It wasn’t enough for him to be alone, praying in the house he was in or even outside on the back porch, or in the farthest point in the yard. He went to a deserted place where there would be no chance for interruption while in communion with his Father. WOW. If only I could commit myself to spending that kind of time with God. How much better a person (husband, father, employee) I would be.

Secondly, I see Jesus went on pursuit. He didn’t “stay” he left and went off. This example, given by our Lord himself, really sheds more light on other statements found in Sacred Scripture, such as I Ch. 28:9 which states: If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will cast you off forever. David tells this to his son, Solomon as he prepares to build the Temple. Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, used similar words, seek and you shall find. Also in the book of Hebrews  we see we are rewarded for seeking God: But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (11:6).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly teaches us the importance of prayer in the life of a disciple. In paragraph 2725 we learn that not only is prayer a gift of grace, but a determined response on our part.

Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God. We pray as we live, because we live as we pray. If we do not want to act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ, neither can we pray habitually in his name. The “spiritual battle” of the Christian’s new life is inseparable from the battle of prayer.

We certainly see Jesus living this out; in this section of scripture we’ve looked at as well as at other times in his life.

So, this week, let us determine a more serious attitude toward prayer. But let us move slowly, lest we over whelm ourselves and become discouraged if we can’t “live up to” our newly set goal.

1. Find an “out of the way” place to pray.
2. Do you pray ten minutes a day? Try going fifteen to twenty minutes.

There are plenty of things going on in our lives and certainly our country and world that need serious prayer, so we should never run out of topics. Maybe if we can increase our prayer time, and be more determined in our attitude toward our Heavenly Father, we can indeed act habitually according to the Spirit of Christ. In other words, if we truly live out our faith, maybe things not just in our own lives but also in our culture, will change.

Amen.

Astonished and Amazed: Mark 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he 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. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

 

When was the last time you were astonished or amazed? Chances are, it wasn’t at church - was it?

Jesus went into the synagogue and taught. And the people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.Jesus can teach with the authority of God, for He is God. He didn’t interpret and/or speculate, He taught and expounded. Where might we find this authority today?

Well, since we have such an awesome God, He has provided this authority to the Church He founded.

Let us recall the “Great Commission” for a moment. “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:18-20.

First, note that Jesus confirms His authority and then proceeds to give His authority to the Apostles. We see this in  St. John’s gospel, too. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  Jn. 20:21. Isn’t it a great comfort to realize that within Christ’s Church, He has handed down His own authority through Apostolic succession? Directly from Jesus, to His Apostles and down to our Bishops today. Only God could do such an amazing work of preservation! So we can be assured that what the Church has held true for two thousand years has Jesus’ very own authority attached to it. Now, that is astonishing!

Secondly, notice that this authority is to make disciples through baptism and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Obedience to Jesus is essential to be a disciple of Christ. Without obedience to His commands, we fail in living out His call to , “Follow Me“. Thus, we bring a distorted gospel to the people around us, and His authority becomes suspect.

So this week, let us be fully obedient to the authority of the Church. In living out the gospel this way, we become the light of the world. A city on a hill, that all around us can see. This light, of course, is our good works [obedience] that give glory to your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14,16.

Amen.