A Downtown Church
Some passages of Scripture are confusing. It can be a challenge to understand the context, to discern the meaning, or see the relevance to our lives today. The reading today can fall into that category (at least for me!) When confronted with a confusing or difficult passage of Scripture I am reminded that I do not read the Bible alone–it isn’t up to me alone to figure it out. That’s such a gift!
In the passages just before today’s reading Jesus does amazing things..The disciples question what all of this means.
Questions: A Guided Prayer Exercise
It can be comforting to read about the apostles in the gospels. Their stories take our lofty religious ideals and yank them down into the somewhat embarrassing ordinary.
r few questions in the gospels: what is your name? What do you want me to do for you? Who was this person’s neighbor?
I’m often astounded by the Pharisees and the disciples…although I shouldn’t be. If I’m honest, there are times when I can be as obstinate and dense as they were. In today’s reading, the Pharisees publicly challenge Jesus to perform an immediate miracle.
Mark Chapter 8 opens with Jesus showing compassion for the large number of persons listening to his teaching and wanting to ensure they have enough food to return home.
At first glance, the story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman strikes feelings of embarrassment and confusion in me. In the middle of the story, I find myself hoping that Jesus will miraculously resolve the situation after seemingly insulting the woman before him.
This first part of Mark chapter seven may take a few readings to begin to understand–at least it did for me. This first part of Mark chapter seven may take a few readings to begin to understand–at least it did for me. At first glance, it reads as if it may be a debate about ancient near east hygiene habits or maybe elderly parent care? If you, too, are left wondering what the conversation Jesus and the Pharisees are having is really about, you are in good company. The disciples are confused too.
Today is the Feast of the Annunciation. The Scriptures put before us a woman whose vocation was to bear the incarnate God in her body and deliver him to the world, and who took up this vocation with courage and faith.