Are you aware enough of Christ’s powerful presence in your life, especially when you suffer or face problems? - Daily Reflections January 14,2014

MEETING ST. MARK

 

Yesterday, we began to read from the Gospel according to St. Mark. Let us take a brief look at his Gospel in order to understand better the messages the Church will give us in the days to come.

       Mark was probably the cousin of the Apostle Barnabas. He was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry or His death and resurrection, but he wrote down what he heard from spectators like St. Peter. He wrote his Gospel for a community in Rome, where Emperor Nero ordered the persecution of many Christians, among them Sts. Peter and Paul. We can imagine Christians asking among themselves: Did we make the right decision to become Christians? What did we get out of it? Only suffering! Was Jesus really the Messiah and Son of God?

       Mark sat down, collected stories he had heard about Jesus, and put them together to answer their questions. As a title, he wrote: “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” He stressed that Jesus indeed is the awaited Savior and the Son of God as well. And that’s “Good News.” But he also selected from the teachings of Jesus, especially His words about the cross. He told his community that Jesus was honest with His followers. He did not promise them heaven on earth but that whoever decides to follow Him must “take up his cross.” Mark emphasized that they were following not a fake Messiah but the powerful Son of God.

       In today’s Gospel, Mark presents the exorcism scene in the synagogue. It convinced those who were present that Jesus was different from other teachers, that He had an authority even over evil spirits. But the best thing about Jesus is that He never uses His power to hurt people.

       Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God who came into this world not to dominate but to make God’s love visible. We, too, need to be reminded that Christ dwells among us and that He is more powerful than the evil forces around us. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you aware enough of Christ’s powerful presence in your life, especially when you suffer or face problems?

 

Lord, help me to show Your love as You showed Your Father’s love. Help me to follow Your example and use my strength to help others.