Parishioner's Gospel reflection
Jesus teaches
26 September 2021: 26th Sunday of the Year ( Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Kim Insley
Mark 9: 38-48
Two years ago, I wrote about Luke’s gospel for 26th Sunday (Year C) of the year, commenting that I’d written about Matthew’s gospel for the same Sunday previously (year A). So, I’ve made the hat trick, with Mark’s gospel for Year B!
This gospel has two elements to it: the first part looks at exorcism (my bible entitles it “Another Exorcist”) and the second part is about temptation. So let’s look at the first part, verses 38 to 41 first!
The disciples are upset that someone else is achieving a miracle in Jesus’ name without being a ‘follower’. This is such a reflection of our human nature when we feel we are being left out. As a teacher, I believe that my learners should be able to achieve more than me, especially if I’ve done my work well, but recently I experienced a little twinge of jealously when I heard about a former pupil of mine who has achieved her Doctorate. So, I can empathise a little with the disciples at the beginning of this section. Then I read Jesus’ response, “You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (v 39, Your Sunday Missal, Redemptorist publications). And whereas my feelings may be human, the response we should feel is divine. I must be pleased for my former pupil (perhaps I had a small part in her achievements?) and Jesus is clear that even those who do not follow Him but are achieving success in His name are good. I am reminded therefore of the value of other religions and faiths who may not profess a believe in Jesus, or even one God, but who do good.
The second element is where Jesus goes on to expand on the idea of people who challenge “these little one who have faith” by telling us that these challengers will not be looked on favourably. He argues with reference to Isaiah 66 v24 saying in verse 48 that these people will be “thrown into hell where the worm does not die nor their fire go out.” The text is so powerful that we are told to cut off a hand that offends, or tear out an eye that might cause us to sin. In reflecting on this, I was reminded of Fr Victor’s homily on 24th Sunday (8.30am Mass) when he spoke of the importance of speaking out, as well as of actions. Faith is clearly part of Mark’s dialogue at this time and whilst actions speak louder than words (as seen here in this gospel) what we say is also important.
I noticed in my missal that verses 44 and 46 were omitted, so I went to my bible to find them. They are actually missing there too and on further research, it appears that verses 44 and 46 are repeats of verse 48 (quoted above).
So, Mark feels it important to emphasise that we must be careful otherwise we will go to hell.
Please God, we all work hard to avoid this!
*********************************
3rd October 2021: 27th Sunday of the year (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
Mark 10:2-16
Once again the pharisees tried to test our Lord!
They thought that they could trap Him, of this they felt assured.
They asked Him was it lawful for a man to get divorced?
Jesus asked then ‘what said Moses, should ever be enforced?’
Apparently Moses did pronounce that divorces were allowed,
But Jesus said the reason, was because they were so proud!
Unteachable then those people so Moses set that law.
But God He did not wish this, a rule we now deplore.
For from the world’s beginning a woman and a man
were made to be one body, unified in God’s plan.
Since God he had united then no one must divide.
This truth it is so spoken, and must not be decried.
A man or yes a woman, could not again be wed f
or adulterers this would make them, that’s what Christ has said.
Then He saw the children the disciples had turned away.
“Let them come to see Me, allow them to have their say.
For heaven is their Kingdom, and I tell you this today,
For anyone else to enter, embrace the kingdom like a child.”
He loved the little children and blessed them as he smiled.
Unless we be like children, being honest in our lives,
with no devious selfish motives, in any shape or guise,
heaven will not accept us, only truth leads to reward.
Help us in our quest please, to reach the Kingdom of our Lord. Cjs.
Jesus was adamant about the sanctity of marriage. Love and commitment is an action not a feeling, yet there are times when one spouse has totally abandoned their vows despite the other living up to theirs. Sometimes marriages irretrievably breakdown and there is no way of saving them. Then all parties need prayer and support as their lives change. Judgment is not for others to make.
Jesus also wanted to show that children are important and we should be like them, trusting in God with a pure uncorrupted heart.
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Kim Insley
Mark 9: 38-48
Two years ago, I wrote about Luke’s gospel for 26th Sunday (Year C) of the year, commenting that I’d written about Matthew’s gospel for the same Sunday previously (year A). So, I’ve made the hat trick, with Mark’s gospel for Year B!
This gospel has two elements to it: the first part looks at exorcism (my bible entitles it “Another Exorcist”) and the second part is about temptation. So let’s look at the first part, verses 38 to 41 first!
The disciples are upset that someone else is achieving a miracle in Jesus’ name without being a ‘follower’. This is such a reflection of our human nature when we feel we are being left out. As a teacher, I believe that my learners should be able to achieve more than me, especially if I’ve done my work well, but recently I experienced a little twinge of jealously when I heard about a former pupil of mine who has achieved her Doctorate. So, I can empathise a little with the disciples at the beginning of this section. Then I read Jesus’ response, “You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us” (v 39, Your Sunday Missal, Redemptorist publications). And whereas my feelings may be human, the response we should feel is divine. I must be pleased for my former pupil (perhaps I had a small part in her achievements?) and Jesus is clear that even those who do not follow Him but are achieving success in His name are good. I am reminded therefore of the value of other religions and faiths who may not profess a believe in Jesus, or even one God, but who do good.
The second element is where Jesus goes on to expand on the idea of people who challenge “these little one who have faith” by telling us that these challengers will not be looked on favourably. He argues with reference to Isaiah 66 v24 saying in verse 48 that these people will be “thrown into hell where the worm does not die nor their fire go out.” The text is so powerful that we are told to cut off a hand that offends, or tear out an eye that might cause us to sin. In reflecting on this, I was reminded of Fr Victor’s homily on 24th Sunday (8.30am Mass) when he spoke of the importance of speaking out, as well as of actions. Faith is clearly part of Mark’s dialogue at this time and whilst actions speak louder than words (as seen here in this gospel) what we say is also important.
I noticed in my missal that verses 44 and 46 were omitted, so I went to my bible to find them. They are actually missing there too and on further research, it appears that verses 44 and 46 are repeats of verse 48 (quoted above).
So, Mark feels it important to emphasise that we must be careful otherwise we will go to hell.
Please God, we all work hard to avoid this!
*********************************
3rd October 2021: 27th Sunday of the year (Cycle B)
Parishioner’s Gospel
Contributor: Cecilia Skudder Cjs.
Mark 10:2-16
Once again the pharisees tried to test our Lord!
They thought that they could trap Him, of this they felt assured.
They asked Him was it lawful for a man to get divorced?
Jesus asked then ‘what said Moses, should ever be enforced?’
Apparently Moses did pronounce that divorces were allowed,
But Jesus said the reason, was because they were so proud!
Unteachable then those people so Moses set that law.
But God He did not wish this, a rule we now deplore.
For from the world’s beginning a woman and a man
were made to be one body, unified in God’s plan.
Since God he had united then no one must divide.
This truth it is so spoken, and must not be decried.
A man or yes a woman, could not again be wed f
or adulterers this would make them, that’s what Christ has said.
Then He saw the children the disciples had turned away.
“Let them come to see Me, allow them to have their say.
For heaven is their Kingdom, and I tell you this today,
For anyone else to enter, embrace the kingdom like a child.”
He loved the little children and blessed them as he smiled.
Unless we be like children, being honest in our lives,
with no devious selfish motives, in any shape or guise,
heaven will not accept us, only truth leads to reward.
Help us in our quest please, to reach the Kingdom of our Lord. Cjs.
Jesus was adamant about the sanctity of marriage. Love and commitment is an action not a feeling, yet there are times when one spouse has totally abandoned their vows despite the other living up to theirs. Sometimes marriages irretrievably breakdown and there is no way of saving them. Then all parties need prayer and support as their lives change. Judgment is not for others to make.
Jesus also wanted to show that children are important and we should be like them, trusting in God with a pure uncorrupted heart.