Tag: Mark

Do you ever have those days when you really have to stick at something, to show perseverance, when you would much rather simply give in!  I have had one of those last week when I had to sort out our television licence.

One commentator described today’s Gospel in Mark as “Jesus with his compassion down”. Perhaps we might call it: “Small crumbs of comfort”.

Jesus is telling us that we must also come aside and rest awhile. To slow down and pay attention to our own hearts, our own movements.

So, next time that you’re interrupted… just pause a second… before you decide what to do next. Pause before you decide how to respond.

We need a nudge to remember that there are other people in other boats out there when we’re in a storm – and Jesus calms it for them too.

Do not be afraid may be the most common phrase in the scriptures, but we know that we have been afraid; and we will be again.

Mark the brief. Mark the sometimes hasty; Mark who gets to the point and gets there quickly. And the point is: HE HAS BEEN RAISED!

Did you notice something un-expected in our Gospel reading today from Mark? Frankly, Jesus acts like he’s a day-tripping tourist.

Noah got out of the ark, gave thanks to God, had a barbecue, where he burnt everything and then he got drunk. Maybe it was on a Friday night?

Jesus was bathed in light and there were two Old Testament figures: Moses and Elijah. The disciples were bewildered. How to respond?

In Matthew, John says to Jesus: “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus’ answer, spoken or not, is “I come to you”.

He takes time to talk about being ‘beloved’ – but there’s no loitering in fields with shepherds or journeying in search of a wandering star.