Judgment and Salvation, Mark 13:14-23, Hebrews 10:31-39

When Jesus speaks during the Olivet Discourse about the destruction of the Temple, he was showing mercy with regard to the coming judgment of Jerusalem. He warns his disciples and those who follow them to flee when the time comes. How are we to understand this prophecy today? Is it about the future, or is it here to help us understand God’s desire to bring mercy and salvation in the midst of judgment against sin?

Image: The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, Francesco Hayez, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The Widow's MIGHT, Mark 12:38-44

Father John Riebe reminds us that as Christians we are called to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This life is revealed fully through the act of the widow whose gift isn’t measured physically, but spiritually before the Lord.

Image: Le denier de la veuve (The Widow’s Mite), James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Widow%27s_Mite_(Le_denier_de_la_veuve)_-_James_Tissot.jpg

Walking the Path to Jesus, Mark 10:46-52

When Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus, we get to see something new about discipleship, but also a juxtaposition between this blind man and James and John in the previous passage. Jesus asks both, “What do you want me to do for you?” How we each answer that question gives shape to our walk with Jesus.

Image: Christ Healing a Blind Man, by Eustache Le Sueur, public domain. Image location: https://www.wikiart.org/en/eustache-le-sueur/christ-healing-the-blind-man

Taking Up the Cup, Mark 10:35-45

When James and John ask Jesus to sit at his right and left hand, he confronts them with the reality of suffering that must come before glory. What does that mean for us today? Does suffering come before glroy? Father Jeremiah considers Jesus’ words in response to James and John and the other apostles.

Image: Fra Angelico, frescoes, San Marco, picture posted by Frans Vandewalle, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0, no changes made. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/snarfel/4120035206/

The Blessing of Marriage and Children, Mark 10.2-16

When Jesus speaks of marriage and children, he sets out to correct his time’s misuse and misunderstanding of these things. Likewise today, we must hear his words and take them to heart as we approach these most holy of subjects.

Image: Portrait of a Married Couple with a Child, by Peter Paul Rubens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Being Truly Great Means Dying, Mark 9:30-37

Jesus’ teaching about his own pending death to the disciples connected with his teaching on who is the greatest, reminds us that only by dying to self can we discover the greatness that God the Father intends for us.

Image: John Hazeland on His Deathbed, by Edvard Munch, uploaded by villarreal9, license CC BY-SA 4.0 (No changes made). Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Hazeland_on_His_Deathbed.jpg

Transforming Unbelief into Belief, Mark 9:14-29

When Jesus comes down from the mountain after his transfiguration, he and the three disciples are confronted with a scene of chaos. The other disciples are arguing with the scribes about casting out a demon and healing a boy. The father of boy explains to Jesus what is happening and confesses his own unbelief mixed into his faith. What are we to make of such a story from the Bible? Is this a reminder to us that even small faith with unbelief can help us to grow in faith? Can that very unbelief be transformed?

Image: Jesus casting out demons, photo taken by Nick Thompson, mosiac located in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna. License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (No Changes made). Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pelegrino/4670683038

The Mundane Creates Praise, Mark 7:31-37

When Jesus heals a deaf and mute man, he uses some ordinary things in the process. What does this mean about the ordinary and mundane? Are they important? Can Jesus work through simple things to bring forth praise? Father Jeremiah explores this in his sermon on Mark 7:31-37

Image: Young Mother Sewing, Mary Cassatt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sacrificing Rules to Justify Yourself, Mark 7.1-23

When the Pharisees and Scribes confront Jesus about his disciples not ritually washing hands before eating, Jesus confronts them with their ability to sacrifice the rules of God with man-made traditions in order to justify themselves. In what ways do we do this today? How are we to overcome this desire?

Image: The Field of Derout-Lollichon, by Paul Gauguin, public domain by release from LACMA. Image location: https://collections.lacma.org/node/253530

Jesus Manifested in the Crisis, Mark 6:45-52

When Jesus sends the disciples out to cross the Sea of Galilee, they find themselves struggling against a strong headwind. Why does Jesus come to them walking upon the sea? How does this reveal who Jesus is? How do we respond to Jesus in the middle of our own crises?

Image: Jesus Walks on the Sea, Gustave Doré, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus_walks_on_the_sea.jpg

Mercy Will Prevail, Mark 6:30-43, Isaiah 57:14-21

Christ’s feeding of the five thousand reveals to us the mercy of God toward us in our deepest needs. God has promised throughout Scripture that he will show forth his mercy and he does so such that it is right to say that his almighty power is chiefly declared through his mercy.

Image: Christ Feeding the Five Thousand, Public Domain. Image locaiton: https://picryl.com/media/christ-feeding-the-five-thousand-from-bl-royal-16-g-iii-f-86-5b38ed

Rejected but not Hindered, Mark 6:1-6

When Jesus returns to his hometown, he finds a not very friendly welcome. What does this tell us about our response to rejection. What does it tell us about our own rejections of Jesus in our daily lives?

Image: Christ Healing a Leper, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Public Domain. Image location: https://picryl.com/media/christ-healing-a-leper-fdbefe

Chaos Inside Overcome by Jesus Outside, Mark 5:22-43

When Jesus encounters the results of chaos from the inside of us, what does he do? Does he scoff or ignore it? Or does he act against it in order to bring to us inward and outward healing? Father Jeremiah looks at Mark 5 and a story with two healings dealing with chaos from the inside.

Image: The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, Eduard Bendemann, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Raising_of_the_Daughter_of_Jairus_MET_DP803683.jpg

God Amidst the Chaos, Mark 4:35-5:20

Jesus calms the storm and casts out a legion of demons in our Gospel lesson today. How do these reveal the power of Jesus over creation and his power over the chaos that has invaded creation? Father Jeremiah shows us that there is more that a mere calming of the storm and casting out of demons in his sermon from Sunday.

Image: Christus bedaart de storm, by James Ensor, Public Domain (no changes made). Image location: https://www.muzee.be/nl/collectie-1/christus-bedaart-de-storm-1

Like the Birds of the Air, Mark 4:26-34

Jesus told many parables to the people. In these two parables he speaks of seeds growing and birds finding homes amongst the mustard plant. What does this mean about the kingdom? How do we participate in this if God is the one who causes the growth? Father Jeremiah helps us to see the glory of God’s work and us being part of the work.

Image: Image from page 65 of "Birds through an opera-glass" (1898), Public Domain. Location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14568983987/in/photostream/

Sabbath Rest, Mark 2:23-28

How is Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath? What does this mean for our pursuit of sabbath? Fr. John takes us through the Mark 2:23-28 and connects to our other readings from the day.

Image: La Sieste, Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Veil Swallowed to Bring New Life, Isaiah 25, Acts 10, Mark 16

Jesus’ death and resurrection is God’s way of swallowing up death and removing the veil of it from over the people. His resurrection is the acceptance of his sacrifice that brings forgiveness and rejoicing to all people. Find out more from Father Jeremiah now.

The King Who Saves from Sin, Mark 11.1-11

When Jesus entered Jerusalem upon the back of a donkey, the people cried out “Hosanna!” What was the meaning of this cry and what do we realize about it today? Father Jeremiah brings forward the impact of this entrance with palms and how it reveals the reality of the work of Jesus for us.

Image: Palm Sunday Icon, Picture taken by Ted. Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED, no changes made. Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frted/12801075263

God's Promises through Suffering, Mark 8:31-38, Romans 8:31-39

As Jesus begins teaching his disciples directly about his crucifixion, St. Peter rebukes Jesus for thinking that the Messiah must suffer. However, Jesus turns the tables on St. Peter and points out to him and all that we all must suffer and die in light of his own death and resurrection. Through this, we come to know more deeply the love of Christ for us.

Image: The Crucifixion, unknown artist, public domain, from the J. Paul Getty Museum. Image location: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/107TX5#full-artwork-details

Resisting Temptation for You, Mark 1:9-13

When Jesus receive the Holy Spirit in his baptism, that very Spirit drove him into the wilderness. There Jesus resists Satan for his people and brings to us who trust in him, deliverance from temptation and, ultimately, sin itself through his death and resurrection.

Image: The Temptation by the Devil by Gustave Dore, engraving, 1865. Public Domain. Image location: https://www.artbible.info/art/large/18.html