THE ARCH

Today’s readings reminded me about the architectural structure of Mark's gospel which I learned from our bible study. This structure would reveal to us the intended level which is one of the 4 pillars of Mark's gospel (1.Literal (Peschat) 2.Intended (Derush) 3.Personal (Remaz) 4.Communal (Sod)). The intended level is the hardest part and where exegesis is done. Mark's reputation as a gospel writer is not as impeccable as that of the other gospel writers like Matthew, Luke, John and Paul when it comes to educational background and attainment since they are all well educated and learned in the study of the scriptures. Although this is true, there is something about the gospel of Mark that is distinctly his. Exploring the nature of Mark as a gospel writer revealed to us the exciting way in which Mark presents Jesus to us. This is known as Kai parataxis or the rapid movement and change of scenes. Rapid succession of event joined simply by "and" and constant use of "immediately" Examples of this can be found in the ff:
Mk 1:30,Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her.
Mk1:42,(The leper) The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Mk 5:29,(Hemorrhaging woman) Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Mk 5:42, The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. (At that) they were utterly astounded.
Mk 10:52 (Bartimaeus, the blind man) Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Mk 7:35 And (immediately) the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.
Mark's low Christology which means that Jesus is depicted to us in the view of the Evangelist Mark as human as possible and Jesus as a man in a hurry. Mark is written for people who already believe in Christ. Its main task is not to convert but to reinforce Christian faith since most if not all first wave Disciples of Christ are gone. Mark assures us that as long as we gain understanding of the Kingship of Jesus in our lives then there is no need to worry even if they are now all gone. God's generosity knows no boundaries. Today's 1st reading tells us exactly just that. Amen. Hallelujah!

Romans 4:1-8
...“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due. 5 But when one does not work, yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.”

Jesus is fully human and fully divine. These are the 2 opposite parts that make up the arch of Mark's gospel and joined in the fulcrum or apex of its architectural structure.
The first half of the gospel represents the Jesus as the Son of God and image of power and might and can be found in Chapter1-8:26, Jesus who is in charge, giving orders, an exorcist, and walks on water. Jesus is in control and source of strength, drive and power. The Son of God focused on His mission who engages into rapid phase of exorcisms and healing. He is truly the Son of God. Second half of the gospel (Ch. 11:1-15:47), Jesus as the Son of Man and image of weakness and suffering. No longer in charge and the one receiving orders, suffered greatly which is the prelude to the Paschal Mystery, the suffering, dying and rising of Jesus from the dead. We can often encounter in Mark's gospel, Jesus ordering them not to tell anyone about the miracles He had done. It's because they won't understand until Jesus is nailed on the cross. This is core purpose of Jesus' becoming man to save mankind. The fulcrum or apex of the arch is found in the middle of the gospel, Jesus as Savior which is the central theme of Mark's gospel where Jesus' divinity meets His humanity in the cross as the perfect victim (sacrificial lamb/scapegoat) of man's salvation. Mark is telling us and intended for us to discover the arch in ourselves that will bring us closer to the center/apex/fulcrum of our lives who is Jesus. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M
Psalm 32:1b-2. 5. 11
R: I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
1 Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. (R) 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.

In several passages in Mark, Jesus' human nature was shown in Mk 8:1-3 (felt pity) "In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, he summoned the disciples and said, "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance."

In Mark 6:34: When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Mark 6:6:(amazement) He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.

Mark 11:12-14:(cursed the fig tree) The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, "May no one ever eat of your fruit again!" And his disciples heard it.

Mark 14:32-34 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray. "He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." This scene in the garden of Gethsemane showed Jesus' feelings of pain, fear, abandonment. This was even aggravated by the fact that during His time this garden was situated in an incline in the hill top below the highest part of that hill where there was a slaughter house. During that time of the Passion and Death of Jesus it was also the time when they slaughter goats for the Passover and Jesus can see the blood from the slaughter house draining from on top of the garden. He saw Himself ending up with the same fate as the goats. Though he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.", His great love for us and His complete surrender to God's will prevailed. We are afraid of a lot of things that are happening right now in the whole world. I believe that if we will just focus on God's tremendous love for us then there is really nothing to fear. If we know that we are destined to be safe secure in the arms of our Creator then nothing can bother us anymore.
As in today's gospel, God everlasting love for us is once again declared by reminding us of who we are for God. It is always a good feeling to hear someone say assuring words of sincere and genuine love and care especially if we are that person being spoken to. Today’s gospel is exactly that and Jesus is not just any person, He is God.
Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 12:1-7
...Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. 7 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”