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 and joined in the fulcrum or apex of the architectural structure that I learned from Mark's gospel. 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 Chapters1-8:26, 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. The second half of the gospel (Ch. 11:1-15:47), represents 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 the 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. We are too preoccupied with our physical and material needs that we end up neglecting the most important need, that of our eternal soul. When we get sick, we try to look for cure and treatment in order to bring our bodies back in shape. We even resort to different means in order to maintain our health and keep it in perfect shape by eating the right kind of food and exercising. This kind of care that we give our bodies should also be the same and even more for our spiritual bodies, our souls. There is not much difference, when our souls are inflicted with wounds of our sins, we must try to cure ourselves by going to God and asking forgiveness right away before it gets any worse. We have to treat our souls with utmost care and diligence. Though, nothing is ever impossible for God because He can make us whole. The problem lies with us when we are deeply stuck in our sins or we could also be just comfortably wading in the seashore of sins. When these happen we either fall into the trap of false impressions that little things won't hurt but before we know it we have become entangled in those little things that we thought we could easily get away with. As scriptures say, we ought to be ready at all times we might be caught unaware and empty handed just like the Parable of the Virgins and the song which says, "Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning until the break of day." We don't want to be found with no more oil in our lamps. Or we could be too deeply stuck in the mud of our sins that we tend to choose just to be left in our misery. The small and unnoticeable wounds that we inflict on ourselves can eventually amount into a big and ugly scar so it would be easier for us not to wait until we're in a total wreck before we go to God. Leprosy is a disease that makes a person look very ugly and unwanted. I remember this time when a friend and I shared some thoughts about physical beauty when we met a priest from Italy . Just by looking at him, one could not help but think that he could really pass off as an actor in Hollywood . He is very tall and handsome. During our conversation we both came up with this thought that physical beauty could sometimes obstruct a person's holiness if the person is not careful of his/her choices. It could lure him/her to a lot of worldly options that are presented to him/her. It is a lot better to have a beautiful soul for eternity than to be physically beautiful for a limited time. We admired this priest for offering himself to God for he was not only handsome physically but surely very wise for he realized the importance of making it big in the kingdom of God
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. (R) 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.
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 also God. He is true God and true man. 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
Luke 12:1-7
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. 5 I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. 6 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.”
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