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Sunday Scripture Study

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B

September 9, 2012

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Opening Prayer

First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a

Psalm: 146:7-10

Second Reading: James 2:1-5

Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus has just come from Gentile territory (the Gentile coastal towns of Tyre and Sidon) where he has healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter of a demon (Mark 7:24-30).

In this Sundays episode—which appears only in Mark—he is in Gentile lands again; the region of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 cities just east of the Sea of Galilee. Ironically, this confederation was founded in part to discourage Jewish incursions.

Jesus’ manner of healing often takes on a sacramental aspect; that is, he incorporates the material into healings done by his Divine power. Similarly, the Sacraments of the Church are not only signs, but signs that effect (actually accomplish) what they signify; for example: the saving power of Baptism through water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21).

Even though Jesus takes pains to conceal his identity (verses 33, 36; also Mark 1:25, 5:43; CCC 439), it is clear that his actions fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah (Luke 4:1-6; Isaiah 35:4-6; Wisdom 10:21; CCC 549).

QUESTIONS:

In the 1^st Reading, what message did Isaiah have for believers who might have begun to falter in their hope? What are some of the miraculous signs which will identify the coming of the Kingdom of God in these verses? In what ways were they fulfilled by Jesus?

In reference to the 2^nd Reading, how do you behave when the opportunity arises to meet someone famous or wealthy? What association do you have with the poor? Of the two, whose company do you prefer? According to Scripture, what advantages do the poor have that the rich lack?

It seems Jesus goes out of his way to reach this specific individual to heal him (verse 31). What does that tell you about Jesus?

What do you think is the significance of Jesus looking up to heaven and sighing right before he heals the man (Mark 8:11-13)? Could it be related to verses 33a and 36?

Why do you think Jesus used the method he did to heal the man? How is the response of these Gentiles (verse 37) like that of the Jews (1:27; 2:12) and the disciples (4:41)? What do you think is Mark’s point in emphasizing this?

Why do you think that Jesus took the man aside to heal him in private? How has Jesus dealt privately with you (rather than treating you as part of a group)?

In the liturgy (as in the hymn Veni Creator), the Holy Spirit is compared to the finger of God (verse 33). What are the effects that the Holy Spirit has on us that are comparable to the effects that Christ had on the man that was healed (CCC 683, 687)? For us to believe, what must God first do for us (CCC 153)?

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1504, 1151

“Thou who are sevenfold in thy grace,/Finger of God’s right hand,/His Promise, teaching little ones/To speak and understand.” ~From Veni Creator, an ancient hymn in praise of the Holy Spirit

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Pastor’s Column

September 16, 2012

24^th Sunday Ordinary Time

“And he asked them, ‘but who do you say that I am?’”

(from Matthew 8:27-35)

Who do you say that I am? This gospel always reminds me of a “pop-quiz” that teachers use to check on the progress of their students! One can imagine the disciples and Jesus enjoying an evening meal, perhaps by a fire, just relaxing after a successful day of preaching and healing. In the course of a simple conversation, Jesus asks a very innocent question, “Who do the people say that I am?”

Who do the people say that I am? Many answers are forthcoming: “Some say John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet!” Perhaps they were laughing as they tried to come up with all the different takes on Christ. This is still true today! People see Jesus from many angles in this world: a savior, a threat to personal liberty, a heretic, a good man, a philosopher, someone to ignore, a Good Shepherd, a friend. Although we are all called to spread the good news of who Jesus really is, Jesus is not interested in this at the moment in the gospel: rather, he zeroes in on precisely who each person present—his close disciples--think Jesus is. How would we answer this question?

Who do you say that I am? We answer this question by how we live! For example, if I only attend church when no better offer comes along (like a sunny day at the beach or a football game), or I habitually leave church early without a good reason, or do not pray on a regular basis, one can conclude that Jesus is not #1 in my life—that which I give priority in my life to is perhaps more of a “lord” than Christ is!

Who do you say that I am? Jesus appears in many forms besides his sacramental presence in the Eucharist! For example, the sick child, parent or spouse I am caring for, the homeless and unemployed I gave food to, the unborn that I am trying to protect in a world that seems to place little value in them. Jesus is present in the terribly persecuted Christians in Syria and other places… did I see him there?

Who do you say that I am? When I am grateful for what I like, and especially what I don’t like (at the moment) in my life, I really am saying to Jesus, you are the Lord! Jesus is looking for a few good friends that really trust him in every age. He constantly challenges us, through the circumstances of each day, to recognize by our daily choices who we are saying that Jesus really is in our lives.

Father Gary