Day 24 - Chapter 4, Verses 30-32

He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."

The mustard seed is small. It grows to something great. Can you see that happening with God’s life in you?

Day 23 - Chapter 4, Verses 21-29

He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

He said,"This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."

The Kingdom of God is compared to a few different things here. Do you find light in God’s Word? Do you find the Kingdom of God ‘sprouting’ and growing?

Day 22 - Chapter 4, Verses 14-20

The sower sows the word.

These are the ones on the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once and takes away the word sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who, when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy. But they have no root; they last only for a time. Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Have you seen religious faith choked by the dangers mentioned in this passage?

Day 21 - Chapter 4, Verses 10-13

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that 'they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.'" Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables?

What do you find it hard to understand about the ways of God?

Day 20 - Chapter 4, Verses 1-9

On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.

And he taught them at length in parables, and in the course of his instruction he said to them, "Hear this! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain.

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."

He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."


That last line is a real challenge to us. Do we have the ears to hear?

About Chapter 3

Chapter 3 is continues the theme of controversy and raises some interesting questions. You might like to download this one page review. Some questions you might have are answered in the review. If you have others, feel free to add them in the comments!

Day 19 - Chapter 3, Verses 31-35

His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers (and your sisters) are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and (my) brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. (For) whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

We all cherish our family ties. What does this last line, in verse 35, say to you about the call of the Gospel?

Day 18 - Chapter 3, Verses 20-30

He came home. Again (the) crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat.

When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons he drives out demons."

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.

But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."

As residents of Illinois, of course we have a special claim on the phrase "house divided" thanks to Lincoln. But, leaving aside the issues in 19th century politics, how have you been a ‘house divided’ - torn between the good that God desires for us - and the capacity to do evil?

Day 17 - Chapter 3, Verses 13-19

He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:
(he appointed the twelve:) Simon, whom he named Peter; James, son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

This is quite the motley crew: tradesmen, a tax collector, a political radical, and a traitor. If we are all called to be disciples of Jesus, what does this collection of folks reveal that might be true of us, as well?

Day 16 - Chapter 3, verses

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people (followed) from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known.

Look back in the Gospel so far. Who sees that Jesus is the Son of God? Why do you think that is so?

Day 15 - Chapter 3, Verse 6

The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.

This is such a bald statement - fomenting a conspiracy to kill Jesus. What kinds of emotions does this statement evoke for you?

Day 14 - Chapter 3, Verses 1-5

Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.

He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

Are there ways that God has broken through your ‘hardness of heart’? Are there times in your life that you have been surprised by God doing something that is extraordinary?

About Chapter 2

Chapter 2 is full of controversy and challenge. You might like to download this one page review. Some questions you might have are answered in the review. If you have others, feel free to add them in the comments!

Day 13 - Chapter 2, Verses 23-28

As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain.

At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?"

Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."

God is in charge of everything on the earth. In what ways are you conscious of this? In what ways do you think that you are very much in control of everything?

Day 12 - Chapter 2, Verses 18-22

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to him and objected, "Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins."

We speak of God renewing and refreshing us. In what ways has God done that for you? How have you found ‘everything new’ or things changed?

Day 11 - Chapter 2, Verses 13-17

Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus heard this and said to them (that), "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

We hear one more time of a call of a disciple, but in this case someone that everyone else despised. What are the ‘qualifications’ to follow Jesus?

What do we do with the others in our lives, in our church, who don’t seem to be the type of people we would have called if we had been Jesus?

Day 10 - Chapter 2, Verses 1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven."

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"-- he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."


What kind of authority does God have in your life? Are you willing to trust the Lord with your cares? With your sins?

About Chapter 1

Now that we have finished reading through Chapter 1, you might like to download this one page review. Some questions you might have are answered in the review. If you have others, feel free to add them in the comments!

Day 9 - Chapter 1, Verses 35-45

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

A leper came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean." The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them."

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Do you feel this way - harassed and pursued by people who want something of you? What do you think God wants of you?

Day 8 - Chapter 1, Verses 28-34

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

What kinds of things do you rely on God for?

Day 7 - Chapter 1, Verses 21-27

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."

What kind of authority does Jesus and his teaching have in your life?

Day 6 - Chapter 1, Verses 14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fish for people."

Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

The call to the disciples, in a way, is the beginning of our story - the story of the church. How does this call to follow affect you? Do you feel ready to go? Do you feel like you need to take care of business first?

Day 5 - Chapter 1, Verses 12-13

At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Does temptation play a part in your life? How do you deal with it?

Day 4 - Chapter 1, Verses 9-11

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

When have you felt beloved by God?

Day 3 - Chapter 1, Verses 7-8

And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."

We often hear these verses during Advent. Do you feel a sense of expectation about Christ? Do you ever feel as if you are waiting for him? What does that feel like?

Day 2 - Chapter 1, Verses 2-6

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.

Think about the world you know. Is there a place for repentance in our world? In our lives? In your life?

We interrupt this reading of Mark....

...to bring you the Pope.

This is from Pope Benedict XVI's opening talk at the Synod on the Word of God, now taking place in Rome.

At the end, we return to a preceding verse: "Tuus sum ego:salvum me fac". This translates as: "I am yours". The Word of God is like a stairway that we can go up and, with Christ, even descend into the depths of His love. It is a stairway to reach the Word in the words. "I am yours". The word has a face, it is a person, Christ. Before we can say "I am yours", He has already told us "I am yours". The Letter to the Hebrews, quoting Psalm 39, says: "You gave me a body… Then I said, ‘Here I am, I am coming’". The Lord prepared a body to come. With His incarnation He said: I am yours. And in baptism He said to me: I am yours. In the Holy Eucharist, He always repeats this: I am yours, so that we may answer: Lord, I am yours. In the path of the Word, entering the mystery of his incarnation, of His being among us, we wish to appropriate His being, expropriate our existence, giving ourselves to Him, He who gave Himself to us.

"I am yours". Let us pray the Lord that we may learn to say this word with our whole being. That way we will be in the heart of the Word. That way we will be saved.

Day 1 - Chapter 1, Verse 1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God).

Take a few minutes today and reflect on what you know and believe about Jesus. How would you describe him? What do you think of him? What does he mean to you?

As you begin...

You might want to have a bit of background about the Gospel of Mark. This one-pager answers some frequently asked questions and gives you an idea of the conditions in which it was written. Use the comments to ask any other questions.

Welcome

Day One of this journey through Mark is Wednesday, October 8, 2008. Come back then for the beginning of the Gospel. You can subscribe via the RSS feed at the left.