Day 155: Jesus Is Lord

Today's readings: Mark 3-4 and Psalm 20.

I. Mark 3 recounts how Jesus healed a man with a withered hand, which angered the Pharisees since it was the Sabbath. They began to plot with the Herodians to have Him killed. Jesus later attracted great crowds, and wherever He encountered evil spirits, they fell before Him, and He commanded them not to reveal Who He Is. Jesus then appoints the Twelve Apostles. Some of His relatives are convinced that "He is beside Himself." The scribes claimed that Jesus was possessed by the Devil, which He dismissed, but warned them that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit wouldn't be forgiven. When His mother and brethren come to visit Him, and He is told, Jesus says that, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother."

In the next chapter, He tells the Parable of the Sower before a huge crowd by the Sea of Galilee. When asked by the Apostles, Jesus explains why He chooses to speak in parables, citing Isaiah 6:9–10. Next, He told the Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly. Finally, when Jesus falls asleep in a boat with the Apostles while crossing the Sea of Galilee, a storm frightens them, and they cry out to Him. Jesus calms the storm, amazing the Apostles that He had authority over nature like this.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

Jesus shows that he is Lord over the Sabbath by fulfilling its intended purpose - bringing God's people into communion with him. Jesus speaks of the unforgivable sin - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, this means being willfully unrepentant and refusing to accept God's mercy and forgiveness. We need to bring everything to the foot of the Cross and allow God to forgive us... After Jesus calms the storm, the apostles ask who he can possibly be. Jesus shows them that he is the Lord, the eternal Son of the Father. (p. 74)

II. Psalm 20 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A royal psalm. It is a prayer for the king's victory in battle and may have formed part of a liturgy conducted before marching off to war. The psalm joins community intercession with a word of assurance, perhaps spoken by a priest or Levite at the sanctuary. Divine protection is invoked through God's "name". (p. 846)

That's all for today!

Day 154: The Baptism of Jesus

Today's readings: Mark 1-2 and Psalm 11.

I. Mark 1 quickly establishes Jesus' authority over His disciples, doctrine, demons, disease, and ritual uncleanness, which is inseparable from His relationship with the Father. We meet John the Baptist, and Jesus is baptized, with an incredible theophany from heaven. Then Jesus faced testing in the desert by the devil. John is arrested after this; the Apostles are called to follow Him, and Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching with authority unlike the scribes. That authority is displayed when He miraculously calls out an unclean spirit from a man. Miracles are again shown in the healing of Peter's mother-in-law, and the chapter ends with His healing of a leper.

In the next chapter, Jesus shows that He has divine authority, which sparks a growing conflict with religious leaders. He forgives a paralytic of his sins in Capernaum, which angers religious leaders as blasphemy. Jesus then healed the man, showing that He does indeed have such authority. He later calls on Matthew to follow Him, and then eats dinner with him. This scandalizes the scribes and Pharisees, but He shows that He is the Divine Physician who heals sinners. When asked about fasting, He describes Himself as the Bridegroom while He is on earth. Finally, the Pharisees accuse Him of breaking the Law when His Apostles pluck grain to eat, showing that He is the Lord of the Sabbath.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

Scripture tells us that, due to sin, the world is in slavery to the Devil. So Jesus comes not only to teach and heal us but to save us. We can either choose to belong to the kingdom of darkness by remaining in bondage to sin or we can be transferred by the grace of Christ into the kingdom of light. When Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, the scribes present claim that this is blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. Here we see in the Gospels that Jesus claims to be God. (p. 72)

II. Psalm 11 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A psalm of trust. The speaker is hunted by wicked men yet refuses to flee to the mountains, despite the urging of others who are concerned for his life. Instead, he seeks the Lord as his refuge, confident that God sees all things from heaven and judges all men according to their deeds. (pp. 839-40)

That's all for today!

Messianic Checkpoint #2 - The Gospel of Mark

No readings today, but another break from the Old Testament with a look by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins at the Gospel of Mark.

As the BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

Mark is the shortest of the Gospels, and some scholars believe it was the first to be written. Mark's explanation of Jewish customs suggests that his Gospel was intended for Gentile Christians. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the "synoptic Gospels," as all three share similar content... Jesus' faithfulness to the will of the Father will become the model for his disciples. In contrast to picking up arms and fighting the political system of the day, Jesus calls all who follow him to deny themselves, pick up their cross, and come after him. What Mark proclaims is foolishness to some but life for those who both believe and walk in the truth. (p. 71)

That's all for today!

Day 153: The Decline of Solomon

 Today's readings: 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 10-12, and Psalm 9.

I. 1 Kings 11 recounts how Solomon’s heart turned away from God, and his disobedience led to the eventual division of Israel. His foreign wives turned his heart to idolatry, which greatly angered the Lord. Solomon spent his final years in turmoil as his kingdom unraveled. The prophet Abijah told Jeroboam that God had given him the ten northern tribes. Solomon tried to have him killed, but he fled to Egypt for refuge until the old king died. When he did die, his son Rehoboam took the throne, and the troubles sparked by Solomon's faithlessness began.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes: 

Solomon experiences an unraveling of his faith because he gives his heart to something other than the Lord - to hundreds of wives and concubines, as well as false worship... This is why it is important to choose relationships that support rather than weaken our relationship with God. It is especially important to choose a spouse who shares our faith. (p. 68)

II. Ecclesiastes 10 observes that a little folly can undo a great deal of wisdom, so the wise person should exercise prudence, self-control, and diligence, especially when dealing with authority.

In the next chapter, Qoheleth notes that man cannot control or fully understand God's providence, so we shouldn't let uncertainty paralyze us. We should work diligently, be generous, rejoice in God's gifts, and remember that God will judge how we live.

Ecclesiastes 12 brings the entire book to its conclusion. Youth, strength, pleasure, work, and earthly achievement will all pass away. Therefore, we must remember God while we still have life, and live in light of the judgment to come.

It's a pity that the reading of this great book is now at an end.

III. Psalm 9 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A thanksgiving psalm. The speaker appears to be a king, i.e., someone whose enemies are individuals as well as nations. He is also someone concerned for the plight of the oppressed. Confidence is placed in the righteousness of God, who judges the world and defends the cause of the poor. (p. 838)

That's it for today!

Day 152: Being Forgotten

 Today's readings: 1 Kings 10, Ecclesiastes 8-9, and Psalm 8.

I. 1 Kings 10 parallels 2 Chronicles 9 in recounting the visit of the Queen of Sheba as well as Solomon's wealth and splendor.

II. Ecclesiastes 8 speaks of wisdom and obedience to authority, the apparent prosperity of the wicked, the mystery of earthly justice, and the observation that human reason cannot comprehend everything God does.

In the next chapter, Qoheleth observes that death comes for us all, to the righteous and the wicked, and from our earthly perspective we cannot see how everything will turn out. The dead no longer participate in the activities of this earthly life that we toil with. We should be grateful for God's temporal gifts despite life's brevity. He also observes that though we can have great intelligence and ability, these still don't guarantee earthly success. Finally, he notes that while wisdom is genuinely valuable, the wise aren't necessarily honored for it.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

A main takeaway from Ecclesiastes is this: if this life is all there is, then all is vanity, all is meaningless because nothing endures... Being at peace with the recognition that we will eventually be forgotten is a gift. Our lives matter because this life is not all there is. Even if I am the smartest or strongest person in the room, this is only by chance. Eventually this moment will end - and someone smarter or stronger will come along. In such moments, we are invited to surrender to the Lord rather than to give in to our desire to be in control. (p. 66)

III. Psalm 8 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A psalm of praise. It begins and ends proclaiming the majesty of God, whose glory shines forth in the wonders of creation. The Psalmist stands in awe of the heavens and marvels that the Lord shows such loving concern for man. Even more, he is amazed that man, despite his lowliness, has been crowned and made king over all lesser creatures. (p. 837)

That's all for today! 

Day 151: Wisdom and Folly

Today's readings: 1 Kings 9, Ecclesiastes 6-7, and Psalm 7.

I. 1 Kings 9 recounts events after the completion of the temple and Solomon's palace, focusing on God's second appearance to Solomon, the dedication of Israel to covenant faithfulness, Solomon's many building projects, and his wealth and administration. In His second appearance to Solomon, God makes it clear that His promises must be accompanied by the responsibility of covenant obedience, that is, not turning aside from Him and serving idolatry.

II. Ecclesiastes 6 continues the warning that possessing good things is not the same as being able to enjoy them. Wealth, honor, long life, and even a large family cannot satisfy man if God is absent from the center of his life. Someone else ultimately enjoys what has been accumulated, for we are mortal and slated to die.

In the next chapter, Qoheleth turns toward wisdom, especially the wisdom that comes through suffering, humility, patience, and remembering death. This is not to glorify any of these, but to put money, status, resentments, temptations, and ambitions into their proper perspective. Misery isn't the goal, but suffering can form us in ways that amusement cannot (Rom 5:3-4).

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

Ecclesiastes can be troubling and, at times, confusing, but it can also be inspiring if we receive it correctly. The author of Ecclesiastes says that the day of our death is more important than the day of our birth - meaning, all things will end. If we recognize this, then we can live with clarity and purpose. (p. 64)

III. Psalm 7 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. One who is falsely accused appeals to the Lord for help and legal acquittal. Such a prayer was probably recited in the Temple, where the accused swore an oath of innocence that invoked a curse upon himself should he be guilty of the accusations brought against him. The Psalmist concludes with a vow to offer a thanksgiving sacrifice to the Lord once justice has been rendered. (p. 836)

That's all for today!

Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple

 Today's readings: 1 Kings 8, Ecclesiastes 3-5, and Psalm 6. 

I. 1 Kings 8 recounts the dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and marks the moment when the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple, symbolizing God's presence among His people. This is paralleled in 2 Chronicles 5-7.

II. Ecclesiastes 3 has the famous "For everything there is a season..." section, which has even been made into a song by the secular band The Byrds in the 1960s. This portion of Ecclesiastes essentially is teaching us how to live when we cannot understand or control what God is doing with our lives. We don't control everything that was created; God does.

In the next chapter, Qoheleth becomes rather dark. He tells us that God will ultimately judge injustice, yet in this fallen world, there is injustice for now: oppression, rivalry, loneliness, and the instability of worldly success.

Ecclesiastes 5 gives us what we need in this sinful world: to take God seriously, for He is eternal while we and wealth are not. Our relationship with God, money, and the things we think will make us secure are covered by Qoheleth.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the "preacher" considers the passing nature of happiness on earth. The takeaway: we should have plans rather than dreams. In other words, we should set out to do what we say we will do. Ecclesiastes tells us that if we love money, we will never be satisfied with it. Many people make huge salaries but have no life outside of their work. They keep working harder, though, because they want to make even more money. We need to examine our own lives to see if we have a similar mentality regarding anything of this world. (p. 62)

III. Psalm 6 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm that Christian tradition counts as one of the seven penitential psalms, along with Pss 32, 38, 52, 102, 130, 143. The Psalmist has done wrong and feels himself under God's judgment. Sickness is the divine discipline from which he pleads to recover with tears of repentance. (p. 836)

That's it for today!