Mark 16:1-7, Easter Sunday 2018 I propose three inequalities for our Easter reflection today. The Easter truth of Christ risen in our midst, living intimately in our lives, reinforces these inequalities. These inequalities are: True > false Light > dark Love > death True > false. We hold this inequality to be true, even if…
Category: Evangelist: Mark
Rehearsing Love – Mark Aloysius, SJ
Mark 14:1-15/47, Palm Sunday This is the only Sunday in the year when we read two Gospels, one of triumphant entry, the other of crushing defeat. It is as if we are not permitted to linger very long with palms in our hand, celebrating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. After all, this is not why Jesus…
Among the Fickle Ground – Johnny Go, SJ
Mark 11:1-10, Palm Sunday The event we recount–and reenact–on Palm Sunday was a highlight of sorts in our Lord’s Public Ministry. Reported in all four gospels, our Lord’s entry to Jerusalem is often prefixed with the adjective “triumphal” to express the exceptional welcome given to Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem. The welcome must have been overwhelming,…
The Transcript of Our Trial – Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Mark 14:1-15/47, Palm Sunday The biblical accounts of Jesus’ passion and death focus very much on his trial, describing it in length and in detail. And there is a huge irony in how it is described. Jesus is on trial, but the story is written in such a way that, in effect, everyone is on…
Beyond the Darkness – Mark Aloysius, SJ
Mark 9:2-10, Second Sunday of Lent There is this painting by Rubens, Landscape by Moonlight (1635-40), which I think might provide a way in which we could meditate on our readings today. In this painting, Rubens paints the night sky illuminated by the warm light of the moon and innumerable stars. Against this brilliant but…
A Glimpse of Glory – Willy Samson, SJ
Mark 9:2-10, Second Sunday Of Lent When Jesus brought Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor, one of his intentions was to give them a glimpse of his divine glory. Jesus saw the necessity of giving his disciples of something to hold on – a hope in the dark, something to give them strength when…
Opposites – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 1:12-15, First Sunday of Lent The story of Noah and the flood is not a Genesis original. It’s from a much older Babylonian myth called Atra-Hasis. That’s also the name of the story’s hero. In the myth, the demi-gods grow weary of the mortals they’ve created out of clay. So they plan on destroying…
What is Lent? – John Foley, SJ
Mark 1:12-15, First Sunday of Lent What is Lent? Ash Wednesday was a few days ago, starting the Lenten countdown toward Holy Week and Easter, but maybe some of us are not completely clear as to why these weeks of preparation are there in the first place. One opinion is that Lent is a time…
If You Wish – Johnny Go, SJ
Mark 1:40-45, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Today’s reading may be interpreted as yet another healing miracle of our Lord that showcases his compassion for those who are marginalized in society. The worst part about being a leper during Jesus’ time, after all, was not so much the physical affliction as much as the social…
Burn – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 1:40-45, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Have you ever been moved with pity so deeply that you felt it in your guts, na sobra kang awang-awa na parang hinalukay ang bituka mo? The last time I felt very deep pity was last Monday. I was waiting for a cab down in Barangka. I decided…
Eat Up – John Foley, SJ
Mark 1:21-28, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time B A Jesuit friend of mine, who happens to be Polish-American, once invited me to dinner at his mother’s house. This sounded quite agreeable. The only instruction I was given beforehand was, do not refuse second helpings. I was young and skinny and I knew I would even…
Where Does It Come From? – Johnny Go, SJ
Today’s Gospel is about the first–and lasting–impression that our Lord makes on people. And the impression that he makes on the people he interacts with–the lasting impression he leaves them with–is summarized by one recurring word: “Authority.” It’s funny because I would have expected a different kind of first or lasting impression. Perhaps holiness or kindness?…
One Lost Sheep 