Month: January 2021

MARK 1: 14-20 Gospel Reading – The Call To Conversion

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 14-20

After John was arrested, Jesus went into the Galilee and began preaching the good news of God. He said, “ The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the good news. As Jesus was walking along the shore of the lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will  make you fish people.” At once, they abandoned their nets and followed him. Jesus went a little farther and saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee; they were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them and they followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with their hired men.

POINT OF REFLECTION

A. The Call to Conversion

Jesus started his ministry with the twelve disciples. The twelve was the first batch to respond to the call of conversion at the beginning of Jesus ministry. They are considered as the chosen few from which Jesus spent precious time to train them for a very important mission of overcoming the world from the bondage of sins.

In the account of this bible reading , the process of recruitment is not complicated and does not require long list of qualification standard for Jesus had simply called them to follow for he would make them fisher of men. None of them from the human perspective qualifies being a worthy disciples of Jesus. We might even ask, what makes them qualified in the eyes of God? This is really a tough question which requires enough time of research and reflection to come up with a logical and valid answer. But tell you the answer to this question is not about how the disciples qualifies themselves in the eyes of God but it is about the work of God in itself that qualifies them to become  worthy disciple of Jesus.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, how many times you had been called but failed to respond in doubt of yourself? How many times you had told yourself that “no, not this time because you are not ready and qualified.” And now that you know that it is not our qualification that matter but rather how God qualifies us, what would you like to say unto the Lord your God?

Like the disciples’ response in this bible reading, let it be a joy to respond God’s calling for conversion immediate as the disciples had done during their time. Be Jesus disciple in this time and proclaim the gospel of God to further the cause of salvation. Amen.

Views: 104

GOD’S LOVE IS OVER AND ABOVE LAWS AND TRADITION

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

GOSPEL READING (Mark 3 :1-6)

Again Jesus entered the synagogue. A man, who had a paralyzed hand was there and some people watch Jesus: would heal the man on the Sabbath? If he did, they could accuse him.
Jesus said the man with the paralyzed hand, “ Stand here in the center.” He asked them, “ What does the law allow us to do on the Sabbath? To do good or to do harm? To save life or to kill?” But they were silent.

Then Jesus looked around at them with anger and deep sadness, because they had close their minds. And He said to the man “ Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was healed. As soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod’s supporters, looking for a way to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

a. Revelation of Jesus as true man and true God

The authority that JESUS was showing on the Sabbath day is a clear manifestation of His godliness. Only God has the full authority on Sabbath day. Sabbath is made for man, and not man being made for Sabbath. It is therefore a privilege for man to take some rest and worship God.

b. Love is over and above laws and tradition

God in essence is love. There is no way for any laws and tradition given to us by law experts to be first in the service of humanity. The act of Jesus healing the paralyzed man on Sabbath day implies that God’s love is above laws and tradition known to us  from our forefathers. God provides our needs all the time. He will answer our wants in his chosen time. God has appointed a time for all our request to be granted. All we need is hope in constant prayer of faith and devotion.

c. The way of the heart

The series of questions Jesus is asking in the Gospel reading, has tried their hearts and so with our hearts here and now whether God is always doing the right thing for us as his chosen people. How many times we almost question God about the things that had happen which from our judgment should not be happening. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to trust God for He will not be doing anything in our disadvantage. His ways about preparation is perfect for the coming days of our lives. Search your heart about this things base on the accounts of previous experiences. If an answer to this question, “Is your days before better than your days now?” is not, then that shows how God works in preparation for our lives in the coming days.

In conclusion brothers and sisters, through the revelation of Sabbath in this gospel reading, Jesus is a true God and true man in his real presence with the people. God’s love is more than anything else in fact God is love in itself. The laws and tradition given for us to follow by law experts is not over and above God’s love in the true service of humanity. While man’s hearts seems doubting about the godliness of Christ, reflect his works of mercy and compassion and change the ways of your hearts in Jesus alone as our savior. Continue reading “GOD’S LOVE IS OVER AND ABOVE LAWS AND TRADITION” →

Views: 73