Comments on: Reflect with me on the readings for February 8

By: Bob99

Bob99 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:48:56 +0000

It made me laugh that he went to Confession before any jump. ,

By: Darryl Ward

Darryl Ward — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:46:51 +0000

I ended up sticking with my original theme of word and action, emphasising that Jesus acted as well as spoke, i.e. he preached AND healed, and that his set Him apart from the other preachers of His time.

However, I substituted the Epistle reading for James 2:14-26 (faith without works is dead), and emphasised how we need to reveal Christ in word and action.

If anybody is interested, he/she may watch the result here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz52rnuDXZI

Text and audio are available here: http://www.theword.tk

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:23:58 +0000

I am attracted to the idea of Jesus getting up early, going out, going away to a deserted place. Most of us it seems tend to avoid the deserted places of life whether they be geographical, emotional or spiritual. So I wonder if Jesus goes to the deserted place not only for himself but to call the others into the deserted places of their life – to be alone with the Alone. They think Jesus has left them and now they must find him but in reality he is calling them into a deeper place, the place of “interiority.”

By: Bosco Peters

Bosco Peters — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:44:20 +0000

Sara – know that we meet around this website also as a praying community. Visitors to this site will be praying for you and all who are preaching. I have lit a virtual candle for you on this site’s chapel.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=7724987

By: Sara Lee Macdonald

Sara Lee Macdonald — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:37:09 +0000

I loved these lessons! I’m preaching my first sermon on February 8,2009! Too many themes to focus on! I chose the Gospel of Mark. I was struck by the fact that Jesus and His disciples hit the ground running and took time to eat, pray, and rest when they needed to. I think this Gospel lesson shows us evangelism in motion! May God Bless all those who are preaching this Sunday!

Sara

By: Bosco Peters

Bosco Peters — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:02:55 +0000

Update: This morning I came across an image of the reconstruction of the house, and a photo of the excavations. I have added them into the text, and given their source.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:35:26 +0000

I’ve been giving some thought to the idea that Jesus demonstrates power over both physical and spiritual illness through healing people of physical illness (fever) and spiritual illness (demonic possession).

I realize there is much more there in the Gospel, but I am considering a sermon that highlights Jesus’ power to heal us of our physical and spiritual illnesses.

By: Bosco Peters

Bosco Peters — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:12:18 +0000

Greetings

Thanks everyone for the high quality and atmosphere of the comments thus far. This venture has had an even better launch than I could have hoped for.

A couple of comments from me sparked off by the last one from John Woodhouse. I too have visited here, and there is some disappointment – but, looking on the bright side, the ruins are being preserved for the future.

As to Peter’s (Cephas’) wife. 1 Corinthians 9:5 has her travelling with Peter (she is still not named). Paul was writing that letter about 25 years after Mark’s story (though before Mark wrote up the story – if you follow my meaning). That Corinthian text is not read in the RCL lectionary, but precedes our epistle today by only 11 verses. If a community wanted to make a point of this, the Corinthian text could be expanded, or that context put into a pew-sheet, or an introduction to the reading, or highlighted in the sermon.

As you know, I struggle with some of the technology involved, but I understand you can subscribe to the “Comments Feed” RSS (As well as the “Entries Feed” RSS at the bottom of this page. The comments, I think, are at
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/blog/comments/feed
Please let me know if I am misleading people by this information into thinking they can keep track of these positive comments.

Thanks again. I pray for you. Please pray for me and all who visit this site.

Blessings

Bosco+
webmaster of http://www.liturgy.co.nz

By: John Woodhouse

John Woodhouse — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:22:34 +0000

Thanks for the plan – it is a shame that a modern church was built over these ruins which we visited last year. I wonder what happened to Peter’s wife? I am currently reading “John” by Niall Williams and it certainly makes you realise the cost of being an apostle.
I wonder why Jesus admonishes people not to tell anyone. Could it be a concern that the people would make him “king” and his time was not yet come?

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:43:23 +0000

I, too, like to let the lessons bump around in my head and mull about in my heart….then, read, study, inwardly digest…and hope a sermon is the result! What has stayed in my head and heart is the relationship between rest and work. Jesus works to heal the people, then rests. Mama in law is healed and immediately, (thanks to Mark’s author) goes to work. The Isaiah text reminds us where we receive our renewal. Not sure how this might translate into a sermon, but I live with hope!

By: Rob+

Rob+ — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:16:30 +0000

Concerning Paul and being ‘all things to all people’, I think this is a case where Scripture must be its own primary interpreter. Paul has, throughout his preaching ministry (undoubtedly) and his previous writings (definately) laid out the bounds of Christian freedom to those he is ministering to. Within those bounds, he reaches out to each individual in the way that is the most meaningful to them; in ways that will impact their lives because, in truth, he is reflecting to them the love of Jesus Christ who has created us and knows our many variances and unique attributes. Being ‘all things to all people’ is (to me) a simple yet powerful reflection on how God is a part of every fibre of our being (even if we are not conscious of that fact) and how we, who are aware of that reality are called to touch others in his stead.

This will involve various means (perhaps what various popes call the ‘New Evangelization’) and targeted verbiage to reach into specific communities or situations that, as yet, have not responded to the Gospel. At times, it will mean silence – for as Francis of Assisi so wisely tells us, “Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary.”

Blessings,
Rob+

By: george

george — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:08:11 +0000

Also, loved the illustration of Peter’s house. That kind of stuff is great. Juxtaposed with any other photos of replica structures from that time and area, are helpful to draw in a person to the time of the narrative.

Wonderful!

-g-

By: george

george — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:06:10 +0000

May I respond to Kitty?

Kitty, it has always been my understanding that Paul is certainly not saying “When in Rome”… at least in the fullest sense of the phrase. What I believe he is trying to say is that, in order to spread the gospel he finds a way to relate to the people he is speaking to.

He did this on Mars Hill as a great example. It is understandably one of his most commendable attributes. Following in the same method as Christ, he utilizes familiar things, settings, customs and so on, to open up the audience to hear the Good News. Again, the example of the “unknown God”. He surveyed the people, and had a good angle to come at them with.

All of us should take this to heart. If we are called by the name Christian, then we live under Christ’s edict to “Go and make disciples”. What better way to share faith with others than by getting to know them and relating to them. This I believe is what the Apostle Paul meant. Fr. Bosco… correct me if I’m wrong! Thank you for allowing me to comment.

May Christ lift each of you up and bless you to be a blessing and bring glory to His name.

-g-

By: Noel Bailey

Noel Bailey — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:16:28 +0000

This looks like a good resource–thank you!You asked about other discussion sites, and I have “tuned in” to bodyii for their forum on all the week’s readings. Sometimes folks get off subject, but there are some good posts. web is http:www.desperatepreacher.com/bodyii.htm If I have spelled anything wrong, googling bodyii will get you there. Blessings and thanks.

By: sue kephart

sue kephart — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:22:42 +0000

Mark is such as interesting Gospel. In verse 34,”He drove out many demons but would not let the demons speak because they knew who He was.” As if this is just such an ordinary thing to cast out demons. And they KNEW who he was. I started wondering if many looking good Christians who may not so much knew who He was make of such a reading.

Do we really believe this. Or is it something written in the era before they knew better and so take it tongue and cheek. If we believe what is written here, well we better get on our knees.My God!! You can cast of demons who know you are the Son of God and silence them when the learned men around you just don’t “get” You.