So let's talk about today's readings 1/14/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/readings/011409.shtml

The first reading says that Jesus freed all those, who through
fear of death, had been subject to slavery all their life. Well,
this is evidenced in the apostles, who were afraid of death, but
after they saw Jesus rose from the dead, and they received the
Holy Spirit, they weren’t afraid any more, and preached openly.
What I would like to know is, did Jesus free Himself also from the
fear of death, or suffering? After seeing what it’s like to die and
rise from the dead, I’d like to know if He would still beg His
Father to let this cup pass Him by, or not? Or, having experienced such severe suffering, would He want even more to
avoid it?

Part of the psalm says that “throughout the earth, His judgements prevail.” What are those judgements today that
are prevailing in the earth? Doesn’t it seem like they are
mostly Not prevailing, and we have to keep praying, “let you
kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” because it’s
clearly not here yet.

The book of Mark is the most entertaining of all the gospels to
me(even though my favorite is Matthew). Some people recommend reading the book of John first to those just beginning, but I think that’s a mistake. John is the most difficult to understand, while Mark spends much time just showing you what happened in order. Today, He’s just left the synagogue, and
spent the rest of the night healing people. I wonder how late He
was up that night? It seems like after His first public encounter
with the dark side of the spirit world, He would be exhausted and
just want to sleep if He could. Instead, all evening people kept
coming to the door to be healed, and He healed them all. At
one point, He went to bed, or He wouldn’t be able to arise early
the next morning. I’d like to know what time He went to bed
that night, 10? midnight? 3am?, and what time did He get up in
the morning? When He went off to pray by Himself, did He fall
asleep for part of His prayers? The Bible does not imply this.
He just leaves in the morning for other villages. Doesn’t He need
any sleep?

so what struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[06convert]

The first reading says that Jesus freed all those, who through
fear of death, had been subject to slavery all their life. Well,
this is evidenced in the apostles, who were afraid of death, but
after they saw Jesus rose from the dead, and they received the
Holy Spirit, they weren’t afraid any more, and preached openly.
What I would like to know is, did Jesus free Himself also from the
fear of death, or suffering? After seeing what it’s like to die and
rise from the dead, I’d like to know if He would still beg His
Father to let this cup pass Him by, or not? Or, having experienced such severe suffering, would He want even more to
avoid it?

I don’t think so. He knew what he had to do. This caused him great anxiety no doubt, but I’m not sure he was ever afraid. Fear of death would suggest that he didn’t fully trust God, which we know can’t be true. He had no reason to fear, he knew where he was going and understood that better than anyone. As for the suffering, again, he knew the reason for it, I’m not sure he was afraid of this either. His heart was probably pounding in anticipation of the pain he was about to endure. Jesus loves us soo much I’m sure he would do it again in a second for us. However, he’s probably glad God’s plan only called for this one time.

Part of the psalm says that “throughout the earth, His judgements prevail.” What are those judgements today that
are prevailing in the earth? Doesn’t it seem like they are
mostly Not prevailing, and we have to keep praying, “let you
kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” because it’s
clearly not here yet.

No doubt we are in a spiritual battle. A battle in which we are far outnumbered. However, we have God, a very formittable weapon against evil. No matter what, God will win. His will be done. This is one judgement that will always prevail.

The book of Mark is the most entertaining of all the gospels to
me(even though my favorite is Matthew). Some people recommend reading the book of John first to those just beginning, but I think that’s a mistake. John is the most difficult to understand, while Mark spends much time just showing you what happened in order. Today, He’s just left the synagogue, and
spent the rest of the night healing people. I wonder how late He
was up that night? It seems like after His first public encounter
with the dark side of the spirit world, He would be exhausted and
just want to sleep if He could. Instead, all evening people kept
coming to the door to be healed, and He healed them all. At
one point, He went to bed, or He wouldn’t be able to arise early
the next morning. I’d like to know what time He went to bed
that night, 10? midnight? 3am?, and what time did He get up in
the morning? When He went off to pray by Himself, did He fall
asleep for part of His prayers? The Bible does not imply this.
He just leaves in the morning for other villages. Doesn’t He need
any sleep?

His human nature would suggest that he needed sleep. However curing the sick, was what he did. It was part of the reason he was here. Think if you were doing the one thing you were born to do. How late could you stay up doing that? How much sleep would you need before you could get up and do it again?

Here is something really tricky to think about. God transcends time. Jesus could have very well healed a thousand people in the matter of seconds. Have time to pray for each person in the world individually, and still have plenty of rest.

 

[Light_Seeker]

What I would like to know is, did Jesus free Himself also from the
fear of death, or suffering? After seeing what it’s like to die and
rise from the dead, I’d like to know if He would still beg His
Father to let this cup pass Him by, or not? Or, having experienced such severe suffering, would He want even more to
avoid it?

I’ve had the true pleasure & learning experience to work with many terminal patients & advanced elderly, most of whom died within days to months of my first meeting with them. In nearly all cases of *true *believers, they did not fear death, in fact, most longed for it. And welcomed it, not necessarily to end their physical sufferings, but had an acceptance of death, with realization that it is the final journey to be with the Lord.

This is a hard concept for most healthy people to comprehend. We fear death because because of the unknown. Whens my time? Will I suffer? How will I be judged - do I have the ticket to heaven or hell? What is hell really like? What is purgatory really like? How long? Will I suffer in purgatory? What will heaven be like? Will I meet my loved ones? Even though some of us may be sure of the final destination, the unknowns are sometimes fearful.

But Jesus knew all those answers. He had no fear of the unknown … everything was known. But what did he fear then to ask for the cup to passeth by? I believe his plea was as a man, knowing the pain of his upcoming passion which he must endure.

Would he do it again, as you ask? Consider child bearing. Many women are in excruciating pain for many hours, even with the strongest of epidurals. And a few months later, they want to do it all over again. The pain is forgotten, but the end result never will be

What are those judgements today that
are prevailing in the earth? Doesn’t it seem like they are
mostly Not prevailing, and we have to keep praying, “let you
kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” because it’s
clearly not here yet.

Seems that way sometimes, doesn’t it?
If you read the rest of this psalm, you’ll see the judgments to be praised David is referring to are all historical. So then are these judgments still with us?

In David’s OT era, the commandments were written in physical stone, and God’s judgment was visible, and often real-time. You break a commandment & go worship a golden cow, God would smote you. Even David’s enemies feared the Jew’s God, they witnessed his power.

But under the new covenant, God is no longer visible to our senses. Doesn’t mean He’s not with us! We have the Holy Spirit working for us. Commandments are written in our hearts, not on stone. And our judgment may sometimes not be immediate, or known immediately, but we will be judged!

Cheeto1, you have a true gift of asking questions I never considered, making me go back, re-read, and contemplate!
Thank you for you efforts

 

[cheeto1]

Here is something really tricky to think about. God transcends time. Jesus could have very well healed a thousand people in the matter of seconds. Have time to pray for each person in the world individually, and still have plenty of rest.

I give you a lot of credit if you can wrap your brain around that.
But – did He transcend time as a man, here on earth? Have
you seen anything in the Bible(other than this one) that made
you think He was living outside the bonds of time?

 

[cheeto1]

Would he do it again, as you ask?

I didn’t really think of that question…
I just wondered if His fear had been defeated in His mind,
or justified and intensified.
I met a woman pregnant with her 8th child. She said she was
afraid of the coming pain.