Sunday 6/21 Gospel (Mk 4:38)

[millstreet]

We’re given the interpretation that we need not be afraid because Jesus is always with us, period. Seen or unseen, awake or asleep, it is about Him and not about what He can do for us visibly. So the question arises, why did He feel it necessary then to still the winds and water? Judging by the last sentence of the passage, “what sort of man is this…”, the disciplines appear to have missed the point of the story. The other question is what of the other boats? Mark makes a point of noting other boats were out on the water with His. Did they also experience the squall, or was it a sort of “targeted” storm like the proverbial gray cloud over the disciples’ boat specifically?

 

[Neofight]

**To question 1: **
The incident was to show to his disciples he (Jesus) was God, and not just man (hence, “what sort of man Is this”). And, yes, it does appear to be lost on them (as it often is lost on us, even though we have seen the power of Christ). As you read more of the gospels, you will find that regardless of miracles and signs, the disciples lose sight of Christ’s divinity,;throughout the public ministry, the passion, and even his resurrection and ascension…they never really get it without backsliding until after the ascension and just before (or certainly at least, after) the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

To question 2:

See Catechism of the Catholic Church 115-17

Rationally, we might conclude all those in proximity experienced the storm and the calming. However if we read from an anagogical context, your conclusion that it might have been a “targeted” event is entirely reasonable.

Peace and all good!

 

[Bruce_Killian]

We’re given the interpretation that we need not be afraid because Jesus is always with us, period. Seen or unseen, awake or asleep, it is about Him and not about what He can do for us visibly. So the question arises, why did He feel it necessary then to still the winds and water? Judging by the last sentence of the passage, “what sort of man is this…”, the disciplines appear to have missed the point of the story. The other question is what of the other boats? Mark makes a point of noting other boats were out on the water with His. Did they also experience the squall, or was it a sort of “targeted” storm like the proverbial gray cloud over the disciples’ boat specifically?

Jesus sleeping in the boat is typical of Jesus dead in His tomb, this is the only time Jesus is said to be sleeping (by the way He is sleeping because He spent much of the previous night in prayer) As Jesus conquered Satan at the resurrection so Jesus overcomes Legion (6000) unclean spirits as soon as He lands, and if this is the first day, on the third day He raises Jairus’ daughter from the day, typifying His resurrection. As the resurrected Lord He has power over death, nature, Satan, etc.
Grace and peace,
Bruce

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Jesus sleeping in the boat is typical of Jesus dead in His tomb, this is the only time Jesus is said to be sleeping (by the way He is sleeping because He spent much of the previous night in prayer) As Jesus conquered Satan at the resurrection so Jesus overcomes Legion (6000) unclean spirits as soon as He lands, and if this is the first day, on the third day He raises Jairus’ daughter from the day, typifying His resurrection. As the resurrected Lord He has power over death, nature, Satan, etc.
Grace and peace,
Bruce

Bruce, your posts are so insightful! Please keep posting here because you are really full of the Holy Spirit and I am learning so much from what you are showing us.

 

[Bruce_Killian]

Bruce, your posts are so insightful! Please keep posting here because you are really full of the Holy Spirit and I am learning so much from what you are showing us.

Christine,
That was very nice of you to say. So here is a link between these stories, that one does not see unless one looks at the bigger picture.
This gospel comes immediately after Jesus started to tell parables and the first parable He told was the parable of the sower and the seed and the soil types (Mark 4). And following this there are five stories that illustrate the four types of soil. The first seed is on the path where the birds of the air (Satan) comes away and takes away the word in their hearts, when He lands He meets the two men who have had the seed taken from their heart by demons. Jesus’ corrects that issue and at least one newly fertile soil now goes preaching the good news. Jesus then recrosses the sea (Mark 5) and encounters to people who have their physical fruitfulness, compromised, the 12 year old girl has died right at the age when she would be becoming to the age to be fruitful in the bearing of children (the soil shallow soil that sprouts and dies). Jesus then heals the woman with the flow of blood (so she could not marry, or participate in society because she was always unclean, but she is still young because Jesus calls her daughter, so by healing her he restores her to physical (and presumable spiritual) fruitfulness (the soil choked by thorns). the last two stories (good soil) are Jesus going to his home town (Mark 6) and unable to do much because of their lack of faith, so unless the soil cooperates it is still unproductive, and finally Jesus sends his disciples out and they are greatly productive, (Mark 6:13) healing and preaching. So the soil was receptive and so would be productive in time.
Grace and peace,
Bruce

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Christine,
That was very nice of you to say. So here is a link between these stories, that one does not see unless one looks at the bigger picture.
This gospel comes immediately after Jesus started to tell parables and the first parable He told was the parable of the sower and the seed and the soil types (Mark 4). And following this there are five stories that illustrate the four types of soil. The first seed is on the path where the birds of the air (Satan) comes away and takes away the word in their hearts, when He lands He meets the two men who have had the seed taken from their heart by demons. Jesus’ corrects that issue and at least one newly fertile soil now goes preaching the good news. Jesus then recrosses the sea (Mark 5) and encounters to people who have their physical fruitfulness, compromised, the 12 year old girl has died right at the age when she would be becoming to the age to be fruitful in the bearing of children (the soil shallow soil that sprouts and dies). Jesus then heals the woman with the flow of blood (so she could not marry, or participate in society because she was always unclean, but she is still young because Jesus calls her daughter, so by healing her he restores her to physical (and presumable spiritual) fruitfulness (the soil choked by thorns). the last two stories (good soil) are Jesus going to his home town (Mark 6) and unable to do much because of their lack of faith, so unless the soil cooperates it is still unproductive, and finally Jesus sends his disciples out and they are greatly productive, (Mark 6:13) healing and preaching. So the soil was receptive and so would be productive in time.
Grace and peace,
Bruce

Wow, it make so much sense, but I never saw this until you pointed it out. Thanks!