Pentecost 9 (year B proper 12)- Mark 6:45-56

The Gospel for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost this year is Mark 6:45-56. The passage has two distinct sections. There is the account of Jesus walking on water and an account of healings in Gennesaret, across the Sea of Galilee from Jewish Galilee. In differing ways, both accounts point to the divine nature and ministry of Jesus the Christ. Briefly, I would focus on the miracle of Jesus walking on the water.

The disciples are in a boat on the great lake, and in the winds, they have trouble crossing. In the wee hours of the morning, Jesus comes walking on the water. At first, they don't recognize Him and cry out in fear, Then, He enters the boat, and the winds subside. The disciples are astounded because they still do not understand who He really is. They have seen numerous miracles, including the miracle of the loaves and fish, but they still do not "get it." They have not really acknowledged even to themselves that Jesus is unique. He is more than just a great prophet, teacher, and healer. He is God present with them. He is Lord over nature and natural law. The disciples still need to grow in faith. 

Down through the ages, many Christians have been and still are like those hesitant and fearful disciples. We still need to grow in our understanding of Jesus. It is good to appreciate His prophetic words and teachings. It is right to acknowledge His healing power and His compassionate feeding of the hungry. However, such affirmations are only a beginning. True disciples must trust in His higher and deeper identity. Jesus Christ is God present with us. He is ruler over all nature, and He is Lord of our lives! And He can do things that our worldly minds consider impossible!

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (year B)- Mark 6:1-13

The Gospel for this Sunday is from Mark 6:1-13. The selection contains two sections: a) Mark 6:1-6, Jesus being rejected at Nazareth, and b) Mark 6:7-13, Jesus sending out the twelve Apostles. 

In the first section, we see Jesus teaching in His hometown synagogue. His old acquaintances are not favorably impressed. In fact, they take offense. "And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them." (Mark 6: 4-5 ESV). In this case, familiarity breeds contempt, and the unbelief of the people at Nazareth hinders any great manifestation of His ministry. After showing compassion by healing a few individuals, Jesus moves on to minister elsewhere. Even as presented by Jesus Himself, the Gospel is not always accepted.

In the second section, Jesus sends out the Twelve in pairs with instructions for their work on His behalf. Again we see that Christ's Gospel will not be universally accepted. He warns the Apostles, "And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11 ESV). Yet, the overall result was positive. The Apostles proclaimed the message of repentance, cast out demons and healed many of the sick.

Thus, in this Sunday's Gospel from Mark 6, we see the two-sided  results of the proclamation of Christ's message. Neither in the New Testament nor in our times does the Christian proclamation meet with universal acceptance. In many places, people do not believe. Some are doubtful or skeptical;  some are plainly hostile. Nevertheless, some people have their hearts opened by grace, and when that happens, there is repentance, faith and many cases of spiritual and physical healing.