Word to the Wise
Thursday, January 12, 2012 - Thursday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 4:1-11 and Mark 1:40-45]See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.
Today's gospel scripture features the healing of a leper. The past couple of days, we saw the healing of Simon's mother-in-law and a man possessed by a demon. Jesus begins his ministry with quite a display of his divine power. Yet, as we see in today's incident and in others, Jesus continually admonishes the people he helps not to talk about it! Of course, he gets mixed, if any, results from that! What scripture scholars have called "the Messianic secret" in the Gospel of Mark seems strange. We do know that Jesus shows impatience with those who keep wanting "signs" instead of listening to his teachings about the kingdom. There are those then and now whose faith depends on the spectacular rather than day to day loving.
The evangelist seems also to have in mind that the story of Jesus' life is not complete till his death and resurrection. Therefore a true knowledge of him and belief in him depends on recognizing him after his death and resurrection. This is why the apostles seem to be slow to recognize him at times. We, however, have had the centuries of reflection and faith to instruct us. Why, at times, do we need the spectacular to accept the teaching of Jesus? Was not the resurrection enough? The Gospel of Mark will be our principal gospel this liturgical year. Our recognition of Jesus will be tested. AMEN