Word to the Wise
Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Thursday in the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7 and Mark 3:7-12][Jesus] told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known. [Mark]
JANUARY 22 DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN
The gospels, as well as the rest of the New Testament, represent the earliest preaching of the disciples who knew Jesus or those who heard them speak of Jesus. Each of the four gospels is a "portrait" of Jesus and reflects the way the author wished to tell the story under the influence of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel According to Mark, Jesus is shown to be extremely cautious about the use of a messianic title in his regard during his ministry. Biblical scholars debate the various reasons for this "messianic secret," but the gospel makes it clear that a true understanding of Jesus comes with his death and resurrection, and not with any of the various interpretations of "messiah" that were part of Jewish political/cultural understanding. Ultimately, the occupying Roman authorities, perhaps convinced by Jesus' adversaries, saw him as a potential threat and executed him.
The history of Christianity testifies to the development in the understanding of Jesus as Lord/Savior/Messiah. Some of our contemporary theological understanding would seem strange to the original disciples! The Nicene Creed was not composed until 325 A.D.! Jesus' identity as both human and divine was finally declared in 451 A.D.. All of this was in response to various interpretations of Jesus that were considered untrue. We, in our time, have those definitions and church authority to guide us, but the mystery of God's plan of salvation will continue to unfold until the end of time when Jesus returns! AMEN
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