Reflections for Ordinary Time

We all need food. It is one of our most basic needs. But it’s not just an individual need, it’s also something we need as as a society, as a community. A society that is short of food can collapse into chaos very quickly. Many, if not most, of the revolutions and drastic social disruptions […]

Jesus and the disciples are starting to suffer the challenges of fame: you are followed everywhere; you never get a moment’s peace; no time even to eat (Mk 6:30-34). Some people seek fame, most would prefer to avoid it. Princess Diana was a classic example of someone who certainly didn’t seek it and definitely suffered from

The directions Jesus gives his disciples as he sends them out seem pretty strange: “He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.” (Mk 6:7-13) For those who may start packing

Continuing with Mark’s stories about faith, today we seem to head in a different direction (Mk 6:1-6). Unlike previous stories which told of faith and healing, we are now faced with absence of faith, and no healing, or at least none that Mark thinks worthy of elaboration. Our first reading (Ez 2:2-5) further emphasizes that

In today’s Gospel reading (Mk 5:21-43) we have more stories about faith. Last week it was the disciples on the boat in the storm. Today there are two very different stories. And Mark chooses not to put them one after another, but one inside the other, as it were. He starts the story of Jairus,

“Why are you terrified?” Reading the story of the apostles in the boat during the storm, with Jesus fast asleep (I guess he was really tired!), I found myself wondering – what were they terrified about? (Mk 4:35-41) The obvious answer is the storm. But while I’m sure they would have been, Jesus has already calmed

Mark often describes Jesus explaining “the kingdom of God” in parables. Rather than be direct, Jesus uses analogies to try to get through to people who were not on his wavelength (Mk 4:26-34). We may also have a problem getting on Jesus’ wavelength, but for different reasons than his original audience.  We’re very familiar with

Easter finished two weeks ago. Eventually we do have to come down the mountain, back to “ordinary” time. And what do we find when we get here?  Ordinary life, with its ordinary challenges – relationships between men and women, relationships within families.  Our first reading (Gn 3:9-15) tells the famous (or infamous) story of how

Lepers are the classic example of social outcasts. Today’s first reading (Lv 13:1-2, 44-46) sets it out very clearly, in stern legal language. That approach, in a world where disease was a complete mystery, and disfigurement was an obvious sign of god’s displeasure, was universal. It continued for a very long time. Mother Teresa’s first

Following on from last week’s reading, where we heard about Jesus in his public persona, teaching in the local synagogue, this week we move to a very domestic situation (Mk 1:29-39). Jesus is heading home with his new friends for dinner. I always find the reference here to Simon’s mother-in-law slightly jarring. It’s like –