{"id":2730,"date":"2015-07-04T23:20:44","date_gmt":"2015-07-04T23:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=2730"},"modified":"2015-07-04T23:20:44","modified_gmt":"2015-07-04T23:20:44","slug":"commentary-on-the-14th-sunday-of-the-year-b-5th-july-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-the-14th-sunday-of-the-year-b-5th-july-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on the 14th Sunday of the year (B) 5th July 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEA: T<\/strong>ext, E<\/strong>xplanation, A<\/strong>pplication<\/p>\n

TEXT\u00a0 Mark 6:1\u20136<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rejection of Jesus<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, \u201cWhere did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

And they took offence at him<\/em> [JB: \u201cand they would not accept him<\/em>\u201d].<\/p>\n

Reaction of Jesus<\/strong><\/p>\n

4 And Jesus said to them, \u201cA prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.\u201d 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief.<\/em><\/p>\n

And he went about among the villages teaching. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

To this point Mark\u2019s Gospel has had an Introduction (Mk. 1: 1\u201313) and two sections. The first section (Mk. 1: 14 \u2014 3: 6) treated of Jesus\u2019 liberating word and his work of healing. It ended (3: 1\u20136) with the religious leaders rejecting him. The second section (Mk. 3: 7 \u2014 6: 6) dealt with Jesus\u2019 parables and miracles and ended with today\u2019s Gospel reading (Mk. 6: 1\u20136) which tells of the ordinary people of his hometown rejecting him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

1 He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe went away from there and came to his own country;<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus left the western or Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee and went inland to his home town of Nazareth. This was a small village of about one hundred or one hundred and fifty people. Everyone would know all the others and indeed most would have been inter\u2013related by marriage.<\/p>\n

Jesus went to Nazareth, his home village or town, so that the disciples would see how the inhabitants would accept him when he preached. He knew that his followers thought that he would be well received and accepted.<\/p>\n

Jesus had two special reasons for preaching in Nazareth. First he had a missionary intention; he wanted to instruct and win over the inhabitants. Second, he was about to send out the apostle on their first missionary exercise and he wished to let them see that even he was not well received by the people whom he knew and grew up with. That would be an important lesson for the Twelve.<\/p>\n

\u201cand his disciples followed him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 His disciples, who were not from Nazareth, \u201cfollowed him<\/em>\u201d. He was preparing them for their first missionary outreach (Mk. 6: 7+).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, \u201cWhere did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue\u201d\u2013 <\/em>Jesus went to preach in the synagogue, the place for reading sacred scripture [Old Testament] and prayer. This was most likely in Nazareth, his home town, where his family was well known. However it is not actually stated that this was where this synagogue was situated. But from the dialogue it is clear that it must have been where he grew up and all knew him.<\/p>\n

Teaching by Jesus is a major theme in Mark\u2019s Gospel. He speaks of Jesus as teacher in Mk. 1: 21; 4: 1; 6: 2, 6; 11: 17; 12: 35; 14: 49. His teaching and healings caused amazement: Mk. 1: 22, 27; 6: 2; 7: 37; 10: 26, 11: 18.<\/p>\n

\u201cand many who heard him were astonished<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The word \u201castonished\u201d is translated as \u201cperplexed\u201d by some. Others were impressed. They had no objections to his teaching. What they objected to was himself. That is why they put forward five questions which were identity enquiries about his background, seeking personal and detailed information on Jesus. The identity of Jesus is a major theme in Mark\u2019s Gospel (Mk. 1: 24, 27; 2: 7; 4: 41; 8: 4; 11: 28).<\/p>\n

(i) \u201cWhere did this man get all this?<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The first question concerned the source of Jesus\u2019 knowledge and power: \u201cwhere<\/em>\u201d. The listeners had heard of his reputation as teacher and healer from reports that emanated out of Capernaum (Mk. 1: 21\u201328). Many from other places were claiming that he was one of the great prophets from the past come back (Mk. 6: 15; 8: 28). The villagers of Nazareth were curious to know the source of his power and authority and who his teacher was. The obvious answer should have been that God was his source because of the nature of what he said and did. The synagogue congregation did not accept that as becomes clear in what follows.<\/p>\n

(ii) \u201cWhat is the wisdom given to him?<\/em>\u201d \u2013This second question referred to his words: How could he be so profound when he never studied at advance level: \u201cwhat<\/em>\u201d is the nature of the knowledge his source had given to him?<\/p>\n

(iii) \u201cWhat mighty works are wrought by his hands?<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This third question referred to his deeds or miracles: Whose agent was he when he worked miracles?<\/p>\n

The following two questions coloured their answer.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

(iv) \u201cIs not this the carpenter?<\/em>\u201d \u2014 There was resentment that a carpenter, a menial, manual labourer could be so wise and powerful.<\/p>\n

\u201cthe son of Mary<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This is the only reference to Mary by name in Mark\u2019s Gospel. Jews would have described a son in relation to his father, \u2018the son of Joseph\u2019. That they referred to Jesus as \u201cthe son of Mary<\/em>\u201d would have been an insult (Jdg. 11: 1+). The theory, purely speculative, has been put forward that the expression may indicate that Joseph was deceased for some time.<\/p>\n

\u201cbrother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?<\/em> \u2014 In Hebrew and Aramaic there were no distinctive terms for degrees of family relationship. As a consequence \u201cbrother<\/em>\u201d was used of brothers, nephews, cousins and other degrees. Nowadays \u201cbrother<\/em>\u201d has become popular in addressing male equals and \u201csister<\/em>\u201d in addressing female equals.<\/p>\n

Lot, the nephew of Abraham, was referred to as his brother, not his nephew. (Gn. 13: 8; 14: 14, 16).<\/p>\n

Laban was called the brother of Jacob though he was his uncle (Gn. 29: 15). There are many more examples from the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

\u201cJames and Joses\u201d<\/em> were sons of Mary, wife of Clopas, (Mt. 27: 56). \u201cJames<\/em>\u201d was most likely the first Bishop of Jerusalem, not one of the Twelve.<\/p>\n

\u201cJudas<\/em>\u201d may have been the author of the New Testament Letter of Jude<\/em> where he describes himself as \u201cbrother<\/em>\u201d of James (Jude<\/em>, v. 1). He might also be \u201cthe son of James<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 6: 16).<\/p>\n

\u201cSimon<\/em>\u201d may have been Simon the Canaanite (Mt. 10: 4).<\/p>\n

(v) And are not his sisters here with us?<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The sisters are not named. Mentioning Mary and the family of Jesus is meant to show how ordinary Jesus was, a typical small villager.<\/p>\n

Jesus is described as \u201cthe son of Mary<\/em>\u201d (singular case): Mk. 6: 3; Mt. 13: 55. On the cross Jesus gave his mother to John the Apostle and gave John to Mary. If he had other family it would be expected that he would have placed her in their care.<\/p>\n

The question of the perpetual virginity of Mary is often questioned by these references to \u201cbrothers<\/em>\u201d and \u201csisters<\/em>\u201d. The Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em> states (499):<\/p>\n

\u201cThe deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary\u2019s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ\u2019s birth did not diminish his mother\u2019s virginal integrity but sanctified it. And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as the ever\u2013Virgin\u201d.<\/p>\n

The text continues (CCC<\/em>, 500):<\/p>\n

\u201cAgainst this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus. The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And they took offence at him<\/em> [JB: \u201cand they would not accept him<\/em>\u201d].<\/strong><\/p>\n

The reaction of the listeners was scepticism, conflict and total rejection of Jesus. Their objection to him was that they knew his family and could not accept that from such an ordinary background Jesus could have had such wisdom, authority and power as they had heard of from Capernaum.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus had availed of the synagogues to teach and work certain miracles such as exorcisms (Mk. 1: 23\u201328, 29) and the cure of a man with a withered hand (Mk. 3: 1\u20136).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

4 And Jesus said to them, \u201cA prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin<\/em> [JB: \u201crelations<\/em>\u201d], and in his own house.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

And Jesus said to them, \u201cA prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus quotes a well\u2013known proverb to explain his rejection. He had been accepted elsewhere but in his home\u2013town among the people he had grown up with and lived with he was not acceptable. We might say that for them \u2018He was too good to be true!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he could do no mighty work there\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Because of their lack of faith, Jesus could not perform any miraculous healings or cures.<\/p>\n

\u201cexcept that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The exception mentioned shows that he had the power but those without faith limited his exercise of his power.<\/p>\n

And he marvelled because of their unbelief.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus was amazed that some people would close themselves to God\u2019s word and power presented so vividly by him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And he went about among the villages teaching.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he went about among the villages teaching.<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The townspeople dismissed Jesus; he had no alternative but to leave them to their preference. Just because people would not listen to him did not prevent Jesus from going elsewhere to preach. The lesson for us is that because people may not agree with or accept what we say should not prevent or silence us from letting them know the \u201cgood news\u201d and what it implies.<\/p>\n

After this rejection Jesus did not enter a synagogue again. Nor did he ever return to Nazareth.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s Gospel opens with the words \u201cThe beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God<\/em>\u201d (Mk. 1: 1). Verse one is his title for his Gospel. The word \u201cJesus<\/em>\u201d means \u2018Saviour\u2019; the word \u201cChrist<\/em>\u201d is the Greek for the Aramaic word \u2018Messiah\u2019. Mark\u2019s purpose in writing was to show his readers that Jesus is the Saviour, the Messiah, and the Son of God. As Mark recorded different teachings and events performed by Jesus, people were filled with awe and amazement and spontaneously asked the question, \u2018Who is this?\u2019 As we read individual passages in his Gospel we ought to ask that question for ourselves, \u2018What aspect of Jesus is Mark putting before us?\u2019 Mark wished to impart a very personal understanding of Jesus\u2019 true identity and, as a consequence, each reader could enter into a deep interpersonal relationship with him.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Reading brings this to the fore in a special way. Mark had the townspeople of Nazareth ask five questions about Jesus. For them, he was a very ordinary human person, no different from any other villager. He was perfectly and completely human, not special or exceptional. For employment, he was a carpenter, nothing extraordinary. He came from a very usual family background: he was the son of Mary, a well known woman; he had a large and normal extended family whom everyone knew. The fact that there was nothing exceptional about him was, for many of them, a very good reason to reject him. They never answered their own questions. For them it was quite clear that no one from their village could have extraordinary wisdom and power. That he might have divine wisdom and power was so ridiculous, they never gave it a thought. For them, when he spoke, he spoke as a carpenter; he spoke like any of the other villagers, a very ordinary fellow.<\/p>\n

Jesus answered their questions. He declared that he was rejected by them because he was like a \u201cprophet\u201d<\/em>. It was fairly generally held that Jesus was a prophet (Mk. 6: 15; 8: 28). But he never claimed this title nor did any of the sacred writers ascribe it to him. English\u2013speakers are accustomed to describe a prophet as one who foretells the future. In the Bible this would not necessarily be the case. A prophet was one who communicated divine revelation; he introduced people to God. It was presumed that he was in conversation with God or inspired by him and passed on God\u2019s message in God\u2019s name. Many prophecies opened with the words \u201cThe Lord says this<\/em>\u201d. Jesus never used words like that. He always spoke in his own name, \u201cI say this to you<\/em>\u201d. He claimed divine power to work his miracles.<\/p>\n

The villagers of Nazareth did not reject what Jesus said or did; they simply ignored his words and miracles because they were not willing to accept him. It was Jesus that they rejected. For them it was not a matter of judging what<\/em> was said or done but who<\/em> said it or did it.<\/p>\n

Already Mark had shown that the religious authorities were seeking to destroy Jesus (Mk. 3: 6). Now his own townspeople rejected him. Further scenes followed with other groups refusing to accept him. Mark was preparing his disciples and readers for the passion and death of Jesus. People were so opposed to him that they were willing to crucify him. After his death some people continued this opposition but in different forms. They would say many things to deny the crucifixion. One was that Jesus did not have a real body, that he was not really human. Today\u2019s Gospel gives the witness of his own hostile townspeople that he was fully human, like themselves in every way. Unknowingly they became witnesses to the authenticity of the crucifixion and that Jesus is our Saviour, a reason for Mark writing his Gospel (Mk. 1: 1).<\/p>\n

\u201cBelief in the true Incarnation of the Son of God is the distinguishing sign of Christian faith\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 463). \u201cThe unique and altogether singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus Christ is part God and part man, nor does it imply that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became truly man while remaining truly God. Jesus is true God and true man\u201d (CCC<\/em>, 464).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEA: Text, Explanation, Application TEXT\u00a0 Mark 6:1\u20136 \u00a0 Setting 1 He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. Rejection of Jesus 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, \u201cWhere did this man get all<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2732,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2730"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2730\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2733,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2730\/revisions\/2733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}