As always on Sundays in Ordinary Time, the Old Testament reading illumines today’s gospel. In the longer form Jesus performs two healings; in the book of wisdom proclaims our God the God of life, who “fashioned all things that they might be have being” and formed human beings in “the image of his own nature,” to be “imperishable” (Wisdom 1:14; 2:23). people of faith therefore choose to live gods “undying justice (righteousness”) (1:15) in this mortal life, thus beginning, even now, the undying life for which we were created. To choose otherwise to choose the other side: the devil in death 2:25. Mark presents the two healings as a story within a story, a “story sandwich,” a literary device that reinforces his message for those who originally would’ve heard not read the story. Mark wants to emphasize any central truth of his gospel: that Jesus does not perform miracles to compel faith, but rather that faith proceeds healing.

So we reenter ordinary time already knowing that Jesus is the son of God (see the centurion‘s words at the end of the Palm Sunday passion reading from Mark‘s gospel), the long succession of Sunday’s confronts us again with the question that each Christian community, each individual Christian faces continually throughout life: “who is this?“ (Mark 4:41), and prompts and “examination of conscience“ regarding the practical consequences of our response. this year‘s Gospel readings from Mark suggest that we find our answer in the cross and in the Eucharist. Today’s stark challenge to Jesus’ call to discipleship is thankfully balanced by the comfort we can take in relating – perhaps only too well – to the disciples’ fears. Thou we welcome Jesus in word and Eucharist Sunday after Sunday, don’t we all, from time to time during our lives’ “ordinary time,“ experience Jesus‘s “real absence”?

Today’s scriptures connect the towering cedars of Lebanon from the prophet Ezekiel to the mustard plant of the famous parable of Jesus. Both plants represent the kingdom of God. Both are also to be understood as symbols of the church, where "birds of every kind shall dwell" (Ez 17:23) and shelter in the cedar's branches, and the shade of the mustard plant's large branches provide dwelling for the birds of the sky. Even today’s psalm tells of the just one who is like a cedar flourishing in the house of the Lord.

In presenting the still-familiar four-fold "Shape of the Eucharist" — Jesus takes / blesses / breaks / gives (Mark 14:22) — Mark omits Matthew's specification of purpose "for the forgiveness of sins," and Luke's "for the remembrance of me." But Jesus does recall the covenant, Israel's liberation from Egypt's slavery. And could the disciples - or we - fail to recall that, in Mark's earliest verses, "Jesus sits at table with tax collectors and those known as sinners" (2:15)? Mark also emphasizes the Eucharist as our participation in Jesus' passion and pledge of our share in his future glory.

Astonishing is the term that Clement of Alexandria used in referring to the Holy Trinity. Today’s scriptures tell the astonishing stories, from Moses in the Old Testament to the end of Matthew’s Gospel, of how we mere humans are intended to be intimately associated with our loving God. We see in Deuteronomy that Moses reminds the new generation of Israelites of the “astonishing” fact that, even though the ancient world teemed with gods, their God was the only God, that “there is no other.” Saint Paul in the letter to the Romans write about those who follow the Spirit as being “sons” of God, which of course would make us brothers and sisters of Christ, and, as he says, “joint heirs with Christ.” Another astonishing statement! Finally, Christ bestows the Holy Spirit on the world as his continuing presence and force of divine revelation. How can we not be astonished?

Come Holy Spirit! Today we celebrate Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples and an all who are baptized. We also commemorate the birth of the church. Before Pentecost, the disciples remain hidden and uncertain; at Pentecost, those who were gathered were filled with the spirit and proclaim the wonders of the good news of Christ to all. The spirit guides us to the truth of Christ's love and mercy and strengthens us to live us disciples. Without the Holy Spirit, we would perish; with the Spirit, we have life to the full. Relying on the Spirit, we are given the grace to turn away from the many temptations that we face each day and prefer instead what is it good and holy. Come Holy Spirit Come!

There is a certain, sacred order to the way God envisions our place in the world. We are created inn love, for love. As disciples of Jesus Christ, God’s love is at the heart of all we are, have, and do. Peter was concerned that this holy order be restored following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Jesus’ selection of twelve apostles was significant for the Jewish people, a harkening to the twelve tribes of Israel.  In prayerfully discerning Matthias as the twelfth apostle, the bothers made certain that God’s holly order would prevail. Their witness ensured that Christ’s love would be shared and embraced to all the world and throughout time.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus likens our relationship with him to a plant with many Love. Songs and books, plays and artistic masterpieces have been created to convey the truth that love is real. As Christians, we know that love is of God. In laying down his life, Jesus pours out God’s selfless, sacrificial, undying love. Jesus opens the door to a new relationship between God and humanity, that of friendship, of intimate closeness. Jesus calls us to show this same love for others, knowing that in doing so, we fulfill God’s will. As the account of Peter, Cornelius, and all in his household attests, this great love of God cannot be contained by our preconceived notions of the way things are in the world.

In today’s gospel, Jesus likens our relationship with him to a plant with many branches. We, the branches, are called to remain so close to Jesus that we bear fruit, loving one another as Christ loves us. Saul for the fruit of his faith through powerful witness that drew others to Christ. And the branches that grew into the early church were extraordinarily fruitful. What is the fruit of your faith in Jesus Christ?

There’s nothing like belonging. Many of our deepest experiences in life are of the belonging we feel among family or close friends. We may experience belonging within our parish, even saying we are “at home“ in our faith community. Sometimes we say we belong to a school alumni Association or social club. Our deepest belonging however is in the heart of God. We are God's children, precious in God sight. We are so treasured that Jesus laid down his life for us. Knowing that we belong to God and Jesus Christ gives us a new eternal perspective on life. Peter understood this when he explained that his healing of the man who had been disabled from birth have been accomplished through Christ. Jesus describes the relationship between him and those who believe in him in intimate terms – we who were in relationship with Christ know that our very lives depend upon him.

Peter saw Jesus after the resurrection. He listened as Jesus told the disciples all that have been written about him in the Scriptures, all that he had said and done when he was ministering among them. Peter heard how Jesus said fulfilled all in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus the Messiah had come to be among them to bring them peace, to offer forgiveness of their sins. Peter shared this good news with the crowd together to hear him tell the secret story, the story of God’s love, poured out and Jesus the Christ and offered to the whole world. All who here and believe her offer new life, life in which God’s love is perfect in them. Are you listening? Are you ready to share in this abundant new life?

What a difference faith makes! The faith of the early community of believers led them to rise beyond the selfishness that so many of us struggle with as they group and communion with Christ and one another. They did not find the Commandments burdensome, but rather centered their lives on the love of God and neighbor that Jesus taught through his life, death, and resurrection. It is good for us to remember that faith is a gift. The journey of faith is not always straightforward and is often marked by doubt and moments of weakness. The apostles’ faith grew as they experience the risen Jesus. Jesus surely knew they needed the peace he offered in the presence of the Holy Spirit, as do we who have not seen the Lord and yet have come to believe in him.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Imagine the flood of emotions that Mary of Magdala must have experienced on that first Easter morning. Grieving and yet determined to visit the place where Jesus' body had been laid. Mary would have been stunned to find the tomb empty. Imagine Simon Peter and the other disciple who, upon hearing Mary's announcement, ran to see for themselves. On Easter, we hear the story of Jesus' resurrection as through for the first time, through the account of Mary's discover and the testimony of Peter who powerfully shared Christ's Paschal Mystery. We, too, have come to believe through their faithful witness. We are called to see what is above, turn away from sin, and live as people who are forever transformed by the Good News of Jesus' resurrection.