Living on the Edge

Mark 2: 13-27

Jesus calls the tax collector.

Jesus is walking along the sea...If you are walking along the sea you are at the edge of the water. Jesus was on the edge with his message too. He chose to preach a message of love, healing, and mercy. He chose to deliver this message to lepers, paralytics, prostitutes, and now tax collectors.
Tax collectors were not your most likely followers of Jesus. The tax collectors were considered by some to be in the the category of sinners.

Jesus was 'living on the edge'.

To live on the edge is an idiom which means to have a type of life in which

you are often involved in exciting or dangerous activities.

Jesus placed himself in exciting and dangerous situations throughout his public ministry. He was not fearful of confrontation. He was not concerned with what others thougth about his actions.

He was certainly aware as word spread to all of what he was saying and doing. He knew his personal safety was in jeopardy, but he kept calmly moving among the peoples. He was busy about his father's business....spreading love and compassion.

As Jesus walked along the edge of the sea he was able to see the solid land on one side and the fluid water on the other hand. On the edge he was part of both; he could see the contrast. He is always able to see the contrast between good and evil. He is able to see the contrast within a person's soul. He is able to see the contrast in what you say and in how you live your life.

He is able to see the contrast between what we appear to be and what we are really.

This can bring a certain amount of comfort...knowing that your intentions are clearly seen by God. Some choose to ignore or deny this quality about God.

We can live our life on the edge too...stand up for what you know to be truth...speak kindly of others...express appreciation for the small things in your life...love without boundaries.

I chose this image of a person walking on the beach in order to capture the contrast of land and sea.

This kaleidoscope image shows both edges along the hexagon and contrasting colors.



Astounded...Wonder and Awe

In today's scripture we have another recounting of the healing ministry of Jesus.
(Mark 1:40-45, 2:1-12)
Yesterday we saw him going out to the land of the lepers. Lepers, by necessity were set apart, out cast from the community at large. It was not a virtual separation it was very real and visible.

http://www.ucatholic.com/category/readings/
Here is a link to the daily readings I thought you might appreciate.

I can relate to this separation because when I was four I contracted polio and my parents were plunged into a place of separation. In that time the medical community was still trying to dertermine how one contracted polio. The friends of my family were acting out of fear; they did not want to risk being exposed to this crippling disease. It was difficult for my parents to give up some of their friendships.

With that background I can empathize with these diseased ridden lepers. It is particularly worth noting that Jesus went out to them; he sought them out for healing. While Jesus made himself available to the lepers we only see one seeking healing.

At this time Jesus was being sought after by the authorities, and yet he was willing to place himself in harms way through this healing. He admonishes the leper saying, "See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing..." The cleansing had to be verified before the leper could be accepted back into the commuity and more importantly before he could inter into the temple for worship.

Jesus 'remained in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.'

The very next chapter of Mark we encounter Jesus in a crowded room. News of his ability to heal is spreading. It is only natural to want to have your health restored, to be physically whole once again. The room was crowded and not all present had pure hearts. Not all present came to be healed some were there to trip up Jesus and criticize not only his actions, but also his intentions.

Some were filled with fear; fear for their own position in the community. Some came in judgment.

The crippled man on the mat was lowered down from the rooftop to be healed. All present "were astounded and glorified God, saying, We have never seen anything like this."

God wants to heal us, but more importantly he wants to astound us. God wants to overwhelm us with love, mercy, and healing. The dictionary includes 'shock with wonder or surprise' in defining astound. When we are astounded how can we resist giving glory to God?

There is a reason why the gifts of the Spirit include Wonder and Awe.

Butterflies represent the Wonder and Awe of God. The color green is about growth and healing.