18th November 2020
In Chapter One, John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ. We hear the account of John baptising Jesus in the Jordan, the temptation of Jesus, how He calls His first disciples and we witness his healings and preaching.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
17th November 2020
In Chapter Two, Jesus heals a paralytic, calls Levi, son of Alphaeus, and answers a question about his disciples and why they are not fasting. We learn that the Son of Man is Lord – even of the Sabbath.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
16th November 2020
In Chapter Three, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath and the Pharisees and Herodians plot against him. A great crowd flocks to him as he has healed many. He then appoints the twelve apostles before warning that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit is guilty of an eternal sin.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
15th November 2020
In Chapter Four, we hear the Parable of the Sower and learn about the purpose of the parables. Then Jesus tells those around him, and the twelve, about the lamp under the basket and what it illustrates as well as the Parable of the Seed Growing and the Parable of the Mustard Seed.
The chapter ends with Jesus calming a storm, He rebuked the wind and the sea saying, “Peace! Be still!”
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
14th November 2020
Chapter Five is a chapter of healing. Firstly, Jesus heals a man with a demon. Then he heals a woman and Jairus’s daughter. When he tells them that the child is not dead – as they suspect – but sleeping, they laugh at him. But he says “Talitha cumi” which means “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
13th November 2020
In Chapter Six, Jesus marvels at the lack of belief shown by people in his home town of Nazareth – despite his healings. He then sends out the twelve Apostles, two by two, telling them to only take a staff — no bread, bag or money in their belts.
We learn about the death of John the Baptist, beheaded by King Herod, before Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
After this, His disciples, struggling in the sea in a strong wind, stare in amazement as Jesus walks on water. When they make landfall at Gennesaret, Jesus heals many sick people.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
12th November 2020
Chapter Seven sees Jesus tell the Pharisees and scribes that they have rejected the commandments of God to establish their own traditions. He explains what defiles a person and we learn of the Syrophoenician woman’s faith. Jesus casts a demon out of her daughter.
The chapter concludes with Jesus healing a deaf man.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
11th November 2020
Chapter Eight starts with Jesus showing compassion to the great crowd that has gathered before him. He feeds them.
Then he tells the Pharisees who want to argue with him, that they will not be given the sign they demand.
Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida before Peter, when walking with Jesus around the villages of Caesarea Philippi, confesses Jesus as the Christ.
The chapter concludes with Jesus foretelling his Death and Resurrection.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
10th November 2020
In Chapter Nine, at the top of a high mountain, Jesus is transfigured in front of Peter, James and John.
Jesus heals a boy possessed by an unclean spirit and, again, foretells his death and Resurrection.
The chapter ends with Jesus warning about the temptations to sin.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
9th November 2020
In Chapter 10, Jesus teaches the Pharisees about divorce – “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” He also rebukes his disciples for keeping the children from gathering around him.
Jesus also tells the rich young man what he must do to inherit eternal life and foretells his death a third time.
James and John, Sons of Zebedee, ask to sit at Jesus’s left and right hand in glory but he explains it is not about raising them up above others. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant”.
The chapter concludes with the healing of the blind beggar Bartimaeus.
About
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
8th November 2020
Chapter 11 sees us join Jesus as he approaches Jerusalem. He sends two of his disciples ahead to bring him a colt. He enters Jerusalem and goes into the temple. Jesus overturns the tables of the money-changers and cleanses the temple.
The fig tree he earlier curses for bearing no fruit has withered.
The chapter finishes with the chief priests and the scribes challenging Jesus’s authority.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
7th November 2020
Chapter 12 starts with Jesus speaking to the chief priests, scribes and elders in parables. He tells the Parable of the Tenants showing them that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”. Feeling the sting of criticism, they considered arresting Jesus but feared the people.
He is then visited by the Pharisees and Herodians who test him by asking whether it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.
The Sadducees ask Jesus a question about the Resurrection before one of the scribes asks about the Great Commandment. Jesus teaches in the temple and warns of the behaviour of the scribes.
The chapter concludes with the account of the poor widow’s offering. She gives two small copper coins – all she has.
Reading Mark in Advent is an 18-part podcast series that sees us upload a chapter of Mark’s Gospel each weekday of the season.
With a global pandemic sweeping the world and lockdowns and restrictions placed on our everyday living – not to mention patterns of worship and prayer – this is very much “the Word in Lockdown”.
But the Word of God is never locked down, isolated and contained. As Pope Francis says:
“The word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12); it does not die, nor does it age, but it remains for ever (cf. 1 Peter 1:25). It stays young in the presence of all that passes away (cf. Matthew 25:35) and preserves those who put it into practice from inner aging.”
