Reading Mark Together—Dynamic Faith
Two notes: Plymouth UCC in Fort Collins, CO is in the 2nd year of its 3-year emphasis on our mission statement (that is, we’re in the transformation stage that we’re calling dynamic faith); and we’re reading through the Gospel according to Mark together for a Lenten devotional practice. There—you’re all caught up! J
Reading scripture itself can be a transformative experience. In his book, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, Richard Rohr claims, “This marvelous anthology of books and letters called the Bible is all for the sake of astonishment! It’s for divine transformation (theosis), not intellectual or ‘small-self’ coziness….The biblical revelation invites us into a genuinely new experience….The trouble is that we have made the Bible into a bunch of ideas—about which we can be right or wrong—rather than an invitation to a new set of eyes.”
Yes! The “dynamic” or full-of-life and ever-moving aspect of our faith is in our seeing with a new set of eyes. It’s in our willingness to change and grow ever toward God and the understanding of how we’re called to live in this life—and scripture can enable that, depending on how we read it.
So, Mark!
He dives right in. And yet there are nuances. Three tidbits caught my attention in this first week’s reading (chapters 1-3).
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Sometimes I like to follow a “character” and see where s/he takes me in the story. I note his/her appearances in particular to see if there is anything new (to me) I might learn about Jesus’ earthly ministry. Simon intrigued me today.
With his brother Andrew, Simon was the first follower Jesus called (1:16) and the first of 12 apostles that Mark names (3:16). Simon is the one that Jesus will eventually re-name Peter, and it is his house (and Andrew’s) that Jesus first visits.
Here’s where the fun of reading between the lines begins. The text reveals that Simon’s mother-in-law is sick. Which indicates Simon is married! (Not a big deal, right? But we don’t ever talk about the disciples’ home lives. Yet, they had home lives, like we do). And this fact makes me curious about possible side stories.
I wonder what his wife thought when Simon “left his nets” to follow Jesus? Or when “the whole city was gathered” around her door to be healed? We could go with the typical cranky wife drama. Or we might consider her awe and hopefulness sparked when Jesus heals her mama. Was she, then one of the many unnamed disciples who followed Jesus? There are many biblical instances alluding to such people.
I’ll be looking for mentions of Simon-Peter and unnamed disciples throughout the remainder of Mark and wonder about this hidden character each time. Perhaps another person has intrigued you as you read, and you might do the same as we continue reading.
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Another part of the reading I note but won’t elaborate on. In verse 38 of chapter 1 Jesus clearly states his ministry as he understands it: “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may proclaim the message there also; for that is wheat I came out to do.”
How does this mission flow through the rest of Mark’s writing?
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Finally, I am caught pondering the passage in which the scribes accuse Jesus of being on Satan’s team: “by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons” (3:22). Jesus’ response is this: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand” (3:24-25).
What might this say about the divided Christian household, i.e.: denominations and church splits and progressive vs. conservative, etc.? What might it say about the hoped for Kingdom (Shalom) of God on earth?
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