Teacher

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Teacher

Authority   Commander

Cast Out   Expel   Obey

The People Were Astonished

Liberator

(Photo and Poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark 1:22 

The people were astonished at the teaching of Jesus.

He was a teacher who taught with authority and not like the scribes. 

Reflection

What do we look for in a teacher?

It is certainly important that teachers have command of the subject and that they know what they are talking about. It is important that they are prepared.

It seems from this passage that Jesus was a teacher who was different. He stood out. The scribes would teach by quoting the opinions of others. Jesus taught with certainty and conviction. He did not have to refer to other teachers.

This astonished the people who were gathered. They were even more amazed when Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the man. They started wondering exactly what type of person Jesus was. Where did He get His knowledge and His ability to communicate it so effectively?

The authority that Jesus showed came from His relationship with the Father. Jesus was always going off by Himself to pray and to reflect on the mission that the Father gave Him. He was one with the Father.

Jesus invites us into that relationship. He calls us to listen to His teaching as we pray and ponder the Word of God. We have all experienced many teachers in our life. They have helped us greatly. 

Jesus comes to teach us also as they have. He wants to share the Good News that the Father gave to Him. It is astonishing.

When we hear that Good News from Jesus, our Teacher, our lives are changed forever. We know that we are loved with an Infinite Love.

We rejoice in that teaching and try to follow it by sharing that message with others through our acts of love each day. A smile, a caring word, a compassionate phone call, making a meal for someone who is sick, offering a ride to a doctor's appointment, helping out at a local shelter or soup kitchen, advocating for justice for those unfairly treated, and countless other acts of love show that we have embraced the teaching of Jesus.

Astonishing things are still happening!

1. Who are the teachers who have made the deepest impact on you?

2. Why did Jesus teach with so much authority?

3. What are some of the truths that you have learned from Jesus?

4. How does the teaching of Jesus affect you in your daily life?

5. What are the most astonishing things that you see happening today by those who follow the teachings of Jesus?

6. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Call

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Call

Message   Discipleship

Repent   Believe   Follow

The Time of Fulfillment

Chosen

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Mark: 1: 14 to 16

After John's arrest, Jesus went around Galilee spreading the good news:

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is here. Repent, and accept the gospel."

Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee and he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew. They were casting their nets into the sea to try to catch some fish. 

Jesus spoke to them, saying

"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Reflection

How do you feel when someone calls you and asks you to follow her or him?

Most of us in that situation would like to take some time to think it over, to evaluate the pros and cons, to consult with others, and to ponder our decision.

In this passage there is none of that. Jesus issues His call and the fishermen leave what they are doing and follow Him immediately.

Why so quickly? 

We can imagine that there was such a special quality in the way Jesus spoke to them, in His gaze, and in His body language that an instant response was demanded. 

The fishermen left everything and followed Jesus. They made no excuses.

They didn't say that they needed more time.

They didn't ask about the salary.

They didn't haggle over perks and benefits.

They just followed the call.

The call was about Good News---the Kingdom of God had come. It was here right now. No more waiting.

All that the prophets had spoken about was now here in Jesus. He came to let everyone know that this was the opportunity that was spoken about: God was here---in the midst of the people.

The apostles were excited to get this call and to proclaim the presence of the Kingdom. They would now have the opportunity to catch people rather than fish.

That same call comes to each one of us today. We reflect on the question: how can I spread the Good News?

We have all been given gifts and talents. We can use them to let others know this Good News: the Kingdom is here!

The Love of God has arrived and is in our midst. God will lead us. 

How will you respond to God's call?

1. How do you picture Jesus calling you?

2. What are the excuses that you usually make when God calls you to proclaim the Kingdom?

3. Why were the apostles so excited to get this call?

4. How excited do you get when you receive God's call?

5. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Discipleship

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Discipleship

Follow   Messenger

Invitation   Behold   Found

Come You Will See

Listen

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   John 1: 37 to 39

The two disciples heard what John the Baptist said about Jesus and they began to follow Him.

When Jesus saw them following Him, He said, "What are you looking for?"

They said, "Teacher, where are you staying?"

Jesus said, "Come and you will see."

Reflection

Following.

This is always an issue for us.

Whom should I follow?

What should I follow?

Am I being misled?

Am I listening to the wrong people, am I getting "fake news", am I going down the wrong path in life?

It can be hard for us sometimes to figure out exactly what the right path is and who is really telling the truth. The two disciples in our reading were guided to the Truth by John the Baptist. He pointed them towards Jesus.

They were spiritual seekers. They were looking for guidance and for that special person who could explain the scriptures for them.

Jesus invites them to come with Him and to see where He lives. It is an invitation that they both accept and it changes them forever.

I can relate to that change. When I read the scriptures and reflect on the words of Jesus, my life is changed. I see the wisdom and the power in those words. There is no one I would rather follow.

That invitation to come and see is an invitation that Jesus gives to us today. He wants us to know Him so that we will experience His Peace and His Love.

Who can refuse that invitation? It's time to listen!

1. What voice do you follow in your life?

2.  How do you figure out who is really telling the truth?

3.  Have you ever felt that Jesus was giving you an invitation?

4. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)

Star

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Star

Light   Radiance

Guide   Behold   Follow

Seeking New Born King

Compass

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 2:9 to 11

After the magi from the east had met with King Herod, they started towards Bethlehem. They saw the star again that they had been following previously.

The star stopped over the place where the child was.

The magi were filled with joy as they saw the star.

As they went into the house, they saw the child and his mother, Mary.

They knelt down before the child and did Him homage.

Reflection

What an amazing star!

The magi were guided by that star and were brought to Jesus.

In thinking about the journey that the magi made, we can wonder why they set about following a star? There are so many stars in the sky that we can ask why they would follow this one?

If the star was so extraordinary and so compelling, why were the magi the only ones who were following it? If Herod was so interested in finding this special Child, why didn't he go to Bethlehem?

This all speaks to a special characteristic of the magi: they were seekers. They wanted to find  someone who would bring meaning to their lives. They were people of great wealth (as evidenced by the gifts that they brought for the Child) and also great learning. 

Yet in spite of all that they had, they were still searching for more. This star indicated that something special was happening. It was not an ordinary star. The magi saw something different and compelling. They sacrificed much to follow this star. It could have even led to their death because of the jealousy of Herod who did not want there to be any rivals to his position and power.

This passage from Matthew raises many important questions for us: do we put our desire for material comforts ahead of our commitment to following Jesus? What are the stars that we follow in our lives? Where have those stars been leading us?

Jesus comes to make His Light known to all. It was not limited to just one country or one group of people or one religion. It is a Light for all of us to follow. It is a Light that leads us to live lives of justice and peace and to bring love to our brothers and sisters.

Jesus is our Star! 

1.  What are some of the obstacles that you face in following Jesus, our Star?

2. How des following Jesus lead you to Light?

3. Why is the Light of Jesus given to all people?

4. What are some gifts that Jesus has given to you?

5. What do you experience as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)