Like yesterday’s story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, this story is full of deep significance. The Walking on the Water. 45Then he made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.46 And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray.47When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.48Then he saw that they were... Read more
Here is my latest article for Catholic Online Pope Francis has reminded us that the Lord is a God of surprises. The Catholic faith is “ever ancient ever new” because while we have our dogmas and decrees and our rubrics and rules and regulations we also have the Holy Spirit–a Spirit that blows where it wills. In the Church it is always Springtime because there is forever something new and fresh being brought into life by the Holy Spirit. When... Read more
Here is the link to my free weekly newsletter. This week there are articles on the works of mercy, lessons from next Sunday’s Mass readings, Points to Ponder, links to resources and an article on reading Sacred Scripture. Notice too, that each week there is a featured painting–usually a piece of art that connects with the Sunday Mass readings. Faithworks! is therefore a resource not only for the practical practice of your Catholic faith, but also to widen your appreciation... Read more
Mark returns to his agenda of revealing who Jesus really is. The signs that Jesus shows are revelations of his identity. The rejection he suffers is also, ironically, a revelation of his identity. Mark continues to use symbols which will resonate with his readers–all of which combine to reveal Jesus as the Son of God. Welcome to Day 16 of the Bible study. It is difficult for me sometimes to get these daily reading done for you. I hope you... Read more
Welcome to day 15 of our Blobble Study of Mark’s gospel. By reading the whole gospel straight through we are able to see how Mark builds the story and how much the whole gospel revolves around the conflict Jesus creates. Every chapter bristles with astounding actions, subversive words and upsetting behaviors. Jesus is unpredictable, dangerous and the growing adulation of the ever increasing crowds makes the situation worse. By now the Scribes and Pharisees are pitted against him, his family... Read more
Are you still with us? I’m finding it a little bit difficult with my busy schedule to keep up to my daily commitment of reading Mark’s gospel during Lent and providing the Blobble study here. I hope you don’t mind if I miss a day or two! Today I leave for St Thomas Church, North Charleston to preach a three day Lent mission. If you’re in Charleston or the area come and join us. The address is 6650 Dorchester Rd.... Read more
We continue chapter five with another longer, more detailed story. We began in chapter one with an introduction to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The stories were short and sharp. Almost as if they were preludes or little introductions to the main story. After Jesus’ identity is established Mark now takes the time for more detailed stories. As in the first introductory stories there is an exorcism, then the healing of a woman. Now, as we get further into Jesus’ ministry... Read more
Here is my latest published article for Integrated Catholic Life–on the use of material things in worship. I was brought up in an independent Bible church in the USA, so my first visit to a Catholic church was a big culture shock, and it confirmed everything I was told about Catholics. There were racks of candles guttering away in front of statues. There were images of Jesus on the cross, Jesus with his heart on the outside, Mary with baby Jesus,... Read more
In chapter five suddenly we are given longer, more detailed stories about Jesus. Having established who Jesus is, Mark now show his continued work in the world. Remember if you are just joining us, that you can catch up and read earlier Read, Mark, Learn entries by using the “Categories” tool in the right sidebar of the blog. Just click on “Bloggle Study” Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac. 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the territory... Read more
My boys have this video game where they are soldiers fighting in war. They have to shoot the bad guys and they sometimes get shot too. At the bottom of the screen is a bar which shows how much strength they have left. If it is all the way to the right and is green they are full strength. As they get wounded it blips down to the left and goes red. When it is only a slim line of... Read more
Fr. Dwight Longenecker
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