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Tuesday of 9th Week of the Year
Retreat at
St. Joseph’s Villa, Flourtown, PA
June 4, 2009
BATTLE LINES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Gospel is from 12th chapter of
Mark’s Gospel
Ø Another conflict betw J &
religious leaders of day
Ø To this point in Mark’s Gospel,
religious leaders been after J 1 time after another
Ø Accused of blasphemy becz
forgave paralytic of sins
Ø Challenged for not making his disciples
fast
Ø Accuse him of breaking Sabbath rest
by letting his disciples pick corn for something to eat
Ø Accuse him of healing by power
of devil & not of G
Ø Are bothered becz doesn’t observe
strict laws re washing utensils 4 eating
Ø Ask for wondrous sign 2 prove
he’s come from heaven
Ø Now, try 2 trap him by asking if lawful
2 pay tax 2 emperor
Ø Incident highlights what’s going
on in entire series of contentions w/ religious leaders
THE WARRIORS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø First, they are closed
Ø J, by very life, lifestyle, & teaching, challenges them 2 change ways
Ø This makes them uncomfortable
Ø Closed to thought of having 2 change anything about selves
Ø 2nd, they are threatened
Ø Feel threatened becz people may be listening 2 Jesus more than 2 them
Ø Want 2 hold onto their position, regardless of what really should do 2
grow in relationship w/ G
US ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø I cite what’s going on under this contention, becz we get caught up in
same thing
Ø We can B closed & threatened & that can make us resistant 2 change
Ø Can lead us 2 get angry & turn off one who may B making very good
point
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø So, we need self-awareness 2 make sure we r not resisting gd opp 2 grow as persons & in R
relationship w/ Lord
Ø And asking how closed or threatened we are by something may be an opp for
a breakthru
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
