Author: The Anchorite

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A Sabbath in Capernaum

First Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:21-39

If you begin to read Mark’s Gospel, you will notice that Mark packs a great deal into the first twenty verses of the first chapter. We are introduced to John the Baptist and his ministry. Jesus appears, is baptized by John, and then goes off into the wilderness to be tested. He returns to Galilee, begins to preach about the Kingdom of God, and calls his first four disciples to follow him. That’s a lot in a few lines.

It’s therefore significant to notice that, when we get to verse 21, Mark slows down somewhat and spends some time describing a sabbath day in Capernaum and its aftermath. The fact that there is this change of pace alerts us that Mark wants us also to slow down and pay attention. Something important is happening here. It’s also very significant to note that it happens during and just after a sabbath day.  Continue reading “A Sabbath in Capernaum”

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Waiting On God

Feast of the Epiphany

On Christmas, we heard the story of the birth of Jesus according to Luke. Bethlehem, we are told, was crowded at the time, like Bar Harbor in the summer. The visitors weren’t tourists (as we understand the term) but people who were descendants of David, there to register for the census. We can imagine the locals complaining about the folks “from away” (even as they appreciate the business), while the visitors may be complaining among themselves about the quality of their rooms or the meals or the service.  Continue reading “Waiting On God”

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Poems

As a little change of pace, I’m going to share with you two poems from one of my favorite poets, Anne Porter. If you’ve never read any of her poems, find her book Living Things. You’ll be glad you did. You will find at least a few poems that speak to you – and of you – directly. Here are two that speak to – and of – me: Continue reading “Poems”

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Naming and Filing

January 2, 2017: John 1:19-28

Today’s Gospel reading begins with John (the Evangelist) telling us that he is about to give us the testimony of John (the Baptist) as to who Jesus is. John the Baptist, as the story begins, is in the midst of his ministry by the Jordan River. Even though this remote region was not easy to get to, people come to John every day to hear him and be baptized. Something about John rings true to them. Continue reading “Naming and Filing”

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Breaking Trail

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”  Luke 2:19

“You can ask about it, but nobody knows the way; no breadcrumb trail to follow through your days… It’s a matter of getting deeper in, any way you can.” All This Beauty by the Weepies

If you’ve done much snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you know that the most challenging thing you can do is break trail – that is, to go where no one else has yet gone and make your own trail in the snow. It requires a lot of energy, and you will tire quickly if you don’t pace yourself. Once trail is broken, it’s much easier to go back the way you came, or to use the trail you just made the next day. Breaking trail, however, is serious work.   Continue reading “Breaking Trail”