Today, the Second Sunday after Trinity, the Gospel reading is from Mark chapter 3. Earlier Jesus has called his disciples. He has healed the sick and won the hearts of the crowds. But Jesus has also begun to make enemies and to stir up conflict by the way in which he welcomes outcasts and challenges the religious leaders. In today’s Gospel reading Mark contrasts the way in which the sick, the possessed and the outcasts flock to Jesus with the way in which the religious leaders refused to recognise Jesus’ authority and stirred up controversy against him. In this passage even Jesus’ closest family questioned his sanity, while the scribes insisted on attributing Jesus’ actions to evil sources. In his reply to the scribes Jesus asserts his own authority to overturn the forces of evil. It is this conflict which leads inevitably to the crucifixion later in the Gospel.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of conflict. In today’s picture, from his book The Grumpy Day, Teddy Horsley is stirring up conflict around the breakfast table at home.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you faced conflict in your ministry.
When we face conflict,
help us to follow your example,
that we may choose the right way
and not the wrong way;
now and always.
Amen.
Next Sunday, our journey through Mark’s Gospel takes us to two of Jesus’ parables about growth, the Parable of the Growing Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is growth. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
Prayer Requests
Would you like to submit a prayer request? You can do so through the prayer for Liverpool website.
Notice Sheet
Would you like to sign up to receive the Cathedral’s weekly notice sheet? You can do so here.
Come and Celebrate a Century of Liverpool Cathedral