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Mark 14:31-42
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knows that terrors approach him, and he prays for the chalice of suffering to pass. We have recorded a startling insight into the relationship between the Father and the Son. Jesus desires the Father’s will, but he feels the distress of His will. He repeats his prayer to the Father several times for the chalice to be removed. Jesus seeks companionship and support during the distress but finds his friends asleep. Through this window into the Passion, we view Jesus’ distress and his willingness to suffer on our behalf. He receives the chalice of suffering freely, but not without trial. In this moment, Jesus reveals himself as priest. He takes the chalice in hand and offers it to the Father. The executioners might carry out Pilate's will, but Jesus understands the eternal significance of his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus will lay down his life and thus become both priest and victim for our salvation. Mark 14:43-52 In the Mediterranean, even to this day, people often greet one another with a kiss on the cheek. Betrayal inverts that sign of greeting into a signal of attack. A short skirmish breaks out with a slave's ear cut off. But, soon after, those with Jesus flee. We have a strange account in verses 51-52 of one follower so gripped by dread that he runs away naked. Some interpreters believe that the exposed follower was Mark himself, embarrassed by his flight, he recounts this story as an object lesson for us. To flee from Jesus during times of trial looks as silly as Mark felt. Without Jesus, we have literally nothing left. Mark 14:53-65 This courtroom scene displays another irony of the Passion: the very one who will be the final Judge, now stands in judgment before religious leaders. Soon, Jesus will face the “secular” authority in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate. For now, we have the Jesus before those charged with preserving the Law and the Prophets. The very figures meant to prepare the People of God for the Messiah now berate and lie about the Christ who stands in their midst. The intensity of the moment presents a silent Christ who breaks his silence to quote from the Book of Daniel. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets. He quotes the very Scripture many religious figures would have used to describe the Messiah. The truth meets benighted hearts who then condemn the truth incarnate. How can we make sense of such horrific irony? The most innocent One stands before the scholars and religious authorities, and they see only what they want to see. They want to condemn Jesus and thus hear what they want instead of the truth. What a cautionary tale! Mark 14:66-72 We find another disciple exposed by Jesus’ Passion in Peter. While standing by in the courtyard, Peter denies any affiliation with Jesus three times. Peter even begins backing away from Jesus, moving from the courtyard to the gate. “I do not know this man of whom you speak” (Mk. 14:61). Those are gut wrenching words to hear fall from the lips of Peter. The rooster crows and Peter remembers Jesus’ prophecy and breaks down weeping. Armed with self-confidence at the start of the chapter, clothed in his self-perception of zeal, a young maid terrifies Peter. Jesus is left alone, and Peter tastes the bitterness of his own disavowal of Jesus. Reflection Questions:
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AuthorFr. Jacob Bearer is a Catholic priest. He's about 6' to 6'4'' tall depending on which Convenient Store he's exiting. Although he enjoys kidney beans in chili, Fr. Jacob does not like baked beans and counts this as one of the toughest blotches on his character. He's been the administrator of SS. Edward's and Lucy's since January of 2022. Thank God for the Hatchery...this is a place where the author can share thoughts and ideas that don't quite seem right for the bulletin and won't exactly make for a homily (except for the times when the homily is posted with a sound file or used for a blog post). God bless you...and the hatchery. Archives
June 2025
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