The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study

Chapters 13-14

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

Well, we told you that you wouldn't want to miss our first-time facilitator but even the extraordinary billing could not live up to the marvelous Marken journey we were set on during our time together! It was a fabulous adventure and we offer a big thanks to our friend C.C. (no, not Chris Carter).

We opened with a lovely reading someone just happened to have in their purse(!) and got started. Here follows the overview...

Mark 13 - "The Little Apocalypse"

Many have read Mark 13 and have believed it is talking about the end of the world. Tom Wright says this is wrong. That it is about the fate of the Temple - and of Jesus' followers in the time leading up to the Temple's demise. The chapter has 3 sections: (there is that number again!)

1. Verses 1-13 Signs of the end - We learn that the temple is going to be destroyed; there will be impersonators of Jesus as well as wars, earthquakes, and famines; Jesus' followers will be at grave risk; and families will be divided and kill each other.

   Wright tells us that to understand this section we need to start at verse 8. This verse is something about creating the new world order.

2. Verses 14-27 More signs of the end - Jesus continues to warn about the fall of the Temple and begins with a warning about "the desolating abomination". Wright thinks it is a pagan image perhaps put in the Temple. Jesus also warns about false prophets.

   Rather than the end of the world the fall was the end of the Jewish way of life that had failed by a combination of injustice towards those in Judea and violence toward those outside (Romans). They had failed to answer God's call to be the light of the world.

   Wright says that the destruction of the Temple is a sign that God vindicated Jesus as the true representative of his people.

   In the final two verses Jesus quotes Daniel 7.13 and tells us: "They will see the son of man coming on clouds with great power and glory". This is more vindication of Jesus' mission. And according to "Sacra Pagina", it is an important contribution to Christology; because it places Jesus' manifestation as the climax to the unfolding of God's plan for creation.

3. Verses 28-37 Keep watch and stay awake! Jesus continues his warnings. He uses the fig tree again, this time sprouting leaves as a metaphor to be awake to the arrival of the pagans that will take over the city. Wright concludes Mark 13 with his own warning that we are to also keep watch for the judgment that will fall upon the whole world.

   According to "Sacra Pagina", Mark uses the conventions of apocalyptic to address Christians who have undergone suffering for Jesus and expect more. In this apocalyptic vision, the conviction that the world will be transformed and that they would rein with the risen Jesus gave them hope against their present sufferings.

   The Jesus Seminar book says, "the compendium of apocalyptic materials is a creation of Mark and the narrative setting is also his creation". They gave a black designation for chapter 13 with two options: 1) "I would not include this narrative information in the primary database for determining who Jesus was"; or 2) "This information is improbable. It does not fit verifiable evidence; it is largely or entirely fictive."

We finally broke for...pretzels? Yes, we again had no treat bearer but were delighted to find a super big bag of opened pretzels at the usual banquet area. We fired up the Mexican organic peace decaff coffee and were living a dream!

Rita was randomly kind enough to bring one of her gorgeous home-made greeting cards that we signed and sent to our friend, Tom, who had surgery on Monday and at this time is reportedly doing as well as can be expected. They have him up and moving around. He is in a great amount of physical pain but this is normal after this type of surgery. Our hearts are definitely with Tom and his family.

We then found our way into our small groups and discussed these very interesting and evocative questions...

Questions

Mark 13

Discuss your views on "The Little Apocalypse". Do you believe the words attributed to Jesus were said by Jesus or (the writer(s)) of Mark? And, depending upon your answer (belief), how does this impact the narrative for you? What meaning does this narrative have for you in the 21st century?

Mark 14

Jesus anointed - How does this narrative contrast (if you think it does) with how the Church has viewed and treated women? What does the Gospel of Mark say for you about the role of women in the early Jesus movement?

The Last Supper - What does the "body & blood" (of Christ) mean to you when you take communion?

Hello! These made for very fine discussion and discernment and we wish we had had more time!

One feeling expressed in our small group was how little if any of chapter 13 was worth anything to us. There was no teaching, no insight, and no wisdom, only looking into the future and describing weird and cryptic things that were to happen. Alas, one of us reminded us about the part (Mark 13:11) that has Jesus telling the 12 that they must preach the gospel to all nations and when they are arrested and brought to trial, "...do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." And so we thank Ms MW for this observation for it is a gorgeous teaching and I immediately take this lesson to heart in my own life now.

Another subject from chapter 14 related to the anointing of Jesus by the woman and how that scene is depicted in all four gospels and how each phase of the ministry of Jesus is proclaimed by the anointing of a woman. And, when the men around Jesus rebuke her harshly for this act, Jesus responds, "Leave her alone. Why do u bother her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Wow. Well, one cant help but wonder about the whole women's ordination thing again. Obviously, the gospel writers go out of their way to show that women are vital and paramount in the work of Jesus and the early church. And as one of our group mentioned, they anoint! This is a function now-a-days that is reserved only for the priesthood, all of whom, in the Catholic tradition, are men. And so again, I respectfully submit that the present-day discrimination barring women from the priesthood is not put to rest and that the church's doctrinal logic, or justification for this discrimination, is far from sound.

Thank you again C.C. for taking the plunge as facilitator!

We then participated in a beautiful, spontaneous homespun prayer speaking to our gratitude for our friend Tom and to this special time of year and our place within it. Grazie.

Hello Cristina and Andrea!! Happy Advent!!

And now, for next week, December 20, we will again share an Advent-al - Mystic-al gathering down in the Hall to read Luke's and Mathew's Infancy Narratives. It was decided that part of this gathering will include the ancient Catholic tradition of lectio divina, or, sacred reading. What a grand idea and in a candle lit atmosphere to boot. We hope it will prove a grounding and centering time, a meditative and prayerful reprieve from the stresses of this time of year.

Pope Benedict has spoken highly of this practice as a means of renewing and rejuvenating the church. He says, "If it is effectively promoted, this practice (sacred reading) will bring to the church - I am convinced of it - a new spiritual springtime."

Oh, and I forgot to mention at our gathering but did you see the latest issue of the Catholic Spirit? Our pal, Will Steger is on the front page with a wonderful article about his upcoming trip and global warming. There is also much cool stuff about the 2nd Vatican Council!

Bring a candle for the narratives if you have one and who is bringing the tin foil and camp flashlights?

• Bob will be facilitating the final two chapters of Mark 15 - 16 on December 27.
• The following week Jan 3, 2006, we will celebrate our community and give thanks with the sharing of a meal down in the hall at the ol country church. All are welcome at this banquet.
• We tapped the subject of what we may want to read next and one of the books mentioned was Wisdom , author(s) unknown, written around 100 years Before the Common Era. Wouldn't it be grand!