Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
The first chapters of Mark have been describing a power struggle of Jesus with the devil. In tis short passage we hear of Jesus’ movements around Galilee healing people. He is beating the devil. He also has become famous. Soon the paparazzi will start following Jesus.
In the controversies that follow, the question will be who has the power to interpret or change customs and regulations.
In today’s short report on Jesus’ activities, Mark noted that the people immediately recognized Jesus. He earlier had told us that the people of his hometown had not recognized him. After having reported that Jesus had fed the five thousand and walked on the water, Mark also noted that the disciples had not understood the meaning of Jesus’ work. Mark challenges us for our belief in Jesus.
Just as the feeding of the five thousand tells us that Jesus’ food is for everyone, the incident related here tells us that Jesus’ healing is for everyone. If we are Jesus for the world of today, then our food and our healings are meant for everyone. What does this say we should be doing with hunger in the world, with those suffering from earthquake, hurricane, flooding, Covid 19, and all the other challenges the world faces today?