The Thessalonians had very little time with Paul Silvanus and Timothy before they were chased out of the city by a gang of ruffians as the NRSV translation has it in Acts 17 5 And yet in that short time they had turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for his Son

As Catholics we have no problem with the time-bound nature of the Bible In fact we appreciate it believing that the scriptures deserve to be read within their context and also need careful interpretation And while the Christian Feminists may not choose to have today s first reading as the open

A fifth story Mark includes under the second passion resurrection prediction of Jesus has to do with little children finding access to Jesus Though no reason is given why people sought Jesus blessing it seems obvious to say that they trusted that through him the blessings of God would embrace

We have seen four stories that follow in a certain logic upon the first prediction of the passion resurrection conditions of discipleship the Transfiguration the mystery of Elijah who restores all things and the faith to call upon Jesus in prayer for healing We continued with the second

Still in Galilee Jesus predicts his suffering and resurrection a second time here as earlier and later he says he will die and rise as the Son of Man i e the person the OT has said would suffer then be glorified and would finally be judge of the world Messiah Lord Savior

The first series of stories after the first passion prediction finishes with a story of the healing of a boy possessed by a demon The beginning of this story continues Jesus descent from the mount of Transfiguration The lengthy story is quite picturesque with a number of places dedicated to