Celtic Odyssey

Mark 4:35-41 (MSG): 1 35-38 Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?” 39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” 41 They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!” Other readings: 1 Samuel 17.(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 & Psalm 9.9-20 or 1 Samuel 17.57-18:5, 18.10-16 & Psalm 133 or Job 38.1-11; Psalm 107.1-3, 23-32 2 Corinthians 6.1-13             ...

Mark 4:26-34 (MSG; adapted): 1 26-29 Then Jesus said, “God’s Realm is like seed thrown on a field by a farmer who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows — the farmer has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without the farmer’s help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain’s fully formed — harvest time! 30-32 “How else can we picture God’s Realm? What other kind of story can we use? It’s like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it’s quite small as seeds go, yet once it’s planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.” 33-34 With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots. 2 Other readings: Ezekiel 17.22-24; Psalm 92.1-4, 12-15; 2 Corinthians 5.6...