How many of us have done that? John spells out clearly the results of following those commandments just Jesus laid them out versus reversing the order. Mary had the commandments in the right order whereas Martha had them reversed. It’s a great illustration of the Two Great Commandments: first love God and then love neighbor. It must have stung to hear Jesus gently chiding her for not understanding what was more important. The first time we meet Martha she is indeed all action and resentful of her duties definitely because Mary was not helping out but perhaps too because she did not feel she had the luxury of sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening. John does a wonderful job of fleshing out Martha and Mary they are not two-dimensional women (Martha as all action and lesser faith, and Mary as all contemplative with greater faith). Martha, Mary and Lazarus were very close friends. He also gives us insight into lesser known facts about Jesus Father Jim points that out in indicating that we forget that Jesus had friends. Instead of quick vignettes, John tells stories with fleshed-out characters. I was surprised that Father Jim preferred the synoptic gospels over John because of their faster pace I love how John lingers over his stories. John’s gospel is one of my favorite stories in the Bible (along with The Prodigal Son). I was excited when I realized I would be commenting on chapter 18. Each week we will tackle a chapter and look forward to a lively discussion together. James Martin’s bestseller, Jesus: A Pilgrimage. And all the people were amazed.Welcome to our virtual book club! We're reading Fr. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them ( J) how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis ( K) how much Jesus had done for him. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.ġ8 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man-and told about the pigs as well.
15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion ( H) of demons, ( I) sitting there, dressed and in his right mind and they were afraid. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.ġ4 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. “My name is Legion,” ( G) he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.ġ1 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, ( E) Jesus, Son of the Most High God? ( F) In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”ĩ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.Ħ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, ( C) a man with an impure spirit ( D) came from the tombs to meet him. Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man ( A) ( B)ĥ They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.