Psalms:  98, 99

Meditation

Mark: Time and again Jesus has to contend with the myopic (near-sighted) leaders of the people “who can’t see the forest for the trees”. The truth is many Christian can become rather myopic as well when their own beliefs are brought into question. These often become the “hills to die on” which can back us into a deafness so as not to allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate our hearts (“quickening” Spirit?). The Pharisees trifle over taxes due to that heathen Caesar and the Sadducees want to affirm their belief of no life after death. Both are dealt with here brilliantly.

Gospel: Mark 12:13-27

New Testament: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Old Testament: Isaiah 65:1-12