When we look at today’s gospel as a whole, it tells us that both faith and action are essential.

Because Christ is with us in every crisis and in every circumstance, we can live peacefully in his love.

We contribute our part to the relationship with God. But God’s part is primary.

The evangelist Mark ends his Easter story with bewilderment and fear, because that it is the vantage point from which Easter can be seen.

God’s love for us is not postponed until all things are as they should be.

A human person is more important than any other value regardless how grand and impressive it might be.

The lepers in our life are those to we will not approach and touch.

We believe so that we can unite ourselves to the One who has the power to rebuke evil and to drive the demon out.

To embrace the Christ child is to embrace the broken world into which he came.

We should not confuse our Christmas celebration with the relationship that to which it points.