Go home to your family

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24; Mk 5:1-20
Notes: In our first reading today Paul reminds us the faith of the ancients is the story of our ancestors in faith.

Each story, presented as fragments but meant to invoke a fuller recalling, are for our reassurance that faith is real, the problems of life are real, our ancestors and families had real challenges but, in the end, they had faith and things overall came out well (we are here, after all).

Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect. In an analogous way, our family tree as well.

Faith, always, faith.
Family, always, family.

Jesus asserts this with the demonic of the Gerasenes. “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Yes, travel the world if you are so called, to preach Jesus. But, never forget, the family you were given who by faith still stand among us.

Proclaim in [your city] what Jesus had done for [you]; and all [will be] amazed.

May I cross-reference today’s gospel to a few other writings?

Last Year: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/02/01/legion/
Bible Study – Mark: https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2021/02/the-gospel-of-mark-a-study-v3.pdf
Bible Study – John: https://gerrypalermo.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/gospel-of-john-outline-final.pdf

First reading
Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? [about our common family in faith, about the need to remember and to tell the stories to one another!]

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel.

Previously in the letter: (we read this in the continuous readings Year I).

Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Sarah
Joseph
Moses

Responsorial Psalm
Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

Alleluia Verse
A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.

Gospel Portion
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry