Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

Saint Mark writes his gospel like a good teacher preparing a lesson plan for the term. The teacher will include pauses for review to help carry the students along. Today’s gospel gives us a review. Mark reminds the reader of what we have learned so far about Jesus Christ. The pivotal question has been, “Who is this Jesus?” He has astounded people with his profound teaching. They said, “He teaches with authority.” He has amazed some people, and frightened others, with his miracles. As a result, many people came to follow him. They flocked to him for healing.

Here Mark introduces us to the purpose of the “paraclete.” (Fathers John Donahue and Daniel Harrington explain this well in their book, “The Gospel of Mark.”) Note how the people “begged” Jesus to touch his garment. The Greek word here is parakalein which was used in earlier episodes of the gospel, namely in the plea of a leper as well as from a man possessed by a demon. The word literally means “called to the side of,” suggesting that the paraclete is an “advocate” or a “defender.”

The people came to Jesus and they begged (pleaded) for healing, either from physical maladies or from demonic possession. They wanted Jesus to accompany them along their journey of faith. And Jesus healed them fully and immediately. Mark’s brief review recounts the many accomplishments of Jesus and we see the beginning of the Church.