You Are the Son of God

A Gospel Enquiry

Introduction

Things happen when Jesus is present. If you are powerless to make things better for yourself or for others, the ask Jesus to intervene. Mark’s Gospel has many stories that illustrate this truth about his presence in people’s lives. The following Enquiry will help you appreciate the threefold aim of the Gospel Enquiry: 

• Knowledge of Christ

• Union with Christ 

• Action in Christ.

The Gospel

Jesus left with his followers for the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed him. Also many people came from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from the lands across the Jordan River, and from the area of Tyre and Sidon. When they heard what Jesus was doing, many people came to him. When Jesus saw the crowds, he told his followers to get a boat ready for him to keep people from crowding against him. He had healed many people, so all the sick were pushing toward him to touch him. When evil spirits saw Jesus, they fell down before him and shouted, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus strongly warned them not to tell who he was. (Mark 3:7-12)

The Enquiry

See

• What happens in this account from Mark’s Gospel? Look at the confrontation between good and evil. Have you ever experienced such a confrontation? What happened? What part did you play in the confrontation? How was Jesus present in the confrontation you experienced?

• What were people seeking from Jesus? Why? Was this just a momentary thing? Or do you get the impression that perhaps this happened over a period of time. … days, or weeks, or months? How far did people travel to meet him and to be healed by him? What is there in your own experience of life that is similar to this account (accepting suffering in order to be united with Jesus)? 

• Jesus was modelling for his disciples what it means to have a “missionary” heart. What happened because Jesus made himself available to those who sought to be in his presence and to experience the power of God in their lives through being in his presence? 

Judge

• What do you think about this event in Jesus’ life? If you were to place yourself in this part of his mission, who would you be?

• What insights have you gained from reading and reflecting on this part of Jesus’ life and mission? What have you learned about him that you recognise for the first time in your life?

• How is your knowledge of Jesus and your relationship with him challenged by this part of his life? 

Act

• What needs to change in your life so that Jesus continue his mission through you?

• What action can you commit to that will help you to be more open to Jesus working through you? 

• Who can you involve in your action and how and when will you get them to participate in your action?

Author: Pat Branson

Image Source: https://dailymasses.blogspot.com/2017/01/you-are-son-of-god-homily-for-january.html