Contemplation on the Public Life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Dr. Karen Shields Wright
Jun 25
12 min read

Updated: Jul 31

A Directed or Self-Directed Retreat: To Know, To Love, To Follow

Contemplating The Mystery of Christ In Mark's Gospel

In Mark's Gospel, Jesus, the anointed Son of God, proclaims the imminence of God's reign through his teachings and actions: "The Time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near" (Mark 1:15). The secret is breaking open that God's reign is imminent and He has entered into human life to bring us His Mercy.

The unfolding of Mark's story about Jesus can be described as centered around the term "Mystery." Jesus says while teaching that "The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you" (Mark 4:11). Jesus' real identity remained a secret during His lifetime, although demons and demonic forces knew the truth. In Mark's Gospel, we encounter the truth of Jesus' identity through his actions. The crowd's reactions to Jesus' miraculous works then are our reactions today as we read, "He has done everything well; He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak" (Mark 7:37).

As you move through these mysteries of this retreat, consider what you hope to gain as you begin your journey with Jesus in Mark's Gospel. As you read and pray with these mysteries, imagine being there: Where are you in this scene? What do you observe? Who is there? How is Jesus responding to those He encounters? What is He saying? What does His voice sound like? How are you responding?How did you relate it to Jesus' reactions to those suffering? Is there suffering in your life now? What do these miracles tell about who Jesus is to you?

Preparing for Your Retreat

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Offertory Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death

Mysteries from the Exercises for a self-directed or Directed retreat

First Meditation: The Cure of a Demoniac

Preparatory Prayer: "The preparatory prayer is to ask God Our Lord for the grace that all my intentions (wants and desires), actions, and operations (interior mental activities) may be ordered purely to the service and praise of the Divine Majesty" (SE 46).*

Prelude: Notice the reaction, the astonishment and amazement of the people who listen to Jesus teach with authority and witness him cure the man.

Meditation: Mark 1:23-28

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”

The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Reflection: How do I react to Jesus in this Gospel story? What is it like for me, as I imagine Jesus curing this man from the unclean Spirit?

Second Meditation: The Healing of a Paralytic

Prelude: Notice the great desire of the crowd to be near Jesus, to see him, listen to him and hear him teach until there was no room to stand in the home. The desire was so great that they removed to roof to get to him.

Meditation: Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way?* He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—

he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.

Reflection: What is your desire to be near Jesus? What needs do you long to bring to Jesus? Reflect on how God is increasing your desire to know and love his Son Jesus at this time. What does this mean for you?

Third Meditation: The Mercy of Jesus

Prelude: See how Jesus seeks time to rest as he tirelessly shows his mercy to those who seek him. Consider how Jesus offers you his Mercy.

Meditation: Mark 3: 7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people [followed] from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.”He warned them sternly not to make him known.

Reflection: How do I imagine what this day was like for Jesus? What does it mean for me that Jesus desires to continue to offer His mercy, His love, and His healing in your life?

Fourth Meditation: The Calming of a Storm at Sea

Preparatory Prayer

"The preparatory prayer is to ask God Our Lord for the grace that all my intentions (wants and desires), actions, and operations (interior mental activities) may be ordered purely to the service and praise of the Divine Majesty" (SE 46).

Prelude: See how the hearts of the disciples are transformed from fear and doubt to wonder and awe as Jesus calms the storm.

Meditation: Mark 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.

Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm.Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

Reflection: What storms are circling your life right now that you desire Jesus to calm? How has Jesus helped you through storms before? How is Jesus inviting you to increase your faith in him?

Fifth Meditation: Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter

Prelude: Consider how Jesus responds to the synagogue official. He immediately goes off with him to see his daughter. Hear Jesus' words to those who question Jarius, "Do not be afraid; just have faith".

Meditation: Mark 5:22-24, 35-43

When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her* that she may get well and live.”

He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him. While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Reflection: What do I notice about Jesus in this story. How do imagine this was like for Jairus or the disciples. What areas of my life, spiritual or physical, can I invite Jesus to accompany you with faith and trust?

Sixth Meditation: Jesus Heals The Woman With a Hemorrhage

Prelude: Notice Jesus' disposition of patience, mercy and compassion for the woman. See how he affirms her faith and offers her peace. Jesus delights in you, rejoices in your faith and your trust in him. Ask Jesus to deepen your understanding of his love for you today.

Meditation: Mark 5:25-34

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”

Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

And he looked around to see who had done it.The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

Reflection: What surprises me about Jesus in this Gospel story? What do I notice about Jesus? How do I imagine the range of emotions the woman must have felt? In what ways have you experienced His love and healing?

Seventh Meditation: The Healing of a Deaf Man

Preparatory Prayer:"The preparatory prayer is to ask God Our Lord for the grace that all my intentions (wants and desires), actions, and operations (interior mental activities) may be ordered purely to the service and praise of the Divine Majesty" (SE 46).

Prelude: Imagine the scene with all of its sights, sounds, smells and surroundings. Consider what it was like for the deaf man to be with Jesus in that private moment, and to feel the healing touch of Jesus.

Mark 7:31-37

Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him.

He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And [immediately] the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it.They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and [the] mute speak.”

Reflection: What insights and emotions come over me as I contemplate Jesus' encounter with the deaf man? What do I notice about Jesus in this passage that moves me? When in my life have my eyes been opened to realize the Lord's love for me?

Day 8: The Blind Bartimaeus

Prelude: As you imagine the scene, notice how Jesus is attentive the voice of the blind man amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowd following him.

Meditation: Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Reflection: As you imagine the scene, what do I notice about Jesus' concern for the blind man? How would I answer Jesus' question?

In your journal, at the end of the evening, note your responses. Then, at the end of your retreat, consider writing a letter to Jesus. Share with Him about your experience, how you responded to all graces He has bestowed on those He encountered, you during this time together, and share with Him your desires for the future.

You are invited to end this self-directed retreat with an

Act of Consecration to Jesus Sacred Heart.

Let His Heart touch your heart.

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Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.

I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.

Amen. - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque