Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:35-41 – Who is This?

Mark 4:35-41 – Who is This?

|| Matthew 8:18, 23, 27;[1] Luke 8:22-25

MK4:35 Now that same day when it was night-time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us go across the Sea of Galilee.” MK4:36 So after they dismissed the crowds, the disciples took Jesus away aboard a fishing boat. Also, other small fishing boats went with them. MK4:37 But, a great windstorm came up and the waves were smashing into the boat so that it was swamped. MK4:38 Jesus himself was in the stern asleep with his head on a cushion.[2] His disciples woke him up and yelled: “Lord, do you not care if we all perish!” MK4:39 So Jesus rose and then rebuked the wind, speaking to the sea: “Hush! Be quiet!” And the wind did stop and a perfect calm came over the sea. MK4:40 Jesus said to them: “Why are you so frightened? Have you no faith?” MK4:41 Then they were awestruck and said to one another: “Who really is this [person] that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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[1] Matthew 8:18, 23, 27: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] With his head on a cushion: This little detail is not mentioned in Matthew and Luke.

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Preceding

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 8:23-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Calms a Stormy Sea

Matthew 14 – Faith Small and Great – Key words: Dynamic Works

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:1-9 – Teaching in Parables

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:10-13 – How Will You Understand?

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:14-20 – Sower Parable Explained

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:21-23 – Light Exposes

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:24, 25 – Hearing and Responsibility

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:26-29 – The Sleeping Farmer

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:30-32 – Kingdom Like a Mustard Seed

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:33-34 – Public Parables, Private Teachings

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Additional reading

1. Fear in your own heart or outside of it
2. Why are you afraid?
3. So many being afraid – reason enough to step in the boat with Christ
4. “In The Midst Of The Storm”
5. Today’s thought “Stormy winds fulfilling his word” (February 2)
6. Today’s thought “Who then is this?” (February 8)

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Related articles

1. 3rd week of ordinary time – cycle 1- Saturday-gospel-reading Mark 4:35-41
2. Mark 4:35-41, let’s start
3. Mark 4:35-41 and some hard stuff
4. Mark 4:35-41 and a dead calm
5. Before and After Mark 4:35-41
6. Mark 4:35-41 and Footnotes
7. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 1); 4 Pentecost B 2021
8. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 2); 4 Pentecost B 2021
9. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 3); 4 Pentecost B 2021
10. Afraid/Unafraid
11. Do Not Be Afraid
12. Text Study for Mark 35-41 (Pt. 4); 4 Pentecost B 2021
13. The sayings of Jesus- Steps to Finding Peace in the Storms of Life.
14. On a desert Lake in a sudden Storm
15. Job and Jesus and the Revelation of God
16. Faith Has Better Teeth — Saturday Sermons from the Sidelines
17. Kingdom Creating Connections
18. 12 Ordinary Time Sunday
19. Be Quiet, Be Still: A Homily for June 20, 2021
20. Fear as an Invitation – Br. Curtis Almquist
21. Are We Going to Live in Fear or Faith?
22. Anchor Deep… and Hold On!
23. Stormy weather
24. Even the wind and the sea obey him; do you?
25. The Fear of the LORD
26. Jesus calms the storm
27. Calm Amid the Storm
28. Fear in the Storm
29. The Wednesday Word: Storms and the Majestic Saviour Part 1
30. The Wednesday Word: Storms and the Majestic Saviour Part 2
31. Mark 4:35-41 for real
32. Five Words
33. The Peace Speaker
34. Jesus is with us. There’s no need for fear.
35. Mark 4:35-41 in comparison
36. Singing in the Strain
37. The Eye of God in the Heart
38. Day 24: Beckoning
39. Morning Prayer for Friday January 22

Matthew 14:23-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Walking on Water

Matthew 14:23-34 – Walking on Water

|| Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21

MT14:23 Having dismissed the crowds Jesus climbed up into the mountains[1] to a private spot to pray. He was alone at night. MT14:24 Now the boat [with the disciples] was many stadia[2] from land and was hard put by tortuous waves and a head wind.[3] MT14:25 But in the fourth night watch[4] Jesus came toward them walking upon the sea.[5] MT14:26 Seeing him walking upon the sea the disciples were troubled, and screamed in their fear, “It is a phantom!”[6] MT14:27 Instantly Jesus yelled to them, “Courage, it is me! Do not fear!” MT14:28 But, Peter answered him, “Master, if it is really you command me to come toward you over the waters!”[7] MT14:29 Jesus yelled, “Come!” And, stepping out of the boat Peter walked toward Jesus upon the waters. MT14:30 But, noticing the wind[8] Peter became fearful and started to sink. Peter screamed, “Master, save me!” MT14:31 Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed Peter, telling him, “Why did you doubt,[9] Little Faith?”[10] MT14:32 After both of them boarded the boat the wind abated. MT14:33 Now the disciples in the boat prostrated before[11] Jesus, saying, “Truthfully you are a Son of God!”[12] MT14:34 And they survived[13] and came to the shore of Gennesaret.[14]

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[1] Jesus climbed up into the mountains: Or, WEY: he climbed the hill to pray in solitude. We see Jesus now and then seeking his own privacy and solitude. It is a healthy example for others to imitate when they need quiet for thinking and meditation.

[2] Stadia: A “stadium” equaled 1/8th of a Roman mile. Or, TCNT: some miles; NWT: hundreds of yards; NJB: some furlongs. They had not made much progress against the windstorm. John 6:18 has it, “they had rowed about three or four miles.” (NWT)

[3] Tortuous waves and a head wind: Or, NEB: battling with a head-wind and a rough sea.

[4] Fourth night watch: Or, WEY: towards daybreak; NEB: between three and six in the morning. The feeding of the crowd had begun about nightfall. Jesus had spent much of the night in meditative isolation. Now it may be near dawn. The disciples have been struggling some time.

[5] Walking upon the sea: One of the most famous subjects of master painters. It would be hard to think that someone could even conceive of such a miracle, it is so ludicrous; which gives it a powerful ring of truth.

[6] Phantom: The Greek is PHANTASMA and is rendered: NWT: apparition; KJV: a spirit; ASV: ghost.

[7] To come toward you over the waters: Only Peter could think of this audacious suggestion but we applaud his conviction.

[8] Noticing the wind: Stay focused!

[9] Doubt: A word appearing in the Gospels Matthew 14:31; 21:21; 28:17; Mark 11:23; Luke 24:38.

[10] Little Faith: Literally, “one of little faith.” Or, MOF: how little you trust me; PME: you little-faith; TCNT: why did you falter; PME: what made you lose your nerve like that. See Matthew 6:30 and Matthew 8:26.

[11] Prostrated before: The Greek is PRO(=before)KUNESAN(=kiss) and is rendered: KJV: worshipped; TCNT: threw themselves on their faces before him; NWT: did obeisance. The old English word “worship” though correct in its 16th century form (used of a judge “your, Worship.”) it gives a misleading impression in modern English. See lexicons on the use of PROSKUNEO. Vine’s: “to make obeisance, do reverence to” (from pros, “towards,” and kuneo, “to kiss”), is the most frequent word rendered “to worship.” It is used of an act of homage or reverence (a) to God, e.g., Matt. 4:10; John 4:21-24; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 22:9; 19:10 (2nd part); (b) to Christ, e.g., Matt. 2:2,8,11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9,17; John 9:38; Heb. 1:6, in a quotation from the Sept. of Deut. 32:43, referring to Christ’s Second Advent; (c) to a man, Matt. 18:26; (d) to the Dragon, by men, Rev. 13:4; (e) to the Beast, his human instrument, Rev. 13:4,8,12; 14:9,11; (f) the image of the Beast, Rev. 13:15; 14:11; 16:2; (g) to demons, Rev. 9:20; (h) to idols, Acts 7:43.

[12] A Son of God: The Greek is without the article and thus “a” may be inferred though most say “God’s Son.” Or, RIEU: a son of God. Compare Matthew 27:54.

[13] They survived: Or, having got through; got across.

[14] Gennesaret: Also a name for the Sea of Galilee. Josephus describes it as ‘beautiful, fruitful, and well-watered region, where walnut, palm, and olive trees thrived, and where figs and grapes were available for ten months out of the year.’ (The Jewish War, III, 516-521 [x, 8]) See Numbers 34:11 and compare Mark 6:53; Luke 5:1. This name was later changed to a Roman one. The work The Jesus Papyrus suggests this use of “Gennesaret” proves the Gospels were written before the year 50 AD during the “eye-witness period.”

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Preceding

Matthew 14:14-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: 5,000 Fed

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Related

1. Walk on water
2. Water walker
3. Keep Your Eyes On Jesus
4. Walking on the water
5. Water Walker
6. Why Did You Doubt? – Matthew 14:29-31
7. He lives in the storm
8. A Glimpse of your Glory, a reflection on Matthew 14.22-26
9. Miracles Today (Matthew 14:13–21)
10. Called onto the Water
11. A Taizé Kind of Faith
12. Walking on Water or Hiding in the Boat? [Mt 14:22-33]
13. Fear vs. Imagination: Matthew 14:22-33
14. Jesus and the Storms of Life
15. Time For Prayer
16. Miraculous Signs
17. If the Boat is the Church…

Matthew 8:23-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Calms a Stormy Sea

Matthew 8:23-27 – Jesus Calms a Stormy Sea

|| Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

MT8:23 Jesus’ disciples followed him as he embarked into the boat. MT8:24 And, look! a great disturbance[1] occurred in the sea and the boat was about to be swamped[2] by the [storm] waves. But Jesus was sleeping.[3] MT8:25 They approached Jesus and aroused him, saying, “Master, save us, for we are being destroyed!” MT8:26 And Jesus told them, “Why are you frightened,[4] you with little faith?”[5] Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea and a great calm occurred. MT8:27 But, these men wondered, saying, “What kind of person[6] is this that the winds and the sea obey him?”

[1] A great disturbance: The Greek is SEISMOS MEGAS as in a shaking, a great earthquake.

[2] About to be swamped: The Greek is literally “covered” indicating the height of the waves. The Sea of Galilee is capable of great and sudden storms. Only a person who is been in such a storm realizes the range of emotions among these seasoned fishermen. They surely were used to foul weather.

[3] Sleeping: Imagine the Nazarene’s dreams in such slumber surrounded by danger.

[4] Frightened: The Greek is DEILOI and is variously rendered: DIA: timid, KJV: fearful; RIEU: cowards

[5] Little faith: Some render the phrase: PME: little-faiths.

[6] What kind of person: They never think he is God.

Jesus calms the storm

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Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

Matthew 8:1-4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus a Miracle-working Son of God

Matthew 8:5-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Servant of Army Officer Healed

Matthew 8:14-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

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Further reading

1. Storm Coming In
2. In the Face of the Storm
3. Storms
4. When the storm is rocking your boat
5. Matthew 8:23-27
6. When your life is threatened (Matthew 8:23-27)
7. The calming of the storm at sea 
8. Calming the Storm
9. Peace Be Still
10. But It’s Impossible
11. 4 Important Lessons From Jesus’ Calming Of The Storm. 
12. God’s Word– The final authority to calm our storms
13. Podcast Wednesday – The grace to rest
14. What Kind Of Man Is This?
15. How much does love weigh?
16. Prayer- Lord Save Us, We Are Going Down (Matthew 8.23-27)
17. After the Storm

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

|| Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-42

MT4:18 Walking by the Sea of Galilee Jesus saw two brothers, Simon[1] (who is also called Peter[2]) and Andrew[3] his brother. They were fishermen and were casting their fishing-nets into the sea. MT4:19 And Jesus said to them, “Come here and follow me, and I will make you fishers of humans.” MT4:20 And these immediately dropped their nets[4] and they followed Jesus. MT4:21 And leaving there, Jesus saw two other brothers, James[5] the son of Zebedee and John[6] his brother. They were in the fishing boat with their father Zebedee repairing their nets. Jesus called them. MT4:22 At once these left the boat and their father and they followed Jesus.

[1] Simon: The first disciple called or invited. The name means “Listen” and occurs 80 times in the Christian Bible. Others are also called by this name.

Simon Peter and Andrew with Christ. Mortier. In the Bowyer Bible in Bolton Museum, England. Print 3543. From “An Illustrated Commentary on the Gospel of Mark” by Phillip Medhurst. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

[2] Peter: The name means “Rock” and occurs 175 times (most often in the Book of Acts) in the Christian Bible. Peter is most often listed first in the list of the apostles.

[3] Andrew: The second called. The name means “Manly” and occurs 13 times in the Christian Bible.

[4] Immediately dropped their nets: It is possible these men were baptized disciples of John the Baptist. It is also possible Jesus had known these men as he had grown up in the area of Galilee. One notes how quickly they were willing to quit their trade and follow the Messiah.

[5] James: The names means “Surplanter” and equals Jacob and occurs 54 times in the Christian Bible. It is possible that James was a cousin or kinsman of Jesus of Nazareth.

[6] John: The name means “Yah Favors; God’s Gift” and occurs 140 times in the Christian Bible.

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Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:1-4 A Wilderness Temptation

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:5-7 – A Temptation to Test God

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Jehovah God Maker of the entire universe served by a well-trained army

Next:

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

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Additional reading

1. Counterfeit Gospels
2. Truth, doubt or blindness
3. Good Morning January 25 We are theologians
4. The Pastor Theologian
5. Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach
6. A call easy to understand

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Further reading

1. Man’s true destiny
2. God’s Plumb Line
3. Surrender
4. Having Faith in God 
5. Scripture at Sunrise 2.7.2017
6. God’s Faithful Are Forever Blessed
7. Only Jesus Will Give You Eternal Life
8. Choose good over evil – February 01, 2017
9. What is your goal in publishing Christian Pharisees?
10. Our God is a Holy God
11. Two Selves: One Cannot Be Improved, the Other is Perfect in Christ (Part 1)
12. “Repent and Believe in the Good News”
13. Repent While You Can
14. Guilt — Why won’t it go away?
15. Jesus sends you out for your sake
16. Living in the Light
17. Why A Christian Should Not Say “This” To A Non-Christian – Part II
18. Do You Really Love Jesus?
19. Stones Into Bread
20. 3rd Sunday After Epiphany, January 22, 2017
21. Third Sunday of Epiphany 2017 – Matthew 4:21-22
22. 40 days
23. 40 days and 40 nights
24. Jesus Keeps Walking, God Keeps Moving
25. Light to the Nations?
26. Follow
27. Follow Me
28. Invited To Follow
29. Immediate
30. Repentance – Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23
31. Jesus calls his first disciples
32. Answering the Call (Mt 4:12-23)
33. Called Together
34. What Does ‘Fish for Men’ Mean?
35. Are You Really Following?
36. Faith & Fisherman
37. Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

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Related articles

• Daily Mass: Following Christ in the face of opposition. Catholic Inspiration
• Sunday reflection: Matthew 4:12 – 23
• Distinguishing Between Biblical Vs Man-Made Doctrine

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Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

|| Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:14

MT4:12 Now, having heard John [the Baptist] was arrested, Jesus retired into Galilee.[1] MT4:13 Leaving Nazareth[2] Jesus took up residence in Capernaum[3] by the sea in the districts of Zebulun[4] and Naphtali,[5] MT4:14 so that it might be fulfilled as it as spoken by Isaiah[6] the prophet, saying, MT4:15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, by the sea on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee[7] of the nations, MT4:16 those people[8] sitting in a region of death’s dark shadow saw a great Light rise upon them.” [Isaiah 9:1, 2] MT4:17 From that time[9] Jesus started preaching, saying, “Repent,[10] for the Realm of the heavens[11] has drawn near.”

Wooden longboat in the large freshwater lake Sea of Chinneret (Lake of Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias) Sea of Galilee, Tiberias.

[1] Galilee: The place occurs 76 times in the Bible with the region first mentioned at Numbers 34:11 (Joshua 20:7). The fresh water “lake” is also called the Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11), the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), and the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1). Jesus begins his ministry here and essentially ends it also at Galilee (John 21:1, 4-19). The lake is green/blue 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. “The density of the shoals of fish in the Sea of Galilee can scarcely be conceived by those who have not witnessed them. Frequently these shoals cover an acre or more of the surface and the fish, as they slowly move along in masses, are so crowded, with their back fins just appearing on the level of the water, that the appearance at a little distance is that of a violent shower of rain pattering on the surface.” (The Natural History of the Bible, H. B. Tristram, 1889, p. 285) All of Jesus’ faithful apostles came from this area.

[2] Nazareth: Probably just after Luke 4:28-30.

[3] Capernaum: The name means “Comforting Place.” The place occurs 16 times in the Christian Bible. Mark 2:1 calls this Jesus’ “home.” (“his house”)

[4] Zebulun: The territory named after a son of Israel occurs 48 times in the Bible with the first at Genesis 30:20. Compare Psalm 68:27. The name means perhaps “Toleration” or “Lofty Abode.” Compare Revelation 7:8.

[5] Naphtali: The name means “My Wrestlings.” The territory named after a son of Israel occurs 55 times in the Bible with the first at Genesis 30:8. Compare Revelation 7:6.

[6] Isaiah: Isaiah 9:1, 2. The prophet Isaiah is named 22 times in the Christian Bible (Matthew, 6; Mark, 2; Luke, 2; John, 4; Acts, 3; Romans, 5). In addition to direct quotations there are many allusions which are subtle paraphrases (Compare John 5:29 with Isaiah 26:19 LXX).

[7] Galilee: A prophecy indicating where Messiah would begin his ministry. It is in this area where the Nazarene sees his greatest fruitage – the foundation of Christianity.

[8] Those people: Note Acts 1:11; 2:7. We have a great spiritual debt to these folks.

[9] From that time: About a year after John the Baptist began his own ministry.

[10] Repent: The first words of the “Gospel” in the mouth of Jesus. Repentance is part of the Lord’s Gospel.

[11] Realm of the heavens: Or, “kingdom of the heavens.” The meaning is two fold: a) the King is present; and, b) the opportunity to enter the Nazarene’s realm of profession by confessing him as Lord.

Capernaum, Sea of Galilee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:1-4 A Wilderness Temptation

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:5-7 – A Temptation to Test God

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

Next:

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

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Additional reading

1. Invitation for the Studyday about Isaiah Messenger of joy
2. God showing how far He is willing to go to save His children
3. John 4 exhortation: The one that broke the mould
4. Repentance and conversion are not milestones which we pass on the way of life and never see again
5. Salvation, Baptism and Re-baptism
6. Together tasting a great promisse
7. God receives us on the basis of our faith
8. Doest thou well to be Angry?

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Further reading

1. Man’s true destiny
2. My People Do Not Know
3. The carnal mind – January 25, 2017
4. We Have Sinned
5. God’s Plumb Line
6. Surrender
7. Having Faith in God 
8. Scripture at Sunrise 2.7.2017
9. God’s Faithful Are Forever Blessed
10. Only Jesus Will Give You Eternal Life
11. Choose good over evil – February 01, 2017
12. What is your goal in publishing Christian Pharisees?
13. Our God is a Holy God
14. Two Selves: One Cannot Be Improved, the Other is Perfect in Christ (Part 1)
15. Repent
16. “Repent and Believe in the Good News”
17. Repentance is More than saying I’m Sorry
18. Am I Wired To Repent?
19. Embracing Repentance
20. Hold Fast In The Lord and Repent
21. Repent While You Can
22. Guilt — Why won’t it go away?
23. How Does One Repent?
24. Ask The Lord To Cast Away Your Sins
25. Jesus sends you out for your sake
26. Living in the Light
27. Why A Christian Should Not Say “This” To A Non-Christian – Part II
28. Do You Really Love Jesus?
29. Stones Into Bread
30. 3rd Sunday After Epiphany, January 22, 2017
31. Third Sunday of Epiphany 2017 – Matthew 4:21-22
32. 40 days
33. 40 days and 40 nights
34. Jesus Keeps Walking, God Keeps Moving
35. Light to the Nations?
36. Follow
37. Follow Me
38. Invited To Follow
39. Immediate
40. Repentance – Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23
41. Jesus calls his first disciples
42. Answering the Call (Mt 4:12-23)
43. Called Together
44. What Does ‘Fish for Men’ Mean?
45. Are You Really Following?
46. Faith & Fisherman
47. Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

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Related articles

• Sunday reflection: Matthew 4:12 – 23
• Daily Mass: Following Christ in the face of opposition. Catholic Inspiration
• Life and death…choose Life!
• Distinguishing Between Biblical Vs Man-Made Doctrine
• Your Word for This Day: “Rest in your True Position”
• Gospel-Centered Reading of Psalms
• Who Do You Say He Is? – Sunday Thought For The Day
• John 14.5 John – Do you want there to be a God?
• Sunday, 8 January 2017 : Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

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