Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional – Ninth Week in Ordinary Time – Friday – Mark 12:35-37

Having cleared the Temple (Mark 11:15-19) and rebuked and corrected various groups of Jewish leaders, Jesus turns His attention to teaching the “great crowds” in the Temple.

He begins with a mysterious contradiction in how the Messiah (Jesus Himself) was understood by the Jews.  The crowds believed the scribes’ teaching that Psalm 110 was a prophecy that the Messiah was to be the son of David.  King David, who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to author the psalm, asserts that the Messiah (“my lord”) is invited by God (“The Lord”) to sit at “God’s right hand.”

Despite the familiarity with this prophecy, the scribes and the crowd had not caught the contradiction.  The Jews rightly honored patriarchy (“honor thy father”) and David, the greatest king of Israel, would not call his son (either his own son or in his linage), “lord.”  The crowd as “delighted” because of the revealing of the powerful mystery of how the Messiah could be both the “son of David” and David’s “lord.”

The mystery will be resolved with the Resurrection: Jesus is the Son of David by His human linage both through Joseph (Matt 1:1-16) and the Virgin Mary (Luke 3:23-38) and the Son of God through His divine linage (Luke 1:35).  As a result, Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is both the son of David and infinitely superior to David (his “lord”).

Awed by Jesus Christ – Jesus, Divine Person of the Trinity, inspires infinitely rich and deep Scripture and also fulfills Scripture.  Jesus, the Divine Teacher, reveals the fullness of the truth of Scripture beyond the insight of even the greatest scholars. Christ, the Davidic King and Lord, has powerful presence and wisdom that draws and awes great crowds.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Christ draws and delights great crowds with His astounding insights into Scripture. Consider that the wisdom of the greatest saints, theologians and popes of the Church pale in comparison to the knowledge of Christ.  Be awed.

2) Jesus affirms that Scripture is written by the direct inspiration of God. Reflect upon the fact that the Scripture handed down by Catholic Church is the actual word of God.  Commit to a never-ending effort to meet and know Christ by studying the Bible, guided by the Church.

3) Modern men reject monarchies but Jesus is a King who rules the Kingdom of Heaven. Realize that you are a simple and lowly subject of the Eternal King who is called to heroically serve your Lord.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ

Virtue of the Day – Faith