The following narrative of Mark 6 continues the process of revealing to us who Jesus truly is and the broader call that is made of all of us who follow Him in the way we live our lives.  As we see in a common trend in this chapter, in our lives, we are presented with opportunities to serve God and His people every day. Yet, even those who can be seen as closest to Him, in the people of his neighbors or disciples, can have hardened hearts in spite of the revelations He offers to them and us daily.  Thus our hardheartedness will only lead to destruction, as seen in the events that lead to the death of John, yet this is contrasted with the apostolic call of service, which is revealed to feed the multitudes.  Christ is offering us the fruit of the kingdom, yet whether we accept it or not is totally up to us.  Thus we have a call to accept the gift that is offered to us and take on the apostolic mission to share it with others, but we also have the freedom to reject it and harden our hearts leading to our deviation from our true call.

St. John The Baptist website:

https://www.saintjohnthebaptist.org/

GOA Parish Directory:

https://www.goarch.org/parishes

List of Sources Used For This Study:

Revised Standard Version of the Bible

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201&version=RSV

The Religion of the Apostles

Fr. Stephan De Young

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-religion-of-the-apostles-orthodox-christianity-in-the-first-century?_pos=1&_psq=the+religion+of+the+ap&_ss=e&_v=1.0

At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/at-the-end-of-time

The Gospel According to Saint Mark

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-according-to-saint-mark

Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to Mark (Soft Cover)

Theophylact of Ochrid

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/0635c1b0-0fb9-11e7-e820-5b79d48c82f2?_pos=6&_sid=5f044f26b&_ss=r

The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant

Fr. Lawrence R. Farley

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-of-mark-the-suffering-servant?_pos=3&_psq=The+gospel+of+ma&_ss=e&_v=1.0

The New Testament Introduction, vol. 1. - Paul and Mark

Fr. Paul N Tarazi

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/new-testament-introduction-the-vol-i-paul-and-mark?_pos=9&_sid=81aa9a5a0&_ss=r

Authority and Passion

Archbishop Demetrios, Formerly of America

New Edition Coming Soon

Mark

C. Clifton Black

Mark 1-8

Mark 8-16

Joel Marcus

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Mark

Thomas C. Oden & Christopher A. Hall