Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 22-32
It is 40 days after the Great Feast of Christmas - and so today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  This feast celebrates and focuses on two people: Jesus and Mary.  Poor Joseph was along for the ride.  Consecration and Purification.  And it holds lessons for us today.  

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5, verses 21-43
We close out chapter 5 of Mark's Gospel (in two days!) with another long reading containing a story within a story: two women, suffering and moving closer to death.  Both cause acts of desperation.  And both lead toward salvation and new life.  What do we have to learn within these stories?  It's ok to be honest with God.  And desperation can, at times, lead us to a safe harbor. 

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5, verses 1-20
On this feast of St. John Bosco, Jesus gets into a boat with his friends and crosses over to the other side of Lake Galilee.  What he encounters there is a madman, awe, anger and ultimately healing.  He simply had to have the courage to make the journey.  
Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, verses 26-34
We celebrate Thomas Aquinas, one of the most brilliant minds in all of Christianity.  And one of Thomas's tenants: God can be rationally seen within creation.  So what better than to apply that reasoning to our Gospel today.  Jesus uses two other images for what the Kingdom of God is like and he uses images that would be familiar to the people to whom he is speaking.  Growth and seeds.  Time and Life.  It's God's work -- but we participate within it.  Just keep swimming...
Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, verses 21-25
Jesus, fresh from speaking to us about planting the seed in good soil, reminds us that that seed is within to be grown.  The light is given to us in order to be shown, not hidden.  And counterintuitively, in giving it away, we find we have more to give.  Generosity begets generosity.  
Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, verses 1-20
Another day, another feast - today the Feast of Ss. Timothy & Titus.  Today we hear Jesus teach a familiar parable - the sower and the seeds.  Our challenge?  Don't let it get too familiar.  Let's invite ourselves into the story and ask - which soil, which field are we today and how do we become familiar when the soil within us changes?  And what field are we sowing the seed in today?
Original music written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 16, verses 15-18
Today we celebrate a major feast day - the Conversion of Paul.  What may seem like a fringe incident as we listen to the Gospels and study the life of Jesus is actually central to who we are and how we came to be.  And it still holds truths for us all these years later.
Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 3, verses 22-30
On this Feast of St. Francis de Sales (bishop and doctor of the Church), Jesus speaks to us about Truth, even as He is being undermined by those around Him.  And toward the end, He speaks about the unforgiveable sin - the sin against the Holy Spirit.  Exactly what is that?  And how do we avoid falling into such a thing?
Original music by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 3, verses 13-19
On this Feast of St. Agnes, we see Jesus invite people along for the journey.  The job description?  Be prepared to climb, stick together, don't get comfortable.  The qualifications?  Was it goodness?  Holiness?  Insight?  Nope.  Possibility...and the ability to say yes.  

Gospel of Mark, Chapter 3, verses 7-12
Jesus, having faced confrontation at every turn, tries to get away.  But He just can't.  People seek Him out and press in upon Him.  Does he lash out and get angry, just asking others for space?  No.  Instead, He gets creative in how He creates that space.  We are also challenged to remain humble in our understanding and knowledge of God.