Year B’s five-week early-summer plan

This is Year B of the liturgical cycle, the year that highlights the Gospel of Mark. With the passing of Pentecost, late Ordinary time begins, the longer, later segment of Ordinary Time that extends from the conclusion of the Easter Season until the beginning of Advent, from June to the end of November.

Each liturgical cycle has an overarching plan, an intentionally chosen sequence of readings that concentrates on various aspects of discipleship. Also, every gospel passage reveals one or more things about who Jesus is; it makes a Christological statement. After the two major doctrinal feasts of the Most Holy Trinity and the Body and Blood of Christ in Year B, there is a five-week series of gospel readings taken from Mark, chapters four through six, which begins on Week Twelve and continues until Week Sixteen, that highlight different aspects of Jesus’ identity.

Week Twelve recounts how Jesus calmed a storm at sea (Mk 4:35-41). Jesus demonstrated authority over the forces of nature, power unknown to any human being, power reserved to God alone. Jesus has the power of the Creator, the power of God. Moreover, Jesus stood at the head of the boat, a symbol for the Church; he is head of the Body of Christ.

Week Thirteen retells how Jesus cured a woman afflicted with a hemorrhage and raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mk 5:21-43). Jesus has authority over two things that petrify human beings, sickness and death. Jesus has the power to cure, he is the great healer, and the power to raise up, he is the great giver of life.

Week Fourteen remembers the occasion when Jesus returned to Nazareth to teach in his hometown synagogue (Mk 6:1-6). When some in the audience objected to him, he replied, “No prophet is without honor in his native place.” Jesus is the teacher and the great prophet.

Week Fifteen recalls the commissioning of the disciples, how Jesus sent the Twelve out two-by-two to do his work (Mk 6:7-13). Jesus identified the mission, selected the personnel, shared his power with them, and formally commissioned and sent them. Jesus is commander and chief.

Finally, Week Sixteen reports the occasion when Jesus tried to go off with the disciples to get some well-deserved rest, but how the people pursued him relentlessly (Mk 6:30-34). They were like sheep without a shepherd, so he began to teach them. Jesus has the power to attract. He is the magnetic one. He cares like no other. He is the Good Shepherd, and like Week Fourteen, once again, he is the teacher.