The upside is down

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary are both expected and unexpected. The first letter of Peter, which according to Friar Jude Winkler was authored by Peter through his scribe, asserts the fulfillment of ancient  prophesy in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The service of the prophets was not for themselves but for future communities. Their announcements were made in the influence of the Holy Spirit. This holiness is gift from God and like the holiness code from Leviticus, we need to practice discipline which avoids the unholy attitudes and actions in our relationships.The Gospel of Mark today continues the teaching of the difficulty of trying to possess people, property and power. There seems to be a response to the "What's in it for me?" question. Friar Jude explains that this is not "the prosperity Gospel" where the good people are rewarded by God, but is the presentation of the consequence of simplicity in life, like St Francis example. The subversive aspect of living against the accepted flow in society will bring persecution. The freedom from possessions, power, pride and passions may seem to put us last in the society, but the Life which is lived in that freedom puts us first.