Reading for December 20th

Read Mark 3.7-19 7-12 (Mt 12.15-21; Lk 6.17-19 Public healings.
In verse 8 the sites listed are areas with predominately Jewish populations.
In verses 13-19 (Mt 10.2-4; Lk 6.12-16) The twelve disciples.
The twelve symbolically represent the tribes of Israel; Gospel variations in the names of the twelve suggest the number was of greater import than the individuals.
Apostle, a Greek term for messenger, is a special category of disciple.
In verse 16 the name Peter comes from the Greek "petra," meaning "rock" (as in "petrified").
In verse 17 James and John elsewhere express turbulent personalities (Lk 9.54-55).
In verse 18 Cananaeans were anti-Roman revolutionaries.
In verse 19 Mark does not provide Judas a motive; until the passion, Judas appears as a loyal disciple.
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