Peter gave an oral presentation, then leaves.
The people go to Mark because they want a record of the teachings that had been given.
Peter hears about the writings of Mark and authorizes it.
"Testimony of St. Mark"
Focused on Gentiles in Rome
Fast-moving
More about deeds than sayings
No birth of Jesus
Christ chooses John the Baptist because he has the authority.
John was somewhat wild. Ate locusts and wild honey, wore a camel's skin.
Some think that Jesus' baptism by John was a sign of subjigation.
Sometimes we throw seeds into the "ground" of someone else. We don't know how it grows (the Lord does his own work), but we need to watch it, and when there's fruit, we need to thrust in our sickle.
Four friends are trying to get their friend to Jesus. They open up a hole in the roof and drop their friend in front of Jesus. The scribes are there (they interpret the law). Jesus only says "thy sins be forgiven thee".
Why? What is the connection between physical healing and forgiveness of sins?
The scribes don't believe it, Jesus heals the man.