First Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 23
Lectionary: 23
God said to Noah and to his sons with him:
"See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."
God added:
"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth,
and the bow appears in the clouds,
I will recall the covenant I have made
between me and you and all living beings,
so that the waters shall never again become a flood
to destroy all mortal beings."
"See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."
God added:
"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth,
and the bow appears in the clouds,
I will recall the covenant I have made
between me and you and all living beings,
so that the waters shall never again become a flood
to destroy all mortal beings."
Responsorial
PsalmPS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.
R. (cf. 10) Your
ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Reading 2 1 PT 3:18-22
Beloved:
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
who had once been disobedient
while God patiently waited in the days of Noah
during the building of the ark,
in which a few persons, eight in all,
were saved through water.
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven
and is at the right hand of God,
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
who had once been disobedient
while God patiently waited in the days of Noah
during the building of the ark,
in which a few persons, eight in all,
were saved through water.
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven
and is at the right hand of God,
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
Verse Before
The GospelMT 4:4B
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
GospelMK 1:12-15
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Meditation: Repent and believe in the Gospel
What is the significance of Jesus spending
40 days and nights of solitude, prayer and fasting in the Judean wilderness? In
the Old Testament 40 days was often seen as a significant period of testing and
preparation for entering into a covenant relationship with God. In the days of
Noah, God judged the earth and destroyed its inhabitants in a great flood
because of their idolatry and total rejection of God. Noah and his family were
spared because they obeyed God and took refuge in the ark for 40 days. When the
flood subsided God made a covenant with Noah and promised that he would not
destroy the human race again. Jesus came to fulfill that promise.
Forty days of retreat to seek the face of God
When God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt he brought them into the wilderness of Sinai. Moses went to the mountain of the Lord at Sinai and remained there in prayer and fasting for 40 days (Exodus 24:18). At the conclusion of this 40 day encounter God made a covenant with Moses and the people. After the prophet Elijah had confronted the sin of idolatry (the worship of false gods) in the land of Israel and destroyed the 400 priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40), he fled into the wilderness and journeyed for 40 days to the mountain of God at Sinai (1 Kings 19:8). There God spoke with Elijah and commissioned him to pass on the work of restoring the worship of the one true God in the land. After Jesus was anointed by the Spirit in the waters of the Jordan River, he journeyed to the wilderness of Judea for 40 days to prepare himself for the mission which the Father sent him to accomplish - to offer up his life as the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins. Through the shedding of his blood on the cross he won for us a new and everlasting covenant which fulfilled and surpassed all the previous covenants which God had made with his people.
Forty days of retreat to seek the face of God
When God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt he brought them into the wilderness of Sinai. Moses went to the mountain of the Lord at Sinai and remained there in prayer and fasting for 40 days (Exodus 24:18). At the conclusion of this 40 day encounter God made a covenant with Moses and the people. After the prophet Elijah had confronted the sin of idolatry (the worship of false gods) in the land of Israel and destroyed the 400 priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40), he fled into the wilderness and journeyed for 40 days to the mountain of God at Sinai (1 Kings 19:8). There God spoke with Elijah and commissioned him to pass on the work of restoring the worship of the one true God in the land. After Jesus was anointed by the Spirit in the waters of the Jordan River, he journeyed to the wilderness of Judea for 40 days to prepare himself for the mission which the Father sent him to accomplish - to offer up his life as the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins. Through the shedding of his blood on the cross he won for us a new and everlasting covenant which fulfilled and surpassed all the previous covenants which God had made with his people.
God's Word and Spirit sustains those who seek God's
will
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Mark states it most emphatically: "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness" (Mark 1:12). Why was Jesus compelled to seek solitude for such a lengthy period? Was it simply a test to prepare him for his ministry? Or did Satan want to lure him into a trap? The word tempt in English usually means to entice to sin or wrong-doing. The scriptural word here also means test in the sense of proving and purifying someone to see if there are ready for the task at hand. We test pilots to see that they are fit to fly. Likewise God tests his servants to see if they are fit to be used by him.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us in their Gospel accounts that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Mark states it most emphatically: "The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness" (Mark 1:12). Why was Jesus compelled to seek solitude for such a lengthy period? Was it simply a test to prepare him for his ministry? Or did Satan want to lure him into a trap? The word tempt in English usually means to entice to sin or wrong-doing. The scriptural word here also means test in the sense of proving and purifying someone to see if there are ready for the task at hand. We test pilots to see that they are fit to fly. Likewise God tests his servants to see if they are fit to be used by him.
God tested Abraham to prove his faith. The Israelites
were sorely tested in Egypt before God delivered them from their enemies. Jesus
was no exception to this testing. Satan,
in turn, did his best to entice Jesus to chose his own will over the will of
his Father in heaven. Despite his weakened condition, due to fatigue and lack
of food for 40 days, Jesus steadfastly rejected Satan's subtle and not so
subtle temptations. Where did Jesus find his strength to survive the desert's
harsh conditions and the tempter's seduction? He fed on his Father's word and found
strength in doing his will. Satan
will surely tempt us and will try his best to get us to choose our will over
God's will. If he can’t make us renounce our faith or sin mortally, he will
then try to get us to make choices that will lead us, little by little, away
from what God wants for us.
As soon as John the Baptist had finished his ministry,
Jesus began his in Galilee, his home district. John's enemies had sought to
silence him, but the Gospel cannot be silenced. Jesus proclaimed that the time
of restoration proclaimed by the prophets was now being fulfilled in his very
person and that the kingdom of God was at hand. What is the kingdom of God? The
word "kingdom" means something more than a territory or an area of
land. It literally means "sovereignty" or "reign" and the
power to "rule" and exercise authority. The prophets announced that
God would establish a kingdom not just for one nation or people but for the
whole world. God sent us his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, not to establish an
earthly kingdom but to bring us into his heavenly kingdom - a kingdom ruled by
justice, truth, peace, and holiness. The kingdom of God is the central theme of
Jesus' mission. It's the core of his Gospel message.
Two conditions for the kingdom - repent and believe
How do we enter the kingdom of God? In announcing the good news of the Gospel Jesus gave two explicit things each of us must do in order to receive the kingdom of God: repent and believe. Repent means to turn away from sin and wrong-doing in order to follow God's way of love, truth, and moral goodness. When we submit to God's rule in our lives and believe in the Gospel message the Lord Jesus gives us the grace and power to live a new way of life as citizens of his kingdom. He gives us grace to renounce the kingdom of darkness ruled by pride, sin, and Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the ruler of this present world (John 12:31). Repentance is the first step to surrendering my will and my life to God.
How do we enter the kingdom of God? In announcing the good news of the Gospel Jesus gave two explicit things each of us must do in order to receive the kingdom of God: repent and believe. Repent means to turn away from sin and wrong-doing in order to follow God's way of love, truth, and moral goodness. When we submit to God's rule in our lives and believe in the Gospel message the Lord Jesus gives us the grace and power to live a new way of life as citizens of his kingdom. He gives us grace to renounce the kingdom of darkness ruled by pride, sin, and Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the ruler of this present world (John 12:31). Repentance is the first step to surrendering my will and my life to God.
Repentance means to change - to change my way of
thinking, my attitude, my disposition, and the way I choose to live my life -
so that the Lord Jesus can be the Master and Ruler of my heart, mind, and will.
Whatever stands in the way of God's will and plan for my life must be
surrendered to him - my sinful pride, my rebellious attitude, and stubborn will
to do as I please rather than as God pleases. If I am only sorry for the
consequences of my own sinful ways, I will very likely keep repeating the same
sins that control my thoughts and actions. True repentance requires a contrite
heart and true sorrow for sin (Psalm 51:17) and a firm resolution to avoid the
near occasion of sin. The Lord Jesus gives us the grace to see sin for what it
really is - a rejection of his love, truth, and wisdom for our lives and a refusal
to do what he says is right and good for us. His grace brings pardon and
freedom from guilt, and breaks the power of bondage to sin in our lives through
the strength and help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. If we yield to
the Holy Spirit and not to our sinful inclinations, we will find the strength
and help we need to turn away from all wrong-doing and whatever else might keep
us from living in his truth and love.
To believe is to take Jesus at his
word and to recognize that God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten
Son to free us from bondage to sin and harmful desires. God made the supreme
sacrifice of his Son on the cross to bring us back to a relationship of peace,
friendship, and unity with our Father in heaven. He is our Father
and he wants us to live in joy and freedom as his beloved sons
and daughters. God loved us first and he invites us in love to surrender our
lives to him. Do you believe in the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ -
and in the power of the Holy Spirit who transforms each one of us into the
likeness of Christ?
“Lord Jesus, your word is life, joy, wisdom, and
strength for me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may have the strength and
courage to embrace your will in all things and to renounce whatever is contrary
to your will for me.”
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: The call to repentance, by
Chromatius (died 406 AD)
"The voice of the Lord urging the people to
repentance - the Holy Spirit made it known to the people that they might take
heed, saying, 'Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in
the rebellion, as in the day of testing in the wilderness' (Psalm 95:8). In the
same psalm above, he made clear that he was urging the sinful people to
repentance and showed the state of a repentant soul, saying, 'Come, let us fall
down before him and lament before the Lord who made us, for he is our God'
(Psalm 95:6-7). The Lord urges the people to repentance, and he promises to
pardon their sins, according to Isaiah's words: 'I, even I, am the one who
wipes out your iniquities, and I will not be mindful of your sins. But you be
mindful, declare first your iniquities that you may be justified' (Isaiah
43:25-26). Rightly then does the Lord urge the people to repentance when he
says, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' so that through this
confession of sins they may be made worthy to approach the kingdom of
heaven." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 15.3)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and
bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome.
He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy
man."]
1st Sunday of Lent – Cycle B
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 9:8-15
On this 1st Sunday in Lent, we look back to the covenant between God and Noah. In passing through the waters, Noah became aware of his relationship with God, and the rainbow became the sign of that covenant relationship.
8 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “See,
God is fulfilling His promise of Genesis 6:18-21.
I am now establishing my covenant with you
More than the promise of Genesis 6:18, a covenant makes them part of God’s family and thus under His protection.
and your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. 11 I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
This covenant, like all covenants, is perpetual – it has no time limit; and like all covenants, it also has associated with it blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The covenant is extended to all creation and although unilateral, initiated and instituted by God, it implicitly requires Noah and his descendants to obey (just as Noah and his family had done when they climbed aboard the ark). If they don’t obey, they won’t be flooded again, but other calamities (curses) will befall them. Because only mankind is made by God with a soul (made in God’s image), only mankind who disobeyed in the original sin, is required to be obedient.
12 God added: “This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
The rainbow is the sign of this covenant. All covenants have visible signs, whether they be circumcision, rainbows, or the waters of baptism. For the ancient pagans, the rainbow was a sign of the god’s displeasure and it was used to inflict divine punishment. Now, God uses this sign to indicate His appeasement.
14 When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.
Does God forget? No, the sign is not for God’s benefit, but for man to see and recall God’s goodness.
2nd Reading - 1 Peter 3:18-22
This first letter of Peter was written around A.D. 64 to the people of God scattered throughout the wide area of Asia Minor. It is not addressed to any specific person or congregation. These people of God are thought to be of Gentile origin because this area was not known as a Jewish land or known to have been heavily settled by Jews.
The letter was sent by Saint Peter from Rome to console and strengthen these Christians in the new life to which they have been introduced by baptism. The disparagement, suffering and persecution which these people are encountering appears to have been coming from their pagan neighbors who revile them and abuse them for the “name of Christ” (4:14). Saint Peter writes to urge them to be faithful to their calling, seeing that they are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (2:9).
In our reading today, Saint Paul is reminding them of the effect of their baptism – they now bear the sign of the covenant upon their soul.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.
Christ had an earthly life but His sacrifice on the altar of the cross was so that heaven could be opened and we could approach God. Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of all humanity has made it possible for us all to have our sins forgiven and forgotten.
Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.
In contrast to His earthly life, at the resurrection, Jesus became pneuma (breath, spirit). He was raised by the Father’s glory and endowed with the power which enables Him to bring others to the divine life. Contrasting of Jesus’ earthly and divine life is a tool also used in Romans (1:34) and 1 Timothy (3:16).
19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
To the souls in sheol (hades, purgatory), the abode of the dead. All the souls who were destined for heaven but could not yet enter because heaven was closed. Josephus, a first century Pharisee and historian, gives us this description of sheol:
“Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained ... a place in the world not regularly finished; a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine ... This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to everyone’s behavior and manners ... it is prepared for a day afore determined by God, in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men; when the unjust and those that have been disobedient to God ... shall be adjudged to ... everlasting punishment ... while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.” [Flavius Josephus (ca. A.D. 70), Discourse to the Greeks Concerning Hades, 1-2]
Although the reading says He went to “preach” to these souls, it might be better said that He “announced” that He had triumphed – He had made the sacrifice which had opened heaven.
“Christ descended into hades in order to acquaint the patriarchs and prophets with His redeeming mission.” [Tertullian (between A.D. 208-212), The Soul 55,2]
20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark,
According to the Gospel of Thomas (an apocryphal writing) chapter 19, Jesus took Adam by the hand and all the rest of the saints joined hands and ascended with Him to paradise where they met Enoch, Elijah, and the good thief.
in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.
It is interesting that the Chinese character for “large ship” is made up of the characters for
“eight souls.”
21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
Notice how Saint Peter draws the parallel between baptism and Noah’s escape. The flood was a prototype of baptism.
“The water of the flood is a type of baptism because it both punished evil people and saved the good, just as baptism expels evil spirits and saves those who turn to Christ. This shows the great power of baptism, and how much we need it.” [Andreas (ca. 7th century), Catena]
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
It is not mere washing, it accomplishes far more.
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
To maintain the correct attitude and follow the covenant
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,
The place of honor; also an allusion to Psalm 110:1
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
He has regained His holy place above the angels. See Hebrews 1:13 and 2:2.
Gospel - Mark 1:12-15
As Jesus started His public ministry, immediately after His baptism by John according to the gospels of Matthew and Mark, He was tempted by the devil. It is of this temptation and the very beginning of His public ministry that we hear about today.
12 [T]he Spirit drove him out
Jesus is obedient to His Father.
into the desert,
The journey to the desert isn’t for Jesus’ benefit, but for ours. The desert is a place of isolation, a place of introspection and meditation, a place to get closer to God. The Israelites spent forty years in the desert getting to know God better before entering into the promised land. Although no details are given, it is usually assumed that this is the Judean desert where John the Baptist had been active.
“Soon after He had been baptized He performed a fast of forty days by Himself, and He taught and informed us by His example that, after we have received forgiveness of sins in baptism, we should devote ourselves to vigils, feasts, prayers and other spiritually fruitful things, lest when we are sluggish and less vigilant the unclean spirit expelled from our heart by baptism may return, and finding us fruitless in spiritual riches, weigh us down again with a sevenfold pestilence, and our last state would then be worse than the first.” (Saint Bede the Venerable (ca. A.D. 720), Homilies on the Gospels, 1,12).
13 and he remained in the desert for forty days,
Forty is the number which indicates change. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain, Noah encountered 40 days of rain, Israel spent 40 years in the desert.
tempted by Satan.
The name Satan means “adversary, tempter, accuser.” Before he was cast from heaven his name was Lucifer which means “light bearer;” now his name has been changed and he is the prince of darkness. The believer is constantly exposed to attacks (temptations) by Satan. The exact temptations of Jesus are not recounted in this gospel.
He was among wild beasts,
These may symbolize the beginning of the Messianic age as paradise regained (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18); or it may symbolize the evil with which Jesus contends (Psalm 22:13-22; Isaiah 13:1-22; Ezekiel 34:5, 8, 25).
and the angels ministered to him.
The angels are God’s army, fighting on God’s side against the evil spirits.
14 After John had been arrested,
A foreshadowing of Jesus’ fate
Jesus came to Galilee
The Galilean ministry is central to Mark’s gospel. It is not only the scene of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, it is also where the Apostles go to meet the Risen Lord (Mark 16:7).
proclaiming the gospel of God:
The term “gospel” is most likely an editorial addition which applies a Christian term to God’s message.
15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
This is the same as John the Baptist’s message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The key is repentance. The time of fulfillment, the “age to come” in Jewish theology has arrived – the Messiah has arrived and sins can be forgiven and mankind reconciled with God.
Note: Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Genesis 9:8-15
On this 1st Sunday in Lent, we look back to the covenant between God and Noah. In passing through the waters, Noah became aware of his relationship with God, and the rainbow became the sign of that covenant relationship.
8 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “See,
God is fulfilling His promise of Genesis 6:18-21.
I am now establishing my covenant with you
More than the promise of Genesis 6:18, a covenant makes them part of God’s family and thus under His protection.
and your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. 11 I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.”
This covenant, like all covenants, is perpetual – it has no time limit; and like all covenants, it also has associated with it blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The covenant is extended to all creation and although unilateral, initiated and instituted by God, it implicitly requires Noah and his descendants to obey (just as Noah and his family had done when they climbed aboard the ark). If they don’t obey, they won’t be flooded again, but other calamities (curses) will befall them. Because only mankind is made by God with a soul (made in God’s image), only mankind who disobeyed in the original sin, is required to be obedient.
12 God added: “This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
The rainbow is the sign of this covenant. All covenants have visible signs, whether they be circumcision, rainbows, or the waters of baptism. For the ancient pagans, the rainbow was a sign of the god’s displeasure and it was used to inflict divine punishment. Now, God uses this sign to indicate His appeasement.
14 When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.
Does God forget? No, the sign is not for God’s benefit, but for man to see and recall God’s goodness.
2nd Reading - 1 Peter 3:18-22
This first letter of Peter was written around A.D. 64 to the people of God scattered throughout the wide area of Asia Minor. It is not addressed to any specific person or congregation. These people of God are thought to be of Gentile origin because this area was not known as a Jewish land or known to have been heavily settled by Jews.
The letter was sent by Saint Peter from Rome to console and strengthen these Christians in the new life to which they have been introduced by baptism. The disparagement, suffering and persecution which these people are encountering appears to have been coming from their pagan neighbors who revile them and abuse them for the “name of Christ” (4:14). Saint Peter writes to urge them to be faithful to their calling, seeing that they are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (2:9).
In our reading today, Saint Paul is reminding them of the effect of their baptism – they now bear the sign of the covenant upon their soul.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.
Christ had an earthly life but His sacrifice on the altar of the cross was so that heaven could be opened and we could approach God. Jesus’ sacrifice for the sins of all humanity has made it possible for us all to have our sins forgiven and forgotten.
Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.
In contrast to His earthly life, at the resurrection, Jesus became pneuma (breath, spirit). He was raised by the Father’s glory and endowed with the power which enables Him to bring others to the divine life. Contrasting of Jesus’ earthly and divine life is a tool also used in Romans (1:34) and 1 Timothy (3:16).
19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
To the souls in sheol (hades, purgatory), the abode of the dead. All the souls who were destined for heaven but could not yet enter because heaven was closed. Josephus, a first century Pharisee and historian, gives us this description of sheol:
“Now as to Hades, wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained ... a place in the world not regularly finished; a subterraneous region, wherein the light of this world does not shine ... This region is allotted as a place of custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to everyone’s behavior and manners ... it is prepared for a day afore determined by God, in which one righteous sentence shall deservedly be passed upon all men; when the unjust and those that have been disobedient to God ... shall be adjudged to ... everlasting punishment ... while the just shall obtain an incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are confined.” [Flavius Josephus (ca. A.D. 70), Discourse to the Greeks Concerning Hades, 1-2]
Although the reading says He went to “preach” to these souls, it might be better said that He “announced” that He had triumphed – He had made the sacrifice which had opened heaven.
“Christ descended into hades in order to acquaint the patriarchs and prophets with His redeeming mission.” [Tertullian (between A.D. 208-212), The Soul 55,2]
20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark,
According to the Gospel of Thomas (an apocryphal writing) chapter 19, Jesus took Adam by the hand and all the rest of the saints joined hands and ascended with Him to paradise where they met Enoch, Elijah, and the good thief.
in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.
It is interesting that the Chinese character for “large ship” is made up of the characters for
“eight souls.”
21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
Notice how Saint Peter draws the parallel between baptism and Noah’s escape. The flood was a prototype of baptism.
“The water of the flood is a type of baptism because it both punished evil people and saved the good, just as baptism expels evil spirits and saves those who turn to Christ. This shows the great power of baptism, and how much we need it.” [Andreas (ca. 7th century), Catena]
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
It is not mere washing, it accomplishes far more.
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
To maintain the correct attitude and follow the covenant
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,
The place of honor; also an allusion to Psalm 110:1
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
He has regained His holy place above the angels. See Hebrews 1:13 and 2:2.
Gospel - Mark 1:12-15
As Jesus started His public ministry, immediately after His baptism by John according to the gospels of Matthew and Mark, He was tempted by the devil. It is of this temptation and the very beginning of His public ministry that we hear about today.
12 [T]he Spirit drove him out
Jesus is obedient to His Father.
into the desert,
The journey to the desert isn’t for Jesus’ benefit, but for ours. The desert is a place of isolation, a place of introspection and meditation, a place to get closer to God. The Israelites spent forty years in the desert getting to know God better before entering into the promised land. Although no details are given, it is usually assumed that this is the Judean desert where John the Baptist had been active.
“Soon after He had been baptized He performed a fast of forty days by Himself, and He taught and informed us by His example that, after we have received forgiveness of sins in baptism, we should devote ourselves to vigils, feasts, prayers and other spiritually fruitful things, lest when we are sluggish and less vigilant the unclean spirit expelled from our heart by baptism may return, and finding us fruitless in spiritual riches, weigh us down again with a sevenfold pestilence, and our last state would then be worse than the first.” (Saint Bede the Venerable (ca. A.D. 720), Homilies on the Gospels, 1,12).
13 and he remained in the desert for forty days,
Forty is the number which indicates change. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain, Noah encountered 40 days of rain, Israel spent 40 years in the desert.
tempted by Satan.
The name Satan means “adversary, tempter, accuser.” Before he was cast from heaven his name was Lucifer which means “light bearer;” now his name has been changed and he is the prince of darkness. The believer is constantly exposed to attacks (temptations) by Satan. The exact temptations of Jesus are not recounted in this gospel.
He was among wild beasts,
These may symbolize the beginning of the Messianic age as paradise regained (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18); or it may symbolize the evil with which Jesus contends (Psalm 22:13-22; Isaiah 13:1-22; Ezekiel 34:5, 8, 25).
and the angels ministered to him.
The angels are God’s army, fighting on God’s side against the evil spirits.
14 After John had been arrested,
A foreshadowing of Jesus’ fate
Jesus came to Galilee
The Galilean ministry is central to Mark’s gospel. It is not only the scene of the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, it is also where the Apostles go to meet the Risen Lord (Mark 16:7).
proclaiming the gospel of God:
The term “gospel” is most likely an editorial addition which applies a Christian term to God’s message.
15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
This is the same as John the Baptist’s message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The key is repentance. The time of fulfillment, the “age to come” in Jewish theology has arrived – the Messiah has arrived and sins can be forgiven and mankind reconciled with God.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church,
Picayune, MS http://www.scborromeo.org
FIRST SUNDAY
OF LENT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, MARK 1:12-15
(Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, MARK 1:12-15
(Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25; 1 Peter 3:18-22)
KEY VERSE: "The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (v 15).
TO KNOW: The Church marks the 40 day Lenten observance as an opportunity to make a new beginning with God. In the bible, the desert was a place of special encounters with God. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert after the exodus. Elijah spent 40 days in the desert until he was strengthened by God to resume his prophetic task. Mark wrote that after Jesus' baptism, the Spirit sent him into the desert for forty days to confront the powers of evil, which Mark termed "the wild beasts" (v 13). In contrast to the disobedience of God's people, Jesus rejected every temptation to earthly power. The ways of the world were not the ways of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, we reject the so called “wisdom of the world” with its political power and military might. In Jesus, God's kingdom arrived and the Messianic era had begun, a time for the restoration of all creation (Is 11:6). Matthew wrote: “The devil left Jesus for a time” (Mt 4:11). Temptations keep coming back; but we must put our trust in Jesus’ message to repent and believe in the good news (gospel).
TO LOVE: What temptations do I need to overcome this season of Lent?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, I reject Satan, and all his works and empty promises, so that I might live in the freedom of God's children (Renewal of Baptismal promises).
Rite of
Election
During the rite of election the Church formally announces the names of those who will soon celebrate the sacraments of initiation. Usually the rite of election takes place at the cathedral with the bishop on the First Sunday of Lent. These individuals enter the cathedral as "catechumens" and leave as "elect" (the chosen people). Godparents testify that the catechumens are worthy to be initiated. The entire assembly may also join the affirmation. Next the bishop invites the catechumens to sign the book of the elect. In some dioceses, this action has already taken place in parishes during the rite of sending, and the books are presented to the bishop at this point. Finally, the bishop declares that the catechumens are members of the elect, to be initiated at the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Sending
The rite of sending is a parish celebration that sends catechumens to the rite of election. After the homily at the Sunday Mass, a catechist may present the catechumens to the priest, who calls them forward with their godparents and asks if the catechumens are ready. Have they taken their formation seriously? Have they given evidence of their conversion? Do the godparents judge them ready for the rite of election? The questions have real significance. The ritual concludes with prayers for the catechumens. The rite of sending is optional, but it allows the parish to affirm the readiness of its catechumens. There is another optional rite of sending for those previously baptized in other ecclesial communities who are preparing for the rite of reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.
Excerpt: Paul Turner, Ministry and Liturgy, a pastoral planning resource, Copyright by Resource Publications, Inc.
Sunday 18
February 2018
First Lent Week I Psalter. 1st Sunday of Lent.
Genesis 9:8-15. Psalm 24(25):4-9. 1 Peter 3:18-22. Mark 1:12-15.
Your ways, O Lord, are loved and truth to those who keep your
covenant—Psalm 24(25):4-9.
Father, when I look at my own life and at the world there seems
to be so much reason to feel desperate.
For ancient peoples, the world was full of mysterious forces
they didn’t understand, that could easily catch them and destroy them. Floods,
earthquakes, droughts and fires—all could break their weak grip on life. Today,
even though we understand and to some extent control the powers in nature, we
are still dependent on our world to sustain us. For our control of nature is
not always for the good.
Yet, Father, you promised us, in the story of Noah, that you
would remain faithful to the work of your hands. How could you let such a work
of beauty and love be so destroyed? Thank you for your commitment to your
world. In Jesus you made your faithful love for the world unbreakable. Jesus
followed your will, even to a lonely and seemingly futile death. But, in his rising,
your promise, Father, remains true.
Blessed John of Fiesole
Saint of the Day for February 18
(1387 – February 18, 1455)
Blessed John of Fiesole’s Story
The patron of Christian artists was born around 1400 in a
village overlooking Florence. He took up painting as a young boy and studied
under the watchful eye of a local painting master. He joined the Dominicans at
about age 20, taking the name Fra Giovanni. He eventually came to be known as
Fra Angelico, perhaps a tribute to his own angelic qualities or maybe the
devotional tone of his works.
He continued to study painting and perfect his own techniques,
which included broad-brush strokes, vivid colors and generous, lifelike
figures. Michelangelo once said of Fra Angelico: “One has to believe that this
good monk has visited paradise and been allowed to choose his models there.”
Whatever his subject matter, Fra Angelico sought to generate feelings of religious
devotion in response to his paintings. Among his most famous works are the
Annunciation and Descent from the Cross as well as frescoes in the monastery of
San Marco in Florence.
He also served in leadership positions within the Dominican
Order. At one point, Pope Eugenius approached him about serving as archbishop
of Florence. Fra Angelico declined, preferring a simpler life. He died in 1455.
Reflection
The work of artists adds a wonderful dimension to life. Without
art our lives would be much depleted. Let us pray for artists today, especially
those who can lift our hearts and minds to God.
Blessed John of Fiesole is the Patron Saint of:
Christian Artists
LECTIO DIVINA: 1ST SUNDAY OF
LENT (B)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Temptation overcome with the strength of
the Spirit Jesus begins the proclamation of the Good News of the Kingdom
Mark 1:12-15
Mark 1:12-15
1. OPENING PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send Your Spirit to help us
to read the Scriptures with the same mind that You read them to the disciples
on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, You
helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of Your
sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope
became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to Your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to Your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May Your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of Your resurrection and witness to others that You are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of You, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us Your Spirit. Amen.
2. READING
a) A key to the reading:
The text of this Sunday’s liturgy presents us with the beginning of Jesus’ public life: the forty days in the desert, the temptations of Satan, the arrest of John the Baptist, the beginning of the proclamation of the Good News of God and a brief summary of four points concerning the things that Jesus proclaimed to the people in His land. During the reading, let us pay attention to the following two points: What is Jesus proclaiming to the people and what is He asking of us?
The text of this Sunday’s liturgy presents us with the beginning of Jesus’ public life: the forty days in the desert, the temptations of Satan, the arrest of John the Baptist, the beginning of the proclamation of the Good News of God and a brief summary of four points concerning the things that Jesus proclaimed to the people in His land. During the reading, let us pay attention to the following two points: What is Jesus proclaiming to the people and what is He asking of us?
b)
A division of the text as an aid to the reading:
Mark 1:12-13: The Good News is tried and put to the test in the desert.
Mark 1:14: Jesus begins the proclamation of the Good News of God.
Mark 1:15: A summary of the Good News of God.
c) The text:
Mark 1:12-13: The Good News is tried and put to the test in the desert.
Mark 1:14: Jesus begins the proclamation of the Good News of God.
Mark 1:15: A summary of the Good News of God.
c) The text:
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the
desert, and He remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was
among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been
arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is
the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in
the gospel."
3. A MOMENT OF PRAYERFUL
SILENCE
so that the Word of God may penetrate
and enlighten our life.
4. SOME QUESTIONS
to help us in our personal
reflection.
a) What part of the text did you like best and what made an impression on you? Why?
b) Forty days in the desert and, after that, the temptations. What is the significance of this bit of information for the community at the time of Mark s writing? What is its significance for us today?
c) It was the fact that John the Baptist was arrested that led Jesus to go back to Galilee and begin the proclamation of the Good News of God. What is the significance of this bit of information for the community at the time of Mark’s writing? What is its significance for us today?
d) The Good News that Jesus proclaimed has four points. What are they? What does each point signify?
e) What is the message given by all these points for us today?
a) What part of the text did you like best and what made an impression on you? Why?
b) Forty days in the desert and, after that, the temptations. What is the significance of this bit of information for the community at the time of Mark s writing? What is its significance for us today?
c) It was the fact that John the Baptist was arrested that led Jesus to go back to Galilee and begin the proclamation of the Good News of God. What is the significance of this bit of information for the community at the time of Mark’s writing? What is its significance for us today?
d) The Good News that Jesus proclaimed has four points. What are they? What does each point signify?
e) What is the message given by all these points for us today?
5. A KEY TO THE READING
for those who wish to go deeper into the
theme.
a) The context of the text in Mark s
Gospel:
* The Good News of God, prepared
throughout history (Mk 1: 1-8), was solemnly proclaimed by the Father at the
time of Jesus baptism (Mk 1: 9-11). Now, in our text, this proclamation is put
to the test in the desert (Mk 1: 12-13) and the result of the long preparation
becomes apparent. Jesus proclaims the Good News in public to the people (Mk
1:14-15).
* In the 70s, when Mark is writing, as
the Christians read this description of the beginning of the Good News, they
also looked into the mirror of their own lives. The desert, temptations,
prison, these were things with which they were familiar. Nevertheless, like
Jesus, they tried to proclaim the Good News of God.
b) Comments:
* Mark 1:12-13: The Good News is tried
and tested in the desert.
After the baptism, the Spirit takes possession of Jesus and leads Him into the desert, where for forty days He prepares Himself for His mission (Mk 1: 12s). Mark says that Jesus remained in the desert for forty days and was tempted there by Satan. In Matthew 4: 1-11, the temptations are made explicit, the temptation of the bread, the temptation of prestige and the temptation of power. These were the three temptations experienced by the people in the desert after they went out of Egypt (Dt 8:3; 6: 13.16). Temptation is whatever draws someone away from the way towards God. The letter to the Hebrews says, "Jesus was tempted in all things like us, except in sin" (Heb 4:15). Taking His direction from the Word of God, Jesus faced the temptations (Mt 4: 4.7.10). Placed in the midst of the poor and united to the Father in prayer, Jesus remains faithful to both, resists and continues on the way of the Messiah-Servant, the way of service of God and of the people (Mt 20:28).
After the baptism, the Spirit takes possession of Jesus and leads Him into the desert, where for forty days He prepares Himself for His mission (Mk 1: 12s). Mark says that Jesus remained in the desert for forty days and was tempted there by Satan. In Matthew 4: 1-11, the temptations are made explicit, the temptation of the bread, the temptation of prestige and the temptation of power. These were the three temptations experienced by the people in the desert after they went out of Egypt (Dt 8:3; 6: 13.16). Temptation is whatever draws someone away from the way towards God. The letter to the Hebrews says, "Jesus was tempted in all things like us, except in sin" (Heb 4:15). Taking His direction from the Word of God, Jesus faced the temptations (Mt 4: 4.7.10). Placed in the midst of the poor and united to the Father in prayer, Jesus remains faithful to both, resists and continues on the way of the Messiah-Servant, the way of service of God and of the people (Mt 20:28).
* Mark 1:14: Jesus begins to proclaim
the Good News.
While Jesus was preparing Himself in the desert, John the Baptist was arrested by Herod. The text says, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God. John the Baptist’s arrest did not surprise Jesus, rather the opposite. The experience of the baptism had opened His eyes. In John’s arrest He saw a sign of the coming of the Kingdom. John the Baptist’s arrest was connected with the politics of the country. Today, too, politics influences our proclamation of the Good News to the people. Mark says that Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of God. Jesus tells us that God is Good News for all human beings. Saint Augustine says, "You have made us for You, and our hearts will not rest until they rest in You". Jesus proclamation responds to the deepest searching of the human heart.
While Jesus was preparing Himself in the desert, John the Baptist was arrested by Herod. The text says, After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God. John the Baptist’s arrest did not surprise Jesus, rather the opposite. The experience of the baptism had opened His eyes. In John’s arrest He saw a sign of the coming of the Kingdom. John the Baptist’s arrest was connected with the politics of the country. Today, too, politics influences our proclamation of the Good News to the people. Mark says that Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of God. Jesus tells us that God is Good News for all human beings. Saint Augustine says, "You have made us for You, and our hearts will not rest until they rest in You". Jesus proclamation responds to the deepest searching of the human heart.
* Mark 1:15: A summary of the Good News
of God.
The proclamation of the Good News of God contains four points: i) The waiting is over. ii) The Kingdom of God has come. iii) A change of life. iv) Belief in the Good News.
i) The waiting is over! For the other Jews, the time of waiting for the Kingdom was not yet over. For the Pharisees, for instance, the Kingdom would come only when the observance of the law was perfect. For the Essenes, when the country was purified. For the Herodians, when they would take over dominion over the world. Jesus’ way of thinking is different. He reads events differently. He says that the time of waiting is over.
ii) The Kingdom of God is at hand! For the Pharisees and the Essenes, the coming of the Kingdom was dependent on their efforts. The Kingdom would come only when they had played their part, that is the observance of the whole of the Law, the purification of the whole country. Jesus says the opposite: "The Kingdom is at hand". The Kingdom was already there, among them, independently of any effort. When Jesus says, "The Kingdom is at hand", He is not saying that it is on the way at a particular moment, but that it is already there. What all were hoping for was already present in the midst of the people, and they did not know it, nor did they see it (cfr Lk 17: 21). Jesus saw it because He could see reality with different eyes. It is this hidden presence of the Kingdom in the midst of the people that Jesus reveals and proclaims to the poor of His land. It is this seed of the Kingdom that will receive the rain of His Word and the warmth of His love.
iii) A change of life! Some translate this as, “to do penance”, others translate it as, "to convert" or "to repent". The exact meaning is to change the way of thinking and living. In order to be able to perceive this presence of the Kingdom, a person must begin to think, live and act differently. The person must change their way of life and find a new form of living. We must set aside the legalism taught by the Pharisees and allow the new experience of God to invade our life and allow new sight to read and understand what goes on.
iv) Belief in the Good News! It was not easy to accept the message. It is not easy to begin to think in a completely different way from that learned since childhood. This is only possible by an act of faith. When someone comes with an unexpected piece of news which is difficult to accept, one accepts it only if the person who brings the news is worthy of trust. We would then also say to others, "You can believe this because I know the person and he/she does not deceive. This person can be believed because he/she speaks the truth". Jesus is worthy of our trust!
The proclamation of the Good News of God contains four points: i) The waiting is over. ii) The Kingdom of God has come. iii) A change of life. iv) Belief in the Good News.
i) The waiting is over! For the other Jews, the time of waiting for the Kingdom was not yet over. For the Pharisees, for instance, the Kingdom would come only when the observance of the law was perfect. For the Essenes, when the country was purified. For the Herodians, when they would take over dominion over the world. Jesus’ way of thinking is different. He reads events differently. He says that the time of waiting is over.
ii) The Kingdom of God is at hand! For the Pharisees and the Essenes, the coming of the Kingdom was dependent on their efforts. The Kingdom would come only when they had played their part, that is the observance of the whole of the Law, the purification of the whole country. Jesus says the opposite: "The Kingdom is at hand". The Kingdom was already there, among them, independently of any effort. When Jesus says, "The Kingdom is at hand", He is not saying that it is on the way at a particular moment, but that it is already there. What all were hoping for was already present in the midst of the people, and they did not know it, nor did they see it (cfr Lk 17: 21). Jesus saw it because He could see reality with different eyes. It is this hidden presence of the Kingdom in the midst of the people that Jesus reveals and proclaims to the poor of His land. It is this seed of the Kingdom that will receive the rain of His Word and the warmth of His love.
iii) A change of life! Some translate this as, “to do penance”, others translate it as, "to convert" or "to repent". The exact meaning is to change the way of thinking and living. In order to be able to perceive this presence of the Kingdom, a person must begin to think, live and act differently. The person must change their way of life and find a new form of living. We must set aside the legalism taught by the Pharisees and allow the new experience of God to invade our life and allow new sight to read and understand what goes on.
iv) Belief in the Good News! It was not easy to accept the message. It is not easy to begin to think in a completely different way from that learned since childhood. This is only possible by an act of faith. When someone comes with an unexpected piece of news which is difficult to accept, one accepts it only if the person who brings the news is worthy of trust. We would then also say to others, "You can believe this because I know the person and he/she does not deceive. This person can be believed because he/she speaks the truth". Jesus is worthy of our trust!
c) Further information:
The beginning of Jesus preaching of the
Good News of God in Galilee
The arrest of John made Jesus go back
and begin His proclamation of the Good News. It was an explosive beginning!
Jesus goes throughout Galilee, its villages, towns and cities (Mk 1: 39). He
visits communities. He even changes His residence and goes to live in Capernaum
(Mk 1:21; 2:1), a city at the crossroads, which made it easy for Him to spread
the message. He almost never stays in the same place. He is always on the move.
The disciples accompany Him everywhere, on the beach, on the road, on the
mountain, in the desert, in the boat, in the synagogues, in the houses. They
are full of enthusiasm.
Jesus helps people by serving them in
several ways: He drives out evil spirits (Mk 1:39), He heals the sick and
afflicted (Mk 1: 34), purifies those marginalized on account of the laws
concerning purity (Mk 1: 40-45), welcomes the marginalized and treats them with
familiarity (Mk 2: 15). He proclaims, calls, convokes, attracts, consoles,
helps. He reveals His passion, passion for the Father and for the poor and
abandoned people of His land. Wherever there are people who will listen to Him,
He speaks and conveys the Good News of God. Everywhere!
Jesus reveals everything that animates
Him from within. Not only does He proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, but He
Himself is a figure and a living witness of the Kingdom. In Him we see what
happens when someone allows God to rule and take possession of his/her life. By
His life and manner of acting, Jesus reveals what God had in mind when He
called the people at the time of Abraham and of Moses. Jesus put to rest a
nostalgia and transformed it into hope. Suddenly it became clear for the
people: "This is what God was asking for when He called us to be His people!".
The people savored listening to Jesus.
Such was the beginning of the
proclamation of the Good News of the Kingdom, which spread rapidly through the
villages of Galilee. It started small like a seed, but grew to become a large
tree where people could find shelter (Mk 4: 31-32). Then the people themselves
began to spread the news.
The people of Galilee were impressed by
the way Jesus taught. "A new doctrine is taught with authority, not like
that of the " (Mk 1: 22.27). Teaching was what Jesus did mostly (Mk 2: 13;
4:1-2; 6:34). It was His custom (Mk 10:1). Over fifteen times, the Gospel of
Mark says that Jesus taught. But Mark almost never says what He taught. Perhaps
he was not interested in the content? It depends on what we mean by content.
Teaching is not just a matter of passing on new truths to people. The content
that Jesus preached manifests itself not only through His words, but also
through His actions and in the manner of His relating to people. The content is
never divorced from the person who communicates it. Good content without
personal goodness is like spilled milk.
Mark defines the content of Jesus’
teaching as "the Good News of God" (Mk 1: 14). The Good News that
Jesus proclaimed comes from God and reveals something about God. All that Jesus
says and does, manifests the traits of the face of God. They manifest the
experience that Jesus has of God as Father. Revealing God as Father is the
source, while the content is the object of the Good News of Jesus.
6. PSALM 25 (24)
The God of Jesus calls us to conversion
To thee, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
I lift up my soul.
O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know thy ways, O Lord;
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,
for thou art the God of my salvation;
for thee I wait all the day long.
Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord,
and of thy steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth,
or my transgressions;
according to thy steadfast love remember me,
for thy goodness' sake, O Lord!
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,
for thou art the God of my salvation;
for thee I wait all the day long.
Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord,
and of thy steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth,
or my transgressions;
according to thy steadfast love remember me,
for thy goodness' sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble His way.
therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble His way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast
love and faithfulness,
for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For thy name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who is the man that fears the
Lord?
Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose.
He himself shall abide in prosperity,
and His children shall possess the land.
Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose.
He himself shall abide in prosperity,
and His children shall possess the land.
The friendship of the Lord is for those
who fear Him,
and He makes known to them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will pluck my feet out of the net.
and He makes known to them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for He will pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn thou to me, and be gracious to
me;
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distresses.
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my
trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh guard my life, and deliver me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in thee.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for thee.
Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in thee.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for thee.
Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.
7. FINAL PRAYER
Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that
has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May Your Spirit
enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which Your
Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, Your mother, not only listen to but
also practice the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of
the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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