Sunday 3/4/06 Year B - Lent 1
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
Notes:
In the Gospel passage, there are three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan river. It tells of the voice which came from heaven. Unlike the parallel passages in Matthew and Luke, Jesus is the only one to see the clouds split and hear the voice of God. The words of God, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased," is meant for Jesus' ears only. I take this as Jesus' call.
The second paragraph tells of Jesus being driven into the wilderness, not by the devil, but by the Spirit. Alone in the wilderness for forty days, Jesus goes through a discernment process. One can imagine his questions: "Father, what is it that you would have me do?" If I am to be the messiah, how will I go about it? What kind of messiah would you have me be? Matthew and Luke provide an alegorical story of the discernment process in the temtations of the devil. In many ways, these same temptations stare us in the face during our own discernment.
The third paragraph shows Jesus following his period of discernment coming out of the wilderness proclaiming the good news of God. "The time is fulfilled." "The Rule of God has come near you." "Repent, and believe in the good news."
Here we have in three short paragraphs the calling, the formation and the beginning of the ministry of our Lord. He is the standard. Our task, though it may be impossible, is to imulate Him in all that we do.
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15
Notes:
In the Gospel passage, there are three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan river. It tells of the voice which came from heaven. Unlike the parallel passages in Matthew and Luke, Jesus is the only one to see the clouds split and hear the voice of God. The words of God, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased," is meant for Jesus' ears only. I take this as Jesus' call.
The second paragraph tells of Jesus being driven into the wilderness, not by the devil, but by the Spirit. Alone in the wilderness for forty days, Jesus goes through a discernment process. One can imagine his questions: "Father, what is it that you would have me do?" If I am to be the messiah, how will I go about it? What kind of messiah would you have me be? Matthew and Luke provide an alegorical story of the discernment process in the temtations of the devil. In many ways, these same temptations stare us in the face during our own discernment.
The third paragraph shows Jesus following his period of discernment coming out of the wilderness proclaiming the good news of God. "The time is fulfilled." "The Rule of God has come near you." "Repent, and believe in the good news."
Here we have in three short paragraphs the calling, the formation and the beginning of the ministry of our Lord. He is the standard. Our task, though it may be impossible, is to imulate Him in all that we do.
posted by the tentmaker | 2:37 AM
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