READ SCRIPTURE (Mark 1:9-15)
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
And the Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the dominion of God has come near, repent, and believe in the good news.”.
REFLECT ON THE READING
Here are metaphors for how we are right now: We are in a flood, drowning. We are wandering in the wilderness, afraid of the wild beasts, and, if we are being tested, we fail. We are surrounded by death and that imprisons us. But Jesus Christ comes preaching and in the power of the Spirit he comes to us now.
His coming changes everything. Jesus has seen the dove coming, the end of the flood. Baptized into him, the Spirit comes to us, too. Jesus’ resistance to the evil one turns our wildernesses into places of peace with all creation and places where the angels serve. Baptized into him, we see our world with new eyes and are given strength to resist evil and take joy in the creation.
Jesus’ cross and resurrection break open the captivity of death. Baptized into his death we are raised with him out of fear. The forty days of Lent invite us to remember again that we are baptized, to rejoice in God’s rainbow covenant with all creatures, and to be ourselves part of the sign of God’s love for the world.
PRAY TOGETHER
Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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