February 17, 2018

First Sunday of Lent - B (February 18, 2018)


“The Kingdom of God is at hand”

While in the desert, Jesus confronted the power of Satan and of wild beasts. 

Then, “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’.”

In this short and to-the-point style, Mark introduces the new age proclaimed by Jesus.

Here, Mark also presents a stark contrast of two authorities.   One authority relied on control and power that unjustly arrested John who was sent by God.  The other is the authority of God’s kingdom.  [1]

Lent gives us the time for self-examination – am I building and relying on anything that is not of God’s kingdom?  Then, Lent affords us the time to reorient ourselves to the way of God’s kingdom.  

Image source: www.agnusday.org

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[1] John Petty, www.progressiveinvolvement.com

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