This morning we find ourselves on the “other side of Christmas” and in a brand new chronological year.
Liturgically, we are still in the same year, but chronologically, the year is 2018.
Tis’ the year of Mark, the second year of our three year cycle – termed “series B.”
Mark tells his story of Jesus – with an “urgency” that surpasses what is found in the other three gospel accounts. Jesus seems to constantly be in a hurry, with the clock ticking somewhere behind him. Remember, Mark is believed to be the first gospel to be written. It is “the prototype” for all future good news.
Jesus’ first words in this gospel are: “The time is fulfilled!” and after that everything seems to happen “very quickly” in a world that is “rapidly changing” and will never be the same again!
As a matter of fact one of the most important words for Mark – is the word “immediately.” Everything seemingly happens or occurs – “immediately.” There is no time to waste. Time is of the essence. Time is running short.
Mark’s gospel is imbued with a sense of “mystery and ambiguity.” Jesus does not mind leaving people “in the dark,” nor does Mark feel “any kind of compulsion” what-so-ever to sort everything out for them or for us.
Mark offers to us a “very human portrait” of Jesus.
Of course Jesus is “extraordinarily divine,” – who exhibits power over “all matters of disease, nature and unclean spirits.” But he is also depicted as a man subject to “human weakness and frailty.” He gets “hungry,” he doesn’t know everything there is to know and he is unable to work miracles for those who have no faith.
According to Mark, Jesus exhibits “a full range of human emotions,” including “pity, anger, sadness, wonder, compassion, indignation, love and anguish.”
Again, according to Mark, this Jesus-guy is just “awesome.”
Tradition says that Mark is a collaborative work, between Peter and Mark.
It is written rather “hastily” to preserve “all the memories”-while they are still somewhat fresh. It is to be the first known undertaking of its kind. So therefore — it is “fast paced and action oriented.” It is also the “shortest” of the gospel accounts.
And just in case anyone thinks this story is going to be a “cakewalk” because of scenes of beautiful descending doves, or lovely voices from heaven – the very next thing that happens is “forty days of hardship,” “testing and being alone with the self…in the wilderness.” Hardly a cakewalk! Hardly easy peasy!
John the baptizer appears “seemingly out of nowhere” in the wilderness areas, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. And people from the “whole Judean countryside” and “all the people of Jerusalem” were going out to him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
And of course the “real kicker” – the “real shocker” is that when Jesus went out to the Jordan River, God spoke to him. God also claimed him “as his own,” …from that moment on…
Jesus’ baptism was unique alright, quite unlike any other…it was different…way different, totally different.
And, Jesus just marched out there. He marched out to where John was. And when the voice was heard saying, “This is my son.” God was claiming Jesus as his son and was also declaring that a whole new ballgame was about to take place.
Batter up!
All four gospels agree on the geographic location of the “wilderness area” – being near the Jordan… They all say – this took place in Bethany, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing…
So on the big issues, the important issues, the gospels are in agreement.
The Christian life involves daily repentance…which means feeling sorry for both your “sinfulness” and for your “specific sins.” Feeling sorry about your imperfections leads to an inner change where the Holy Spirit in us – begins to change our sinful habits and our unhealthy habits and patterns.
A famous prayer comes to mind: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Just because we were once baptized – our work doesn’t stop there…we are still a work in progress…
All of us, there are no exceptions…for us, we still have a ways to go…
But on this day, we celebrate and are mindful of, the Baptism of Our Lord.