2nd Sunday of Advent Year B - 10/12/2023 - Gospel: Mk 1: 1-8
Unusual Choice
The Gospel of Mark begins with a short, precise, and bold statement announcing
'the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God' Mk 1,1.
At the end of his Gospel, Mark proclaims
'The Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God' Mk16,19.
Jesus' disciples preached this Good News message for the whole world. The beginning of St. Mark's Gospel, announces Jesus' earthly saving mission; at the end of his Gospel, Mark concludes Jesus' saving mission on earth. The phrase ' he was taken up into heaven' reveals where Jesus originated from- God's right hand. This very first verse reveals the foundation of our faith in Jesus. Having faith in Jesus is the Good News because God comes to the world not to condemn, but to save mankind from the power of darkness. It is the Good News because we can't save ourselves. God doesn't abandon us; but comes to save us. Second, the Good News is only found in Jesus, the Son of God. Third, the Good News had been prophesised long ago and now is being fulfilled in Jesus. The fulfilment of the prophecy began with John the Baptist, who announced the coming of the Good News. John called people to change their minds and hearts to welcome The Good News. Those who do not, fail to see the Good News. The change would appear in a concrete, visible form and that was to receive John's baptism. John made clear that the water of his baptism revealed the invisible internal change. John said to the people,
'I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you in the Holy Spirit' v.8.
This reveals that John knew very well his role and his power. His role was calling people to prepare the way for the Lord; his power was to baptise them with water as the sign of their repentance. The real power lay from the One Who came after him. Repentance in the past was pointing outwards, through sitting on ashes; and wearing rough garments. The new repentance John proposed was pointing inwards, the inner change, the change of mind, and heart. John also reveals the new baptism Jesus gave, which is the work of the Third Person of God, The Holy Spirit.
People who came to John from Jerusalem and surrounding areas implies the Good News is for everyone who truly desired to have it. The Good News had no universal boundary because it was available for everyone, anywhere and at anytime. John the Baptist lived a life of penance by means of his lifestyle, food, and clothing. His life and his message had the same focus, and that was a simple and humble way of life. Choosing to live from the outskirts, John denied any form of pleasure, false happiness, and empty promises of his society, which deceived the rich and the powerful. This emptiness was a clear sign of spiritual poor. It dehumanizes the one who receives it; and makes the poor and voiceless to slave to empty promises. John called people to turn away from what was harmful and return to God through repentance.
Simplicity was the way of life. It certainly was not comfortable for our physical body but brought peace and tranquillity to our minds and hearts, and that is true happiness. A simple life requires little, but it is rich in freedom and joy. John showed that the human body truly had a few needs, but plenty of wants. The former is necessary, and the latter is extravagance.
He chose the desert to start his mission. This symbolic, dried wilderness would become a rich and fertile place, for the peaceful hearts of those who listened to his voice, and made changes accordingly.
John didn't choose to wear an expensive royal garment, but rather a hairy garment made from a camel's skin. He didn't have magnificent banquets but enjoyed wild honey and grasshoppers. Those who refuse to discard silky clothing and rich party food would not walk on the path John called them to do. John called the people to accept life's challenges; and discipline themselves to improve their quality of life.
We pray to listen to John and learn to simplify our lives to lighten the burden of life.
'the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God' Mk 1,1.
At the end of his Gospel, Mark proclaims
'The Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God' Mk16,19.
Jesus' disciples preached this Good News message for the whole world. The beginning of St. Mark's Gospel, announces Jesus' earthly saving mission; at the end of his Gospel, Mark concludes Jesus' saving mission on earth. The phrase ' he was taken up into heaven' reveals where Jesus originated from- God's right hand. This very first verse reveals the foundation of our faith in Jesus. Having faith in Jesus is the Good News because God comes to the world not to condemn, but to save mankind from the power of darkness. It is the Good News because we can't save ourselves. God doesn't abandon us; but comes to save us. Second, the Good News is only found in Jesus, the Son of God. Third, the Good News had been prophesised long ago and now is being fulfilled in Jesus. The fulfilment of the prophecy began with John the Baptist, who announced the coming of the Good News. John called people to change their minds and hearts to welcome The Good News. Those who do not, fail to see the Good News. The change would appear in a concrete, visible form and that was to receive John's baptism. John made clear that the water of his baptism revealed the invisible internal change. John said to the people,
'I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you in the Holy Spirit' v.8.
This reveals that John knew very well his role and his power. His role was calling people to prepare the way for the Lord; his power was to baptise them with water as the sign of their repentance. The real power lay from the One Who came after him. Repentance in the past was pointing outwards, through sitting on ashes; and wearing rough garments. The new repentance John proposed was pointing inwards, the inner change, the change of mind, and heart. John also reveals the new baptism Jesus gave, which is the work of the Third Person of God, The Holy Spirit.
People who came to John from Jerusalem and surrounding areas implies the Good News is for everyone who truly desired to have it. The Good News had no universal boundary because it was available for everyone, anywhere and at anytime. John the Baptist lived a life of penance by means of his lifestyle, food, and clothing. His life and his message had the same focus, and that was a simple and humble way of life. Choosing to live from the outskirts, John denied any form of pleasure, false happiness, and empty promises of his society, which deceived the rich and the powerful. This emptiness was a clear sign of spiritual poor. It dehumanizes the one who receives it; and makes the poor and voiceless to slave to empty promises. John called people to turn away from what was harmful and return to God through repentance.
Simplicity was the way of life. It certainly was not comfortable for our physical body but brought peace and tranquillity to our minds and hearts, and that is true happiness. A simple life requires little, but it is rich in freedom and joy. John showed that the human body truly had a few needs, but plenty of wants. The former is necessary, and the latter is extravagance.
He chose the desert to start his mission. This symbolic, dried wilderness would become a rich and fertile place, for the peaceful hearts of those who listened to his voice, and made changes accordingly.
John didn't choose to wear an expensive royal garment, but rather a hairy garment made from a camel's skin. He didn't have magnificent banquets but enjoyed wild honey and grasshoppers. Those who refuse to discard silky clothing and rich party food would not walk on the path John called them to do. John called the people to accept life's challenges; and discipline themselves to improve their quality of life.
We pray to listen to John and learn to simplify our lives to lighten the burden of life.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
