Mark 1: 12-15 Reflection

Gospel Mk 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.

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.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Reflection

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. This Sunday, the gospel reminds us of the 40 days of Jesus’ struggle in the desert. This experience of Jesus gives us an imprint of truth about fulfilment – that every achievement or triumph one can attain always has its underlying ‘rupture’ behind. The 40 days in the wilderness of Jesus is his experience of abandonment or rupture. It were days of tests, temptations, loneliness, an internal “annihilation.”

 Imaginably, we too experience such ‘ruptures” in life in its various ‘palms and faces.’ They are present even among and within our families and society – sufferings, poverty, hunger, injustice – even if they dawn on others as mere ‘human reality” where only disgust and mediocrity remain its viable responses. But what does it bring to us? What is the purpose of the ‘wilderness’ in our life?

Along this line of thought, in Jesus’ perspective, the wilderness is the time and space where things became crystal clear – his priorities, his mission – the love of the Father far beyond imagining. It was the source of his inspiration, firm dedication and unwavering commitment. In the same manner, our own share of ‘wilderness’ should also aid us in “moving on” in our life. It is not a reason for us to be immobile; on the contrary, is should rather transform us and make us “active” in fulfilling our role in the lives of others and in Kingdom of God – make people “repent and believe the Gospel.”