The Two Way Street To Easter

Lent can be thought of as two-way street when it comes to preparing to celebrate the joyous season of Easter. During this solemn time of the church we're called to journey with others in remembering Jesus' suffering and sacrifice while also being midnful to ensure that we are preparing our own hearts for the passion of Christ. On one hand, being in solidarity with the suffering of others comes with a sense of ease during Lent because of all the ways we come together.  On the other hand, when dealing with our own suffering, it’s not so easy to face.   I believe that personal suffering bears similarity with personal forgiveness.  When we wrong someone, we make amends with the other and with God, but we may not be able to forgive ourselves. 

Jesus responded to suffering through dialogue.  When he met the blind man near Jericho, there was a dialogue that ensued.  Jesus asked the man what he wants and Bartimaeus indicates that he wants to see (Mark 10: 46-52).  Through a personal dialogue, Jesus comes to restore the man’s sight. 

Jesus wants to dialogue with us about our personal suffering just as he did with Bartimaeus.  Lent, as a  two-way street, provides us with the opportunity to enter into the suffering of others, but we also need to dialogue with Jesus about our own suffering.  This dialogue will link us more intimately with Christ’s passion and ready us to experience the glory of God on Easter.   

Sent Forth as the Beloved of God

Jesus’ baptism celebrates his rite of passage into public ministry, but it also concludes the Christmas season.  His baptism shows the relational mutuality exercised in the Trinity.  The heavens opened and Jesus encountered the Spirit who descended on him in the form of a dove (Mark 1:10).  While the Spirit brings Jesus the welcome greeting of peace, it will also thrust Jesus into the desert where he will be tempted and emptied in order to launch a campaign of mercy, compassion, and justice.

After the dove descends, then the voice of the Father says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).  For sure, the Father makes known the beloved relationship He shares with the Son.  Later, as Jesus enters into active ministry, he, too, relates to the beloved relationship by calling his Father Abba.  Intimacy defines their relational colloquy, that is, Jesus abides in the Father and the Father abides in the Son.  

As we conclude the Christmas season, we too are sent out in the name of Jesus.  As he was mutually in the company of the Spirit and the Father, likewise we are not alone in life since Jesus is a brother among us. We remember and hold dear the mutuality we share through our own baptisms.  We witness with Jesus by joining with other believers in promoting life and liberty which all began with Jesus.  

2nd Sunday of Lent - B (March 4, 2012)

2nd Sunday of Lent - B (March 4, 2012) 
Commentary
Mark 9: 2-10

This is My Beloved Son

Mark began his gospel citing clearly what he intended to teach his readers, "the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God" (1:1)

The rest of his writing teaches us who Jesus is and how in his life, through his words and actions, Jesus reveals to us that he is the only "Son of God."

It begins with the baptism of John the Baptist, where the voice from heaven reaffirms Jesus as God's "beloved Son."

Then we learn of a Jesus who is zealously on a mission to bring God's peace and healing to the human race.

Throughout the gospel, especially when Jesus heals the sick and performs miracles, he would not allow people to speak about it to prevent any misunderstanding of who he is. He is not just a famous teacher or a powerful miracle worker.

Now, as Jesus travels to Jerusalem to undergo his passion and death, with the Transfiguration, he prepares his disciples by giving them a hint of who he truly is, God's beloved Son.

Jesus' identity as God's beloved Son will be fully revealed on the cross, which he accepted out of loving obedience to the Father's will and love for the human race. There, on the cross, through the words of the Roman centurion, Mark teaches us, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (15:39).

God's only Son lives and fulfills his identity on the cross, his ultimate sacrifice of love.

How do we live our lives as God's sons and daughters?