Prayer

Celebrating the Word of God

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after him.

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’

The Gospel of the Lord 

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ 

Spiritual Reflection

This passage from Mark recounts Jesus' experience of temptation in the wilderness and the beginning of His ministry. It offers insights into the nature of Jesus' mission and the challenges He faced.

During the Baptism by John the Baptist, we witnessed the Spirit descending from Heaven, declaring; “You are my Son, my Beloved; with you I am well pleased”. Jesus is then driven by the Spirit into the wilderness immediately after. 

This wilderness experience parallels the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and echoes the testing of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

It emphasises Jesus' humanity as he undergoes a period of fasting and intense spiritual struggle. Mark does not elaborate on what testing Jesus endures – but Matthew and Luke do.

After his time in the wilderness, Jesus begins his ministry, proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God with the powerful declaration, "The time has come, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News". 

This message encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission: to usher in God's kingdom and invite people to turn away from sin and embrace the salvation he offers.

Concluding Prayer

Loving God, 

In this Lenten season, grant us the strength and resolve to confront the temptations and struggles in our own lives with the same steadfastness and reliance on your Word as Jesus had in the desert.

Help us to heed Jesus' call to repentance and belief in the Good News, guiding us to align our lives with the values of your kingdom. May this time of reflection deepen our commitment to following Jesus and empower us to be instruments of your love and grace in the world.

We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord 

Amen