The Beginning

Second Sunday of Advent

 “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1)

Reflection

What can we make of these two important words?  Beginning and Gospel?

As Mark’s is the oldest of the four, this is the beginning of the Gospel stories.  This is also the beginning of John’s ministry and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  This is a new beginning of a ministry to Jews AND Gentiles.  So, this opening line hearkens back to Genesis (in the beginning) where life and power first emerged.  These words suggest that this new beginning has been prepared for over time; unfolding is a larger plan.   

Maybe this is also a beginning of new life for the listener (you).  Starting here and now are a new beginning proclaimed by the message of the Baptist:  a time for repentance, to confess one’s sins and begin again to follow the Lord along his pathway.

This is all Good News (Gospel) for those of us on the journey.  God always gives us second chances, and third, etc.  Maybe this passage today might inspire you to repent of your unfamiliarity with the four Gospel books.  How about making an early resolution for 2021 and start reading the whole of the four Gospels from start to finish.  Starting with the oldest and shortest: Mark, then on to Matthew (written for a Jewish listener), then Luke (written for a non-Jewish listener), and then ending with John (the most transcendent of the four). 

May this be a time of new beginnings in the way you need it most.