Rev. Richard Smith
February 20, 2023
Mark 8:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God…
The Gospel of Mark begins with the clear and notable words, The beginning of the good news about Jesus.
One biblical scholar points out that the Greek word here – “euangelion”, translated “good news” — has a very specific meaning. It’s not just your average good news; it’s not just your regular daily news; it’s “history-making, life-shaping” good news.
This Wednesday we begin the spiritual journey of Lent. For me there’s no better catalyst for a faithful journey than understanding that we have the opportunity these forty days of Lent to walk hand in hand with one whose ways, whose life, whose teachings, whose example can shape us, change us, empower us.
We tend at Lent to speak of giving up or taking on; giving up some habit or some practice or taking on some added spiritual practice so that it’s clear we do want to practice some discipline this season.
I want to invite you simply to walk more intently with Jesus these forty days.
- To spend time re-reading his story;
- To spend time immersing yourself in his life and example;
- To spend time gleaning from his teachings;
- To spend time letting him get into your head and into your heart.
There was an interesting story some time ago in an Italian newspaper. It seems there was a young couple who seemed particularly devoted to prayer and worship in a Catholic Church in Milan. The priest at the cathedral reported that the pair spent an hour or more on a regular basis sitting before a statue of the Virgin Mary. Naturally, he assumed they were praying. Turns out, this young couple was recharging their cell phone. They had noticed a stray electric cable sticking out of the wall behind the statue of the Virgin Mary and whenever their phone’s power supply dwindled, they would come to the church and re-charge it.
What a story! I especially like the response of the priest to the couple once he learned this; he said, You can come here any time to get recharged.
Well, spending time with Jesus can truly recharge us. It could even change us! And what a Lent 2023 this would be; if we did indeed come out on the other side changed persons; persons more committed than ever to following Jesus!!
