|
More on the new liturgical year...
This Sunday we will hear the opening lines of the Gospel of Mark - the first gospel written, and the shortest gospel account. Unlike Matthew, Luke, and John, Mark doesn't begin with a
genealogy proclamation
, an infancy narrative, or a poetic, profound theological statement. He cuts to the chase:
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
With this statement, Mark charges in like a lion, and continues on that note by quoting Isaiah, "A voice crying out in the desert." The images below are of the front and back covers of our parish's Book of Gospels - the book carried by the Deacon or reader at the beginning of Mass.
The images represent the four gospel writers, with Mark as the lion. Mark's direct, no-nonsense style is timely since we are all running at a frantic pace this time of year. And yet, the message demands our undivided attention: "One mightier than I is coming." Yes. One mightier than our shopping list. One mightier than the demands of our calendar. One mightier than all our worldly worries.
Let us prepare our hearts to receive him!
|
