After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 NABRE)
Mark's gospel is the first and shortest of the four gospels. And so, these are the first recorded words of Jesus' preaching. In them, Jesus makes four distinct but related statements:
- This is the time of fulfillment. To those who heard him, this meant that the long-awaited promises of God are now being fulfilled. Though he stops short of saying it himself, Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises.
- The kingdom of God is at hand. This description of God's rule over his people, over evil, and over death itself has been initiated. We understand that God's rule will be made complete when Jesus returns.*
- Repent. Instruction number one: change your heart and your conduct. Stop rebelling against God and start obeying him.
- Believe in the gospel. Jesus called those who heard him to believe not only in the good news from God, but also to believe in God at work in Jesus.*
And so we are still called from the beginning of our faith journey to believe in Jesus and in God's work done in his name. We are called to change our hearts and actions. We are called to live as God tells us rather than as we choose.
Today, as I live out this day, I will focus on present moments, thanking God for each one of them and seeking to live each of them as he expects rather than as I please.
Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions, missionaries to China who were martyred as witnesses to your faith, pray for us.
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