Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Feb. 22, 2015
Noah and his sons view God’s rainbow in awe and wonder. From the Hebrew 6th century Vienna Genesis.
God makes a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy all human and animal life in a vast flood. This is the first in a series of covenants that God will make with Abraham and Moses: binding agreements that the prophets will hold up as the standard by which the people must live in order to inherit the Kingdom. Jesus, too, teaches God’s covenant as he calls us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves, building God’s Kingdom on earth by forgiving each other as God forgives us.
Psalm: Psalm 25:1-9
Attributed by tradition to King David, this Psalm of praise expresses the joy of holding up our hearts and souls with willing trust in God’s everlasting compassion and love. Some of the Psalm’s language, calling for protection against humiliation by enemies and scheming foes, may reflect the hard-won status of a tiny nation. But its tone rings of praise, not fear; and at the end it recalls the people’s covenant to follow God’s ways.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
The author of the first letter of Peter neatly ties together today’s First Reading and Gospel. Just as Noah and his family were saved in a world covered by water, we are now saved in the water of baptism. Both saving acts are the work of God. We are saved through the resurrection of Jesus, who now sits at God’s right hand as lord of all creation.
Gospel: Mark 1:9-15
Does this reading seem familiar? Yes, we have heard the first verses of this Gospel recently, on the first Sunday of Epiphany: Jesus emerges from Jordan’s waters to see a dove and hear a voice declaring him God’s beloved son. Now we are told of Jesus’ temptation in the desert as Mark moves quickly to the main event: Jesus proclaims the good news that will take him to the Cross: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.” The time is now. The kingdom is here. Repent – turn our lives toward Jesus’ way – and be ready.