During the course of the liturgical year´s B cycle, we immerse ourselves in Ordinary Time, where the Sunday liturgy has guided us through the Gospel according to Saint Mark. In this stage of reflection, I invite you to delve into the depths of this Gospel, explore its teachings, and apply them practically in your daily life.

Although not a direct disciple of Jesus, Saint Mark played a crucial role by accompanying Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey and later by serving as an interpreter for Peter. Specifically directed to the Christian communities in Rome, this Gospel aimed to present Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. Written around the year 70, in a context of persecution under the reign of Nero, it offered a proposal for life radically opposed to that of the Roman Empire. Amid adversity and danger, Jesus´ followers faced crucial decisions, illuminating their lives with the sayings and deeds of the Master.

To fully grasp the theology and teachings of this Gospel, Mark introduces us to a peculiar character who plays a crucial role in the narrative: John the Baptist. Through this enigmatic figure and his philosophy, I invite you to engage in a meditation that seeks to illuminate your life with the teachings of Jesus and his message of spiritual transformation.

“The good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begins. As it is written in Isaiah´s prophecy, ¨Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead to prepare the way for you.” (Mark,1, Catholic Bible Online) A voice cries out in the desert: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his path smooth (Is 40:3; Mal 3:1). John appeared in the desert baptizing and preaching a baptism of penance for the forgiveness of sins. All the people of Judea and Jerusalem came to be baptized in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John wore a camel-skin suit, girded himself with a leather belt, and ate grasshoppers.¨”

To reflect on this passage, we will immerse ourselves in a biblical re-reading that involves translating the narrative to our current time and space, applying it to our lives here and now. We will use the pastoral method of SEE, JUDGE, ACT.

SEE: By inserting the biblical situation into our current context, we will face the task of being objective and addressing situations with seriousness and depth.

JUDGE: We illuminate our daily experiences with the light of the Gospel, questioning and reflecting on how these teachings can guide our actions and decisions.

ACT: We challenge ourselves to apply this received wisdom in our daily lives, seeking to transform our actions and attitudes in the light of faith.

Let us start imagining how a contemporary journalist would narrate the emergence of a new figure in the media.

“Today we witnessed an extraordinary event: a man dressed in a peculiar manner has appeared at the Coliseum of Santa Ursula (Mexico) proclaiming an individual of humble origin and worker as the SON OF GOD. He urges us to prepare the way to receive his message.

SEE:

In this context, we are faced with the call to confess our sins. In a world where the notion of sin seems to blur, how do we define the concept in today´s society?

Currently, the moral landscape is challenged by the acceptance of practices such as state-backed abortion, the evolution of marital structures, and the increasing influence of atheistic ideologies in governments once considered Christian. Corruption, impunity, and the lack of ethical values seem to prevail, while honesty and integrity are relegated to a secondary position in favor of personal gain.

JUDGE:

The precursor and messenger continues to shout in the Coliseum of Santa Ursula that it has begun to become empty because since there is no knowledge of sin, it is not a message that interest them. For how am I going to smooth the paths to receive the Son of God? How am I going to do penance if I have been taught that I have the right to decide what is good and what is bad for me? If we are no longer taught to control the passions, to mortify the vices, if I have been taught that I am my own God?

Why should I accept a Son of God if I am my own God? Why should I accept a baptism that will put a block that prevents me from being myself and from following my instincts and my passions? What kind of happiness will a life, without debauchery, bring me? Why should I not enjoy all that life has to offer me if I am going to die? Why should I put a limit on my carnal desires if I am not more than an entity that has the same functions as an animal?

Th enigmatic figure contrasts with the values that have been planted in us little by little with that secular education, with uncensored television programs, with unbridled music and without musical taste?

This character and his words remind us that the human being is not only a living entity, but that it is special because the ability to reason and realize the difference to other living beings. This human being who has at its feet an entire technologically advanced civilization is not a programmed machine, but differs from the other beings existing on earth because it has something special called SPIRIT (SOUL) that elevates it above everything else. Therefore, this human being can change its secular mentality and seek something more that will elevate it from the rest of the living beings.

ACT:

Therefore, we must pause a little longer before this strange man and meditate and reason, allowing this Good News to lift us above the rest of existence and give us a privileged place in creation. It is true that it comes with a price, TO CEASE BEING EARTHLY CREATURES AND ASPIRE TO THE HIGHEST!

You and I can walk above what exists and rise to the supernatural and sublime. I invite you to stop dragging ourselves through the ground and the muck and to elevate ourselves to the heights of truth and virtue.

To do this, we can initiate a change:

1. Reflect Daily: Dedicate time each day to reflect on your beliefs, values, and actions, aligning them with the teachings of the Gospel.
2. Practice Gratitude; Cultivate the sense of gratitude for the blessings in your life, recognizing them as gifts from a higher powers.
3. Serve Others: Engage in acts of kindness and service to those in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and love taught by Jesus.
4. Seek Forgiveness: Acknowledge your shortcomings and experience the mercy and grace of God.
5. Pray and Meditate: Establish a regular practice of prayer and meditation to deepen your spiritual connection and seek guidance from the divine.

By taking these specific actions, we can actively work for the present moment. I invite you to follow the one who proclaims the Gospel of Mark as the SON OF GOD. Le us prepare the way to receive him by acknowledging our sins and confessing our weaknesses before the MERCIFUL GOD, who embraces us as a LOVING FATHER. His only desire is for us to ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE LOVED BY HIM!

God bless us all!

Ana María Guzmán MRS

REFLECTION:

Do you believe that the Gospel of Mark is relevant in our time?

In the environment where you live, do you think that society in general is disconnected from the spiritual?

Can you provide insights on how you address the issue of atheism in your surroundings?