Summary in five words (to the sources)

 ‘… Prepare the way for the Lord’ (Mark 1:3)

Mark 1:1-8 (Year B: Advent 2)

The Gospel of Mark is uniquely concise and action-orientated. The first chapter reads, in many respects, as an executive summary of the entire Gospel. It can be captured in five words all of which appear as themes in this first chapter of this Gospel:

1. Repent (v 15)
2. Believe (v 15)
3. Healed (v 34)
4. Follow (v 17)
5. Sent (v 17)

The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark is worth reading slowly and prayerfully. It holds the key to the entire Good News story about Jesus. When a sentence or a phrase strikes we can just stop there and linger awhile in silence and quiet. A quiet spot and a regular time of day is an idea for this type of exercise. It takes practice and discipline. It bears fruit. In that way we can ‘prepare a way’ in the desert of our lives. And we will be overtaken by surprise – surprise that God loves us more than we ever imagined possible.

                                                                 Pic: http://www.theoldpathspublications.com/

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