Joining in on a New Beginning
- davidwperk
- Feb 20, 2024
- 6 min read
Daily Office Devotional, Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The week of the first Sunday in Lent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phases for reflection in today’s reading:
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 953)
AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48
Gen. 37:12-24; 1 Cor. 1:20-31; Mark 1:14-28
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Douglass. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
Hannah Ardnt once wrote that we "are not born to die but in order to begin.”*
Today’s Gospel offers us the earliest witness to a remarkable beginning, and starts with that very word, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” And, after his baptism and temptations, today’s reading summarizes Jesus’ message in verse 15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
What is this beginning that Mark heralds with the stories of John the Baptist and Jesus? What will it be like? Our reading gives us hints. First, it means that in Christ God will create a new community of people who share faith in Christ and his mission of gathering people. Jesus calls four disciples to join him in gathering people, “fishing for people.” Jesus, an outstanding gatherer, begins immediately to gather and to teach others to join in gathering.
This beginning that God is doing in Christ involves his teaching and his healings. The teaching of Jesus had unique authority to generate obedience and transformation. Jesus also healed people, delivering them from all sorts of maladies including the oppressive influence of evil. In the words of Lutheran bishop and New Testament scholar Krister Stendahl, Jesus miracles involved not merely a display of power; they were a mending of the creation.+
Mark alludes to Genesis 1:1 with the words “The beginning of the Gospel” (1:1). Could he mean for us to see Christ’s coming as a new creation? The writer of Revelation quotes God as saying, “Behold, I make all things new,” words we preserve in Prayer D in The Book of Common Prayer with reference to Jesus’ saving work. “To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.” (BCP, 374) Every time I read these words as a presider at Holy Eucharist, I feel a surge of energy that puts a lump in my throat. All possibilities open to us for new beginnings.
Churches, newly started and long standing, can teem with the newness of beginning. When Christ’s unique authority to teach, heal, and gather provides the driving energy, new things spring forth. Our call is to join with God in gathering people into community and focusing on Jesus’ teaching and ministry of transformation and deliverance. What a joy and privilege to sense newness breaking out and to join that energy.
You are sharing in your Christian community, whether here in central Virginia, or in the place where you live, because Jesus’ loving presence has gathered you there. What an exciting journey now is yours—to discover how you can join in Jesus’ mission of gathering others. Remember, God makes all things new.
*Cited by Oliver Arel, preface to Paul Ricoeur, Living Up to Death. (Chicago: Chicago UP, 2009), p. xiii.
+Krister Stendahl, "Christ's Lordship and Religious Pluralism," in Meanings: The Bible as Document and as Guide, (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984), p. 235.
Collect of the Day, The First Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 218)
Collect for Tuesday in the first week of Lent
Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints, p. 37)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Frederick Douglass, social reformer (died 20 Feb 1895 CE)
Collect of the Feast of Frederick Douglass
Almighty God, we bless your Name for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned and reasonable speech moved the hearts of people to a deeper obedience to Christ: Strengthen us also to speak on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation, continuing in the way of Jesus Christ our Liberator; who with you and the Holy Spirit dwells in glory everlasting. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen. (BCP, 123)
For Education
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP 261)
A Prayer for Light
O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)
A Collect for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Mark 1:14-28
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ 18And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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