Psalm: 85

Meditation

Mark: The good thing about Mark is that he doesn’t mince words. He seems (or I interpret him) to weigh each word carefully (actually the Holy Spirit). Mark initiates his gospel citing a prophecy from Malachi 3:1 almost verbatim. Then comes John the baptizer – who looks every inch a prophet: odd behavior, odder attire, and a downright bizarre message. Imagine, we (Jews) need to be baptized (which was reserved to converts)! They did but they did not know it. They saw themselves as God’s “chosen people” – what more did they need? Plenty, as it turns out.

Gospel: 

Mark 1:1-8

New Testament:

2 Peter 2:1-10

Old Testament:

Isaiah 9:8-17