into Galilee and began preaching the Good News of God. He said, “The time has come; the kingdom of God is at hand.
Change your ways and believe the Good News.”
Lection Divina:
READ: After His baptism, Jesus was transported to the desert to strengthen
Himself for the coming ministry. When the voice of John was stifled because of
his arrest, Jesus continued the preaching of the Good News.
REFLECT: Jesus did not immediately plunge into the ministry when He is
baptized by John and proclaimed as the One sent by God. He chooses to go into
the desert to fortify Himself for the task ahead. For the greater the responsibility
is, the more we should do preparations to accomplish it. Jesus had to reckon
with what He brings to the ministry. It is coming to terms with one’s wild animals
and angels within. Getting to know them allows one to minimize the effect of
personal weakness and maximize the benefits of the strength and capacities.
It takes time to know, acknowledge and label each one of them. For some, the
forty days is a task of a life time. But we must not be afraid to enter into the quiet
school of our desert. It is only in there that we get to measure ourselves and chart
a program of self-growth and development. The desert is a friend.
RESPOND: In a world full of noise and haste, it is good to find a quiet time to
come to terms with our wild animals and angels. It is not a waste of time. It is a
good time spent for understanding ourselves. And having done so, we become
lighter for others to bear. For they don’t have to deal with our issues. We are
dealing with them ourselves in a mature and responsible way.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021