Lenten Reflection for February 14

Mark 1:1-13

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;  the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, 

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Reflection: Kathleen Jackson

 When I think of John the Baptist, I can only imagine how wild he must have appeared to the people, with his clothing, strange food, and intensity. And yet, he had disciples and followers and people eager to be baptized by him. His deep sincerity and adherence to truth must have been extremely attractive.

I have a dear friend who I think channels John the Baptist. She is an Episcopal priest who is utterly devoted to Jesus. She smokes, drinks, and sometimes even swears. She shaves her head in solidarity with parishioners who have cancer. She has served in some of the poorest spots on the globe including Haiti, Sudan, and The Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. She has spoken truth to power within the church and sometimes gotten in trouble for it. On a least one occasion, she risked her life for God. She said if she was going to die, it would be doing the Lord’s work set out for her. As she says “the worst that could happen was I would die and wake up having breakfast with Jesus.” I call my ferocious friend The Lioness of God.

I have been part of the Lioness’ circle of close friends since she was a deacon. In turn, she has helped me and my entire family navigate my young son’s illness. She even ministered to his younger brother by taking him on an imaginary trip to space to help him understand why his brother acted the way he did. She may not eat locusts and wild honey, but she’s eaten pansies at the pulpit to make a point. Her preaching is inspired and when she sings, angels dance. When she prays “Gracious God, in whom we live and move and have our being…” I know she means it.

The Lioness may be too intense for some, just as, undoubtedly, John was. However, they are heralds for Jesus, faithfully preparing the way, helping us all to face the temptations coming ahead. I meet Jesus in the sincerity of the Lioness and all others with my circle of wisdom.