Choices, choices!

Like ourselves, Jesus has choices. Entering (as best we can) Jesus’ mind at the
commencement of his ministry (Mark 1:12-15), we witness his encounter with John the
Baptist, who has emerged from contemplative time in the desert, courageously calling for
repentance and proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. John baptises Jesus. Elsewhere Jesus
says of John – greater has never been born of woman. What a mighty man he was!
The Spirit descends on Jesus and the Father hails him as “beloved Son”. Wow! Jesus’response is the model for us.

First a retreat – the Spirit inspires him to take contemplation time in the wilderness. We can
imagine what inducements Satan might have tried to make Jesus abandon his mission.
“C’mon – God has just claimed you as his beloved Son – you are the man – numero uno! You
can do anything; have anything you want! Imagine the magic you can do – you can really go
places! Don’t waste your talents with these peasants – you’re for the big time.”
And we can imagine Jesus’ strength, supported by angels, in resisting Satan’s blandishments.
Instead, we visualise him prayerfully, reflectively discerning just what the Father wants of him.

Confident of the Father’s will, he knows the cost. As the pieces fall into place, John is
arrested and Jesus, focussed by his desert experience, begins his ministry in his home region
of Galilee – among the ordinary people where most of his ministry will take place.
Here is the model par excellence for us. Quiet, prayerful contemplation of what the Father
wants for me? Is it the easy, self-centred way of fame, fortune, power, glamour and self-
interest? Or is it the selfless, self-sacrificing way of John? How do we, like Jesus, bring the
Good News of the Kingdom among the ordinary people and circumstances of our lives? Lent
is the best time for contemplation of what the Father wants of us.

Deacon Mark Kelly