Read Mark 1:1-15

You are my Son, the Beloved … (Mark 1:11)

When they sold their country home decades ago, his wife said she would miss tending the flowers and vegetables in the large gardens on their property. To comfort her when they moved into their tiny condo in the city, her husband promised to bring her fresh flowers every couple of weeks. So, in all the years that followed he remained faithful to her in his promise even as her health failed.

After she died, he continued to ensure fresh flowers surrounded her urn until the time of burial. Every time he brought flowers, the promise and memory of his love for her was made real. 

Even though over a third of this short Gospel centres on the Passion of Christ and the Cross, the first words of Mark set the tone for the entire reading of the Gospel: This is “good news” (verse 1), because of God’s love. Love is the promise. The promise is and will be fulfilled. Love endures all things, even death.

Imagine if we journeyed to the south pole and sat on the earth’s southernmost point. At the south pole, we cannot go any farther south, and notions of east or west do not apply. Everything we see, and every direction we follow, is to the north.

Wherever we are on the planet, there is only one direction. In Christ’s love, there is neither east or west, friend or foe. Everything we see, in any direction, is something or someone God has created in God’s love. 

The vision of God’s love is unitive. Because God loves all, we – being in Christ – love all. Dualities such as law and gospel are seen and understood through the lens of God’s universal love.

Gracious God, help us to focus on your love for us, even in times of loss. Help us, on our journey, to recognize your loving presence in the face of our neighbour.