January 24
Sanctity of life sunday
Jesus Begins His Ministry
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[a] repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”[b] 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
The gospel according to Mark
Mark 1:14-20
- How did either the Gospel passage of the Visio Divina exercise lead you personally into worship this week?
- In verse 15 we get Jesus’ first articulation of his message in the Gospel of Mark. Is this how you usually think of the gospel? How does this expand or illuminate who Jesus is, what his mission is, and what following him means? What would Jesus proclaiming this over us mean for our lives in this time? Take some time to meditate on each part of his message, and then discuss what these phrases mean:
- The time is fulfilled
- the kingdom of God is at hand
- repent and believe the gospel
- What stands out to you as particularly surprising, confusing or moving about Jesus’ calling of his disciples? How is Jesus’ proclamation of his message in verse 15 connected with his call to his disciples that if they follow him, he will make them fishers of men? Think of a time when you heard Jesus’ call on your life. What similarities and differences were there to this passage? How was your response to him similar or different to the disciples’ response in this passage?
visio divina
Peter and John Running to the Tomb by Eugène Burnand, 1898, oil on canvas, 32”x52”
What are you most drawn to in this image?
How are your emotions stirred by it?
Ask the Lord to increase your holy desires.
This Sunday is National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Churches around the U.S. celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit to protecting human life at every stage. This painting by Swiss artist Burnand captures the apostles’ eagerness to connect with the Author of Life.
As you gaze at the dawning of the sky in this painting, consider how God created the heavens in Genesis. Now imagine yourself like Peter and John, as a close disciple of Jesus in His inner circle. After three years together, you have witnessed Jesus raise the dead, heal the sick, multiply meals, and forgive sinners who have chosen life in Christ over injustice and death.
You and the disciples have suffered three days of deep despair following Jesus’ humiliating death. All appears lost. But Mary Magdalene has just proclaimed that the tomb is empty–He has risen! Her words ring in your ears. Yet you aren’t sure you can believe her as you race to the tomb…
Look at Peter’s hand grasping his chest. Imagine his feelings just days earlier. What complex emotions do you feel as you follow Jesus?
John saw Jesus die on the cross, the only male disciple to remain by his side to the end. Have you been a faithful believer for a long time? Do you have any doubts that Christ might renew your life now?
Burnand depicts the promise of what is yet to come, what we still cannot see. Please, Lord, help us encounter anew the Author of Life!
Settling and Noticing (eyes open) – 2 minutes
- Take a few deep breaths. Settle into this present moment. Open your heart to God.
- Explore all of the details, colors, movements, and shapes in the image. Then focus more intently on a single aspect of the larger image.
Savoring and Pondering (eyes closed) – 1 minute
- Staying with the part of the image you are drawn to, close your eyes, and recreate or visualize that aspect of the image in your mind’s eye.
- While your eyes are still closed, notice any images, feelings, thoughts or memories from your life that might arise in association with this image
Conclusion (eyes opened or closed) – 2 minutes
- How does the image and your response to it meet you at this particular moment of your life?
- Have a little conversation with God about whatever has arisen in your heart during this exercise. You might find it helpful to write down what happened as you prayed with this image.
Musical Devotion
Worship
Use these songs to guide your worship as you reflect on this week’s Gospel passage.
I Will Follow (Jon Guerra)
Classical
Cantata: Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22 (J.S. Bach)
Miroirs (Reflections): III: Une barque sur l'Ocean (A boat on the ocean) (Maurice Ravel)
