2nd Sunday Lent 2024 St Andrew’s Milngavie
Today we marked the Second Sunday of Lent accompanied by Alison.
It’s not too late to join the Lent Group which started on Thursday 3pm at All Saints, Bearsden. It will run throughout Lent on Thursday afternoons. The book we are studying is “Rooted in Love” Lent reflections on Life in Christ introduced by Rt Rev Sarah Mullallay, The Bishop of London. Each session will cover one of the five sections of the book. Let me know if you need me to order you a copy.
Also available is the Ignatius Spirituality Centre Lent Retreat both online and in book format which Steve Parrott is very kindly able to provide. The theme is Through Lent with Pope Francis, drawing on some of the wisdom in the Pope’s homilies and encyclicals over the past 10 years covering some important themes, such as mercy, friendship, love and care.
This week
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room.
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House
Thursday 3pm – Lent Group All Saints Hall
Saturday – Diocesan Synod – Kilmarnock
Readings for next Sunday – 3rd Sunday in Lent – Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
Today’s readings – Genesis 17:1-7,15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38
Our scripture in Lent does lead us in many directions and through different time spans.
Last week we heard the words of God’s first covenant with Noah, followed by today’s reading from Genesis which continues the covenant theme. This time through Abraham and Sarah with a promise that they would be the bearers of a great dynasty. In the gospel we heard how the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. We saw how his time in the wilderness prepared Jesus for his ministry of healing and teaching. There he proclaimed the Good News that God’s kingdom had entered our world.
Now we join Jesus and his disciples near the end of that ministry. An extraordinary ministry that is about to become even more extraordinary – the improbability factor is rising. We heard in the reading from Genesis how, given his advanced age, it was highly improbable that Abram would ever father children. Yet, Abram believed God’s promise that he would become the father of many nations.
In the gospel Jesus tells us that, improbable as it might seem, the way to heavenly glory is the way of submission and suffering.
We do live in a very complex world. In our earthly life nothing is certain or secure. Our personal lives are made up of highs and lows, influenced by circumstances of health, relationships, work and finance. On the worldwide stage we daily hear stories of war and conflicts, tensions between nations. The news can be incredibly gloomy. But in the gospel today, we are urged to look beyond all this.
“You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” Mark 8:33 Jesus also said “I am the light of the world”. John 8:12
He encourages us to look beyond ourselves to God “ to find hope in our darkest moments”. But it’s a challenge, it is for us and it was for Jesus’ disciples. So, let’s reflect on this morning’s gospel.
“You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of man” Mark 8:33 Jesus says this to his disciples just after he has told them “The Son of Man must suffer many things…be rejected …… be killed and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31
This is the first time in scripture we hear Jesus predicting his death and resurrection. Understandably the disciples don’t like it – they can’t grasp it.
Up to this point in Mark’s gospel the focus has been on Jesus’ Galilean ministry his teaching, his healing miracles, his building up his relationship with his apostles. It’s all been good and positive. The crowds have been drawn with wonder and amazement, so too the apostles. But now suddenly the focus changes – it becomes more challenging. Jesus is suddenly taking the disciples further in their understanding of the person he is.
He begins by asking them “Who do you say that I am?” He asks. “You are the Christ” Mark 8:29 Peter is confident with his answer. What he is less confident about is what comes next.
“The son of man must undergo great suffering…be killed and in three days rise again” Mark 8:31
Like Peter we too can have a clear understanding of the earthly person of Christ. Jesus who came from Nazareth, lived among his people, taught them healed, them forgave them. But then he dies for them and rises again. And this is when it all becomes more complicated and uncertain because the scene has moved on. It’s gone from the earthly to the divine. It’s beginning to transcend our understanding. This is where the words “If any want to become my followers let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me” start to have significance.
Following Christ in a largely secular society is not easy. Committing yourself to divine mystery is not easy in a world which thrives on facts and reason and accountability. But the gospel tells us if we do commit ourselves to the love of God and engage in a relationship with him then the rewards are untold.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Like Peter and others over the centuries we need to show trust and faith in the face of uncertainty. Taking up our cross and following God means giving of ourselves – putting God first.
But above all trusting…..
Trusting that we don’t have all the answers.
Trusting in the greater mysteries.
Trusting that God will ultimately take care of us.
And that through the resurrection he ultimately has the last word.