Lent | Mark 1:9-15
Over the next seven weeks, we will be exploring different spiritual practices that will help us engage with scripture differently during the Lenten season. Today, we engage with a spiritual practice called Contemplative Scripture Reading.
As a practice of immersing oneself in the words of the reading and bringing them to life, read 1-2 verses at a time, and pause after each set of verses for a time of meditation. During that time, imagine the scene that is being described. What do you see, hear, smell? How do you feel? How do others in the scene feel? What are their facial expressions? Explore the scene in your mind.
Repeat this practice until all of the verses have been read. Once the entire passage has been read, you are invited to journal your experiences. What stood out? What did you see, hear, smell, feel?
Today we will be focusing on Mark 1:9-15:
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 forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Here are some additional questions for you to ponder and journal about after you finish this particular spiritual practice, either now or throughout this week:
In this passage, we see one account of the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry on earth. What are some reasons Jesus’ ministry might have begun with baptism and fasting?
This passage contains God as a voice from heaven, God as the human Jesus, and God as Spirit. What could the interactions between these three reveal about Godself? What do they make you wonder about?
What is good news to you? What good news have you heard? What good news do you need to hear?
Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God has drawn near.” Imagine together what it looks like for the Kingdom of God to be near and present. How does this passage shape what that might look like?
Join our Lenten Reflections Group!
Would you like to engage with some of these spiritual practices in community?
Join our Lenten Reflections Drop-In Group! This group will be led by QCF Community Members Emerson Quadri (they/them) & Jessica Quadri (she/her) Wednesdays at 8PM ET. Join us for a time of reflection and discussion as we head into the Easter season.
Visit the link below to learn more!
