The Lord is Near

This Character Reflection is based on Mark 1:9-15, the Gospel set for this Sunday (Lent 1, Yr B) in the Revised Common Lectionary. It is inspired by the spirit drawing my attention to the idea that Jesus' first words after his 40 days in the wilderness echo the teaching of John the Baptist. It is written from the point of view of a bystander in the crowd.

Witness in the Wilderness

(Written February, 2021
Scripture references: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)

It’s humbling to witness Jesus in the wilderness –
He has such strength, such courage, a peacefulness.
No challenge, not even the devil, can break him down –
Just one sharp rebuke removing temptation from His thought.

Wine – God’s Miracle!

(Written January, 2019 - based on The Wedding at Cana - John 2:1-11)

First Stanza:

A miracle, a precious gift from God,
when you run on empty far too long.
Filling the barrel alone proved impossible -
God renews and refreshes His way!