Global (MPLS)

Genesis 9:8–17

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

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.”

‘Text Message’ Reflection:
From Pastor Chris Enstad

Water flows in and around the texts for today. Water, like many of the gifts of God, has both the power to give and take. Too much or too little water and creation suffers. But water is a necessity for life as we know it. Today we see firsthand the both/and-ness of this gift and promise. God sends the waters of the flood and yet saves Noah and his family, with the gift of the rainbow as a reminder to both God and humanity of the global promise that God will not abandon us even in times of fear or doubt. The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus immediately (as Mark likes to remind us) after his baptism but then drives him out into the wilderness where, we learn, he experiences temptation for 40 days. These texts deliver a real truth about God and creation: while God does not promise that Christian life will be free of death, pain and fear, God does promise that God is with all of God’s children. God is faithful even when we are not.

‘Text Message’ Reflection Questions:

• What are some other parts of our created life that can both give joy and suffering?  Money? Status? Comfort? Electricity? Medicine?
• How can your Lenten practice be a place to carve out time and space to reflect and be aware of these realities?  What needs repentance?  What needs gratitude?

Prayer:

God, thank you for your promises to us and all of creation. Thank you for the gift of baptism. Help me to be your cup of cool water in your world even as I drink from your cup this day. Amen.