Lori Fredette
The events in these passages of Mark quickly unfold as they do in an action movie – baptized, torn open, descended, sent, tempted, etc. No lingering! No contemplative pro and con discussions! Just act (with the guidance of the Holy Spirit)! In reality, Jesus had to be fast. He only had about three years to minister to the people.
So why is that path so difficult for us to follow? Why do we hesitate to do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31)? Could it be that we dwell on Satan’s thoughts (II Cor. 2:11)? Why can’t we “just say no” to the bad and cling to the good? Why do we analyze and doubt? Could it be that we have become slaves to our quest for scientific knowledge? Questions, questions ad infinitum!
The Old and the New Testament are replete with examples of Satan’s powers – his deceptions, jealousies, killings, etc. What is astonishing is that most of these evils are present in the midst of goodness, as in the Garden of Eden. Good choices often become tainted. But good does triumph over evil when individuals repent and turn to God. King David is often cited as such an example. And who guides the misguided to change? The prophets? The priests? God? More specifically, I believe, the Holy Spirit intervenes.
After John was incarcerated in these verses from Mark, Jesus taught the good news of God in Galilee. Imparting the good news was more important than disagreeing with the authorities about John’s unfair imprisonment. Instead, Jesus focused on the message and spoke these simple words to the people, “The time has come … the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” The good news won out over the evil choices of King Herod and his queen.
It is imperative for us to be aware of how evil is imbedded in the midst of good. It is also necessary for us to be able to discern evil masquerading as good. The Garden of Earthly Delights, by the 16th century painter Hieronymus Bosch, vividly depicts both concepts. It is equally important for us to fight evil, no matter how difficult a task. Some of Bach’s cantatas attest to the fight of good versus evil in a most profound way. More currently, the Narnia films, based on C.S. Lewis’ stories, portray the same theme. When one is aware of the truth, when one can see or feel the evil for what it is, as the artists did, one is no longer mesmerized by its tantalizing hold. One can, with the help of the Spirit, rise above it and act to proclaim the good news of God in a myriad of ways.
In December Rene and I visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Along the beach, we watched a class of elementary school children marching two by two toward a simple amphitheater on the public square, whose backdrop was formed by five tall arches in front of the magnificent blue harbor. The children wore white costumes with some colorful accents. There were many “angels and shepherds”, three “kings”, “Mary and Joseph”, and a child clad in red. Simply an adorable sight! These little darlings then enacted the Christmas story, with the red kiddo snaking through the scenes. The “actors”, however, focused on their presentation and simply ignored the “red nuisance”.
The bus driver asked me, “Who is that boy in red?” When I answered, “The devil,” he looked pleased, and remarked, “Yes, evil is always present, even with the innocents.” “True,” I agreed, “One always has to be on guard.”
Our experience at the beach had an unforeseen impact. It was the filter through which I read the Mark 1 Bible verses, where Jesus “ignored” the tempter and temptations by focusing on the good news of God. What we can learn from children! Indeed, the Spirit moves in mysterious ways …
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