...never again shall all creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.

Genesis 9: 11

Offer Hope.  Reverse, Contain Chaos.

‘Americans love people who are in charge, be confident!’
As a requirement for working in the Diocese of Worcester, I had to undergo some kind of cultural immersion to know the culture of the people, likes and dislikes, do’s and don’ts. I had a nun who often repeated the above phrase: ‘We, Americans love people who are in charge, be confident!’  This trait is not unique to Americans, it might actually also apply to the Christian life.  The only difference in the latter (the Christian life) is what makes up this confidence?  What is it that defines a Christian who is in charge? To find the correct answer to this, we must resort to Jesus who is the Master.

The Gospel version we listen to today on this first Sunday of Lent is from Mark. Unlike other versions from the other gospel writers, it is short, clear, concise and to the point. It does not go into explaining all the particular details of the temptations of Jesus. The Jesus we see here, is clear and steadfast; he is in charge, he is driven into the desert without any worries of the outcome—Satan is no match.  Saint Mark is about one thing—Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.  He is in charge and confident. 

But again, what is it that makes up that confidence?  (And this is the point of the Gospel) Jesus’ Son-ship/Messiahship is about ‘reversing /containing chaos and offering hope.’  This is what defines his confidence.

The mission of Jesus continues and completes the Covenant God had signed with Noah after the great floods (First Reading).  This covenant is marked by the words, ‘never again’; “…never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed.”
Jesus is the bow—the sign—that recalls God's covenant that mortal beings will not be destroyed.  Through and by Jesus, God indeed will reverse and contain every chaos and offer hope.

What do the words ‘never again’ remind you of?  These words are often used by politicians and writers.

To be a Christian is to imitate Christ.  We are therefore challenged by today’s Word to 'put on' the same demeanor of Christ—his confidence, his being in charge—by reversing/containing every chaos and offering hope. This is what gives the Christian confidence.
Each day we see and hear bad news on the radio and the television; daily, we read our newspapers and learn about crime after crime. Frequently, we observe breakups of marriages, families, communities, and even nations, and we conclude the world is chaotic.  Unfortunately, we do not conclude that we can and must offer hope to our world.

What floods do we see around us in which others are drowning?  What ‘wild beasts’ attack others that we silently notice? 
What temptations, addictions, brokenness rips others’ lives apart that we see, but ignore or isolate ourselves from?  How much despair and disillusion must the world see as we look on?

Jesus, even though bound up with a world of chaos (the desert, Satan and his powers, human sickness, perversion and isolation) will overcome all chaotic forces. Jesus comes to proclaim hope:  ‘this is the time of fulfillment, the kingdom of God is at hand!’  He will provide hope for his people.  So, must we!

Reverse, contain chaos. Offer hope.

~ Father Anthony


READ HERE  a special Lenten message from Bishop Robert McManus, the Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester.