The Gospel is from Mark. Mark’s Gospel is considered the earliest of the gospels (written down about 65 or 70 AD). The passage today represents the very first words of Jesus, but the problem is with the translation.
So let’s dive into some Bible stuff. First of all a Bible is meant to be a workbook . . . that is to write in it, circle the passages that mean something to you. Too often a Bible is put on the shelf and revered. NO, it is meant to be used.
So for you who have a Bible with you, look at the front cover or in the first few pages. It should say what translation, or version, it is. For example:
New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem, Revised Standard, Living Word, The Way
The translation that we use at Mass is the New American Translation. The hardest one to use is the King James Translation (for it contains words that we don’t use anymore . . e.g. thoust, shouldst, etc.
So, how do you find passages? You can look up in index to find the book or letter. Remember the bible wasn’t written with chapters and verses. Those were added later, when the printing press was invented to help organize.
Now if you look at your Bible and find where the New Testament starts, you’ll notice that the Old Testament is larger than the New Testament. But I tell people that you must read the Old Testament with New Testament glasses. [I put on a pair of goofy glasses] For example, everyone look up Leviticus 24:19-21. Now here’s how you understand the scripture passage: the first number is the chapter, next numbers of verses (inclusive). [Read passage about an eye for an eye]. Now look up Matthew 5: 38-42. You see, we must read the Old Testament with insights of the New Testament.
Bible is NOT a history book nor a chronicle;
e.g. no dates, facts, how’s
not a newspaper (we expect our newspaper to be accurate with details)
e.g. Quotes are not exact - e.g. Lk and Mt have different version of the Lord’s Prayer
not intended for records or reporting facts
not concerned with secular events . . . but with God meaning/theology/salvation
it’s trying to give a message . . . and give meaning to life
Bible is not a biography of anyone (e.g. Jesus)
for there are no physical descriptions
not complete collections/accounts of his words or actions
biographies are about dead people, Jesus is alive, the church is alive!!!
Bible is not a defense of faith, or a proof of faith
Written from faith for faith (has a faith bias)
So look up the passage from today’s Gospel. It is first chapter of Mark gospel, and look specifically at Mark 1:15. Jesus tells us to repent. But that actually is a bad translation. The word “repent” implies that we have done something wrong. The original Greek translation is “metanoia” which is understood as “become your best self.” It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Be who you are meant to be.” Then he adds, “And believe in the good news.”
That’s the crucial part, for many times we think that scripture is there to shame us, or remind us of how awful we are. And that is NOT the case.
So remember when I told you that we view the old testament with New Testament glasses? Well then, we are to view the all of the New and Old Testaments with Jesus sunglasses. [I put on a pair of goofy sunglasses] These are shades that tell us to . . . trust the words of Jesus most of all.
For you can always find scripture passages that motivate you to hate or to blame. But the big message of Jesus (as you just heard) is to become your best self and to REALLY believe that what God is of love and that God has in store for you is GOOD NEWS.
So I encourage you to read the Bible. At the end of Mass we have some suggestions for how you can do this.
Allow God’s good news to radiate within you.