Our first reading of the new year is Mark, chapter one. I won't always have a comment on the reading, but simply leave a post like this one for you to comment on and discuss the reading. But today, I'll say these couple of things. 1. Mark's gospel usually has a lot action taking place in a short number of verses -- like "Action Headline News". In this chapter, Jesus is announced by John according to the prophecy of Isaiah; John is at work calling the people to be baptized for repentence; Jesus is baptized; John is arrested; Jesus is tempted; John is arrested; Jesus begins his ministry, calls his first disciples, heals, casts out demons, spends time alone, does more healing, and states that the Kingdom of God has come near and it's time to repent. Whew. 2. The supernatural world bleeds through into the natural world in this chapter. Notice the voice from heaven (God) approving Jesus' baptism, followed by the Spirit compelling Jesus into the wilderness t...