Monastery of the Mount of Temptation – Jericho
Gospel – Mark 1:12-15
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Reflection by Br. Stephen Tuohy, FSC
Jesus and John were cousins; John was a bit older.
John’s mission was to prepare the way for Jesus.
This passage reminds us that Jesus’ mission began as John’s mission was ending. A torch had been passed.
This is my eighth year at Bethlehem University, first as Vice President for Development then as Vice President of Human Resources.
This year there are seven Brothers in the community from five countries: Ethiopia, Mexico, New Zealand, Palestine and United States (3), representing all five Regions of the Institute. We are an international community.
What could be better than celebrating Christmas in Bethlehem? Each Christmas the Brother communities from Jerusalem and Jaffa join us in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas. This year because of COVID only one Brother and Seminarian from Jerusalem were able to join us.
Reflection Questions
- Consider those who have prepared the way for you to pursue your mission and those you may be able to assist in pursuing their mission.
- Pray in thanksgiving for those who have helped you. If you have not already done so, thank them before it is too late.
- Pray for the competence and confidence to help others.
Bethlehem University Community Christmas 2020 Rear Row: Br Daoud (Jerusalem), Br Alejandro (Mexico), Baptiste (French Seminarian), Br Belayneh (Ethiopia), Br Peter Bray (New Zealand), Br Neil (USA) Front Row: Br Jean (Palestine), Br Peter Iorlano (USA), Br Stephen (USA)
Thanks, Brother Stephen for your reflection! And we do indeed stand on the shoulders of those who went before us. We have much to be thankful for!
Thank you~Good to see you Brother Peter
Thank you, Stephen Helps us to think about our own blessings.
Peter Bonventre
Thank you, Br. Stephen – and so great to see all your wonderful faces again. Prayers and hopes to return to be with you all again.
So good to see the familiar faces. I agree no better place to celebrate Christmas.
Thank you for the thoughtful reflection questions.
Thank you, Brother, for reminding us to be thankful for those who called us out of the desert so that we might be that voice to those who come after us.
Thank you, Br Stephen… Your reflection reminds me that the Lord speaks to us both individually and in community… both the community(-ies) of today as well as well as all the different types of community that we have experienced from our first family life throughout life’s journeys to the present day. The Lord and his Church have always been there.