January 24 2021 – 3rd Sunday Epiphany
Mark 1:14-20 — Christ’s Kingdom and Paradise
What is the difference between the heavenly ‘paradise’ that Christ promised the thief on the cross and the kingdom of God?
Jesus’ encounter with his future disciples represents Mark’s first report of an act in Jesus’ ministry. It follows immediately after Mark’s summary of Jesus’ activity. Marching into Galilee, Jesus preaches a single distinctive message, the Gospel of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near.