Editor's note: The Tidings is offering an at home retreat through Lent using Franco Zeffirelli's miniseries, "Jesus of Nazareth." This is the second segment.

John the Baptist is the segue from the infancy narratives to the first time we see the adult Jesus in this series. His call to repentance echoes in our own day, and calls us to meet Jesus again in our lives, especially this Lent.

The Baptism of Jesus was a turning point in Jesus' life, a commitment to begin his mission, to respond fully to the call of God. We celebrate it soon after Christmas, as we begin reading the Scriptures about his public life.

There are two scenes of revelation in this session, i.e., the revelation of the Mystery of Jesus. The first is his Baptism itself; note how the revelation is made in this "film-gospel" and how it differs from some of the other Gospels.

The second revelation is one which Jesus gives about himself, in his first sermon in his hometown of Nazareth. Note what he says, and the reaction of his own people --- people he had grown up with. This sermon sets the tone for his entire ministry.

After that, Jesus leaves his hometown --- forever, it seems --- and begins gathering followers and preaching in the nearby cities. Pay attention to what he says, and perhaps try and listen to his message as if you were those first hearers.

Note how the "oral culture" of that time is portrayed: Jesus' preaching is direct, and the questions and debate are spontaneous. The original dialog homilies!

Then, Jesus begins healing --- starting with a man possessed by the devil.

(In watching the video, begin with the appearance of John the Baptist, through the baptism of Jesus, his first sermon in Nazareth, his first followers, his preaching about the Kingdom, and his cure of the demoniac. On DVD, view Chapters 28 through 34. About 30 minutes total viewing.)

Discussion Questions

--- Does Jesus' baptism tell us something about our own Baptisms? Lent is a time when we prepare to renew our Baptisms at Easter; does this scene remind us of something we need to work on?

--- What was the message Jesus preached? What did he mean by "Kingdom?" How do you understand it today?

--- Do we have the same problem as those of Nazareth, refusing to believe that God can come to us in "ordinary" ways, through "ordinary" people?

--- As we begin Lent, what words of Jesus have special meaning for us today?

Next week: Jesus heals a paralyzed person, and calls Peter and Matthew --- but not without a struggle.

---Rev. Anthony Scannell, OFM Capuchin