Today's readings are Genesis 1.1-19 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+1.1-19 and Mark 1.1-13 http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Mark+1.1-13 .
In both of our readings today we see the beginnings - the beginning of creation and the beginning of the Gospel. Of course we could find all sorts of similarities, but there's one I want to focus on. The Spirit of God is alive and well, present in both the creation of the world and the redemption of the world. From the start, God the Spirit is there watching over creation. He is hovering over the formless and void world. There's no reason to think he departs as the earth is filled and adorned by the spoken decrees of God. We see also in Mark's Gospel that Jesus is the one who will give the Holy Spirit, who is present at the baptism of Jesus and who is given by Jesus in baptism.
As we celebrate Ash Wednesday and consider the forty days until Easter, we realize that this world, though a fallen place, is superintended by the Holy Spirit. We can have confidence that the Spirit of God is washing his people, purifying them, nourishing them, and equipping them for the service they will have in this world. The same Holy Spirit who rested on Jesus at his baptism is given to everyone who believes on Jesus. This is the same Holy Spirit who drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted, and who sustained him through all his temptation.
May we be a people, conformed to the image of God in Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit which Jesus gives. May we be washed, comforted, protected, and used by the Spirit, in perfect dependence on him, rather than depending on our own ability.
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