You Bid the Sky

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.

Mark 1:12-15

For today’s readings, which range from Noah in the Flood to Jesus in the Desert:

 You bid the sky bring forth its birds,
 the earth its creeping, coursing beasts,
 with no more force than of your words.
 You gave them riches for their feasts.
  
 You set your bow among the clouds,
 a vow to every living thing
 that never more would floods drown out
 the world of voices meant to sing.
  
 And then—oh, wonder more than all!—
 you came in flesh made like their own,
 that creatures made but by your call
 might feel your touch in flesh and bone.
  
 Then in the desert, far from floods,
 you dwelt sun-drenched among the wild,
 preparing heart and soul and blood
 for years of toil and days of trial.
  
 Not as the hunter, proud and strong,
 but humble, hidden well as prey,
 you left your bow and journeyed on
 to meet your dreadful, final day.
  
 O Christ, who bore destruction here
 as mortal as the meanest beast,
 teach us to join you without fear
 in death and in your heav'nly feast.