Gn 9:8-15
1 Pt 3:18-22
Mk 1:12-15

Lent

This past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, was the beginning of Lent. Every liturgical year the church sets aside forty days of preparation for the most important feast of the year – Easter. Reading the scripture, the Word of God for this Sunday, tells us that Jesus, following his baptism goes into the wilderness for forty days prior to beginning his public ministry. During that time he prayed and fasted, while at the same time he was tempted by Satan. This experience of Jesus is to be replicated in our lives during Lent. It can be a time of challenge, a time of new beginnings, conversion and growth. During the forty days of Lent we are called to repent of any negative thoughts, words and actions and renew or deepen our relationship with God. 

The first reading for this Sunday takes place following the great flood when God renews the covenant with Noah and his descendants. “God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ‘See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood…”  This story reminds us that God is faithful even when we do not follow God’s way. God is always present offering us love and forgiveness.

The second reading makes God’s forgiveness and the need for our transformation even clearer. “Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.”

The gospel reading is very short but filled with meaning. “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.’” Mark wants to make it clear that through the life of Jesus, God is seeking to bring a new kingdom into our world.

During the forty days of Lent, the church asks us to freely make the choice to go into the wilderness. It can be a time for us to seek ways to be a better person, while at the same time, deepening our relationship with God. It is a time for us to confront anything that is an obstacle preventing us from fully giving ourselves to God. The wilderness can mean different things to different people. For some, it is literally going to a different place, a quiet or remote place, to be alone with God for a certain period of time. For others, it means going interiorly to the center of one’s being to examine the weaknesses or temptations that limit our ability to grow closer to God. For others, it’s a choice to fast from any thought, word or action that prevents growth. (For instance, fasting from criticism or anger.)

Take the time and effort to make this Lent the most meaningful one of your life so that when you celebrate Easter, Jesus’ resurrection, you will be blessed and filled with Easter joy.

What will you choose to be the wilderness for you during this Lent?

How can you make “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” real in your life?