FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
(Genesis 9: 8-15; I Peter 3: 18-22; Mark 1:
12-15)
They say that Army Ranger School is the
toughest test for leaders of soldiers. It is comprised of sixty-one days of
training to develop skills in direct fire battles. Not only does the
participant have to perform difficult maneuvers, but he or she also has to
function on less than five hours of sleep. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is
seen undergoing a test similar to the Army Ranger School.
The reading says that Jesus is tempted by
Satan for forty days. The Gospel according to Mark does not explain the
temptations. However, it can be said that having a human nature, Jesus is
tempted like all human beings. It is proposed that he considers his own desires
as priorities, more important than the needs of others. Today we see this type
of temptation in the claims of some people to be vaccinated before others. More
generally, it is seen in the willingness to have almost everything in our own
way.
The season of Lent offers us forty days to
be tested together with Jesus. We should understand it as a training to live in
a new way. Jesus is going to instruct us how to curb our own desires and serve
others. He will help us break habits that weaken us. Some are so consumed with
drinking that evening cocktails become what most occupies their attention
during the day. This type of person should consider giving up alcohol for 40
days. Others are so focused on their work that finishing tasks before bed takes
a top priority. It would be helpful for this type of person to put more trust
in God by taking the necessary rest for health.
The second reading provides another key to
understanding the meaning of Lent. The Letter of Peter compares the waters of
Baptism with those of the flood. As the waters of the flood delivered Noah and
his family from the world permeated with sin, so the waters of Baptism have
delivered us. During Lent we prepare to renew baptismal promises on Easter
Sunday. Together with the catechumens we are going to rededicate ourselves to
Christ. We should think of the promises as waters not only washing us from sin
but also illuminating for us the Christian way. It is as if the waters wash
away all pollution from the air so that for the first time we can see ahead
clearly.
Although the gospel does not relate the
desert temptations, it does give account of their outcome. It says that Jesus
goes to preach the good news. "’... the Kingdom of God is at hand,’” he
proclaims, “’Repent and believe ...’" It is worth repacking and
reproclaiming this message for the world today. Although there are churches in
every sector of town, people no longer live adhering to the faith. Most people
think it is acceptable to cohabit before getting married. Meanwhile many
children live without both mother and father in the home. Our society needs now
more than ever the message of God's will for it.
How are we going to deliver the message?
Very few have the opportunity to proclaim it from the pulpit. But everyone can
preach it by setting a good example. We can take advantage of this Lenten
season. If we can't visit the sick, we can support the charities that do.
Instead of always commenting on the faults of others, we can point out their
virtues. On Fridays we can not only abstain from meat but also prepare simple
meals like rice and beans. If someone asks us why, we can answer that our
sacrifices demonstrate our love for the Lord. We can also turn off the TV to
read the gospel and pray for other others.
Do we remember the "Rocky" movie?
When the protagonist began training for the boxing championship, he had a lot
of difficulty. Getting up in the morning to exercise seemed as challenging as
swimming in icy waters. But by the time of the event, he had become a man
living in a completely new way. It is like this if we take advantage of Lent as
a period of enlightenment. By Easter we will be kinder, calmer, and more loving
of the Lord.
