Sunday, , February 18, 2024

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, February 18, 2024

(Genesis 9:8-15; I Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15)

Always on the first Sunday of Lent we hear that Jesus is tempted in the desert. Probably most of us remember how Satan challenges the Lord to change stones into loaves and bow down before him. However, the passage from the Gospel according to Saint Mark that we have just heard says nothing about the contents of the temptations. It only reports that the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the desert. It is not correct to think that Mark has the same temptations in mind as Matthew and Luke. In fact, it seems that Marcos has another idea of temptation.

The word for temptation has two meanings. It may be an attempt to seduce a person to betray his principles with something attractive. Or it may be testing the person to strengthen him or her. Because the Holy Spirit originates the temptation here and there is no suggestion of seduction, it is likely meant as a testing and strengthening.

The temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark can be compared to the United States Army Ranger School. Preparing for combat, soldiers train for more than sixty days in extremely rigorous conditions. They eat only 2,200 calories and sleep on average only 3.5 hours daily. Surely after such a challenging course the soldiers will be among the most war-ready in the world. Thus Jesus prepares himself for the mission that he is about to begin. He will preach “the Kingdom of God” that saves the world from perdition and gives it peace.

We must think of Lent as our training to continue this mission of Jesus. In the world today, culture has largely left religion behind. Popular songs tell of sexual encounters, not of meetings with the priest to prepare for marriage. Sunday mornings are reserved even more for soccer or basketball games than for going to church. Christmas is about giving gifts to each other, not about worshiping the Child Redeemer. And Easter is remembered for hunting for eggs and eating chocolates, not for the hope of eternal life.

“So what's the problem?” some will ask. The problem, which is very big, is that once society loses its religion, it also loses its core that holds all its parts together. As a result, it will begin to fall apart. Without religion, society would not be responsible to the Only One who cannot be deceived. Huge problems soon appeared. We see indications of undoing now in our society. A growing number of teenagers attempt suicide. The media regularly gives out misinformation to manipulate the public into conforming to their own perspective. With the preoccupation with sex without the intention of having a family, the population becomes smaller, older and weaker.

It is up to all of us to bear witness to Jesus Christ who incorporates in himself the Kingdom of God. We do it first of all with righteous lives. The Lenten discipline of saying “no” to continuous offers to eat and drink more strengthens us morally. The Lenten commitment to prayer will bring us closer to God, always our main resource in the mission. And efforts on behalf of the needy will bring us closer to Jesus' priority for the poor.

Why do sacrifices seem like an insurmountable challenge at the beginning of Lent, but at the end of the season like no big deal? Could it be that we are too lax now and need an awakening to live really well? As with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is propelling us forward. Let’s not turn away from the challenge!

Friday, February 16, 2024

Friday after Ash Wednesday

(Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15)

Catholics used to fast often.  Before Vatican II adults would observe Ember days - four Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during the year -- when they would eat meat only once (no meat on Fridays, of course) and nothing between meals.  During the whole of Lent they would fast in the same way.  Probably taking the first reading to heart, bishops decided to relax the rules on fasting.  Ember days have been dropped altogether, and the Lenten fast days are limited to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting has advantages.  Eating meat can build up cholesterol levels to unsafe levels.  Moreover, refraining from what one enjoys will increase discip0line to resist overindulgence.  These, however, are only side benefits of fasting.  It is meant as a penitential practice.  We sacrifice the pleasure of eating to show sorrow for our sins.  It is like a fine for a traffic violation.  The fee will likely create difficulty for the payer and make her or him a more conscientious driver.

We still hear preachers saying that in place of fasting, let us do good works during Lent.  But why does Lenten practice have to be an either/or proposition?  We should fast, do charitable works, and take more time for prayer as ways of imitating our Lord Jesus.

 

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

(Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25)

One might expect the reading on this second day of Lent to refer to the beginning of Israel’s desert experience.  After all, the forty days of Lent are frequented compared the forty years of Israel on journey with the Lord.  However, the context of the first reading is the end of Israel’s formation as the nation prepares to enter the lands of Canaan.  Lent is more than a time of trial; it is also perhaps the best opportunity during the year to reflect on what life is all about.  In the reading Moses does exactly that.

The prophet urges Israel to consider all that the Lord has done for the nation.  Not only has He brought its people out of slavery; he has also given them the Law as a sure guide to prosperity.  They could disregard the commands to love the Lord and to treat neighbors fairly.  However much personal gain bad behavior brings, it will end in tragedy.  But if they are conscientious of the Law in what they do, they are promised peace and well-being.

In the gospel Jesus indicates that for his followers he is the Law.  They or, rather, we must judge our actions as good or bad to the extent that they approximate Jesus’ ways.  This kind of comparison may seem like a losing proposition.  However, when we fail, we can turn again to Jesus who is always willing to forgive and help start over again.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Ash Wednesday

(Joel 2:12-18; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6.16-18)

At the beginning of the first “Rocky” movie, the protagonist is completely out of shape.  As he begins training for his big fight, he strains to run up a flight of stairs.  Later in the movie, however, after weeks of training Rocky bounds up the stairs like a deer being chased.  A transformation has taken place.  Rocky has sloughed off both weight and lethargy to perform in a totally superior way.  Such a transformation is our goal during Lent.

Although it may improve our looks, shedding a few pounds should not be what motivates us to give up sweets for six weeks.  If it were, we would be no better than the hypocrites whose righteousness Jesus tells us to supersede in today’s gospel.  No, we must concern ourselves primarily with internal order not external appearance.  Through fasting, prayer, and charity we hope to become like Jesus himself.  His self-control and compassion are the high stars in heaven to which we hope to come near.

It is only natural that we begin Lent with a touch of regret.  It is hard to forsake comforts and concentrate our minds on what is holy.  But our reluctance will turn into rejoicing at the end of the forty days.  Then we will find ourselves renewed in soul and body.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

(James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21)

Two little girls who had just made their First Communion were talking to one another.  One asked the other what gifts she received on the day of glory.  The second, more attuned to what “Communion” means responded, “wasn’t Jesus enough?”

Jesus’ disciples in today’s gospel suffer from the same myopia as the girl who thinks about First Communion as an opportunity to receive presents.  They worry that they have no bread when they have in their midst the “Bread of Life.” If they but open their hearts to Jesus, they would no longer need to worry about anything.

Jesus warns his followers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.  This leaven – pride and hardness of heart – can puff up one’s face so that the eyes do not see what is manifest.  We must take notice.  Lent is upon us.  It is the choice time to knock down our pride with confession of sins and to help the poor with their needs.