“WARM WITH GOD’S LOVE”
Lenten Reflections
18thFebruary 2018.
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SUNDAY, FIRST WEEK OF LENT
Reading 1:Gen 9:8-15 After saving Noah and his family from the flood, God establishes a new friendship-agreement (covenant) with him. The rainbow is a constant reminder of that covenant.
Res. Psalm:Ps 24:4-9 “Your ways, Lord are faithfulness and love for those who keep your covenant”.
Reading 2:1 Pet 3:18-22St Peter says that the waters of the flood of Noah’s time were a type of the waters of our Baptism by which we are saved.
Gospel: Mt 1:12-15After being baptised by John the Baptist, Jesus spent forty days in the desert. While there he was tempted by Satan. Mark gives a brief account of Jesus’ temptations and the beginning of his preaching.
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WASHED CLEAN WITH THE WATERS!
There is a story about a man who had an apple tree in his garden. He loved apples and believed that he could not live without them. However, while the tree never failed to supply him with apples, apples which tasted good, there was definitely something lacking in their quality. One essential thing was missing — there was no nourishment in them. He consulted a friend who was an expert on apple trees. The expert took a look at the tree. He pointed out some obvious deficiencies in it. It needed to be sprayed, for its branches were encrusted with moss. The branches needed pruning. It could do with having the earth around it dug up and fertilized. Our friend listened well and acted on the expert's recommendations.
Yet the following autumn the apples, though slightly more plentiful, were no more nourishing. The quality remained unchanged. Our friend was very disappointed. Once more he consulted the expert: “What more can I do?” he moaned. “You’re wasting your time”, the expert answered. “What do you mean?” “Obviously the only thing to do is cut the tree down and plant a new one in its place”. “But what will I do in the meantime for apples?” “You’ll have to do without them, won’t you?” came the answer. The man was faced with a radical decision: to go on making do with the unsatisfactory apples, or to plant a new tree and wait for the new apples. Today’s liturgy asks the question: Are you prepared to go to lengths in order to have a new and wholesome life?
Today’s first reading from Genesis proposes that God does not give up in the face of evil. He intervenes to repair and rebuild. He initiates a new humanity to whom he promises only good things and ensures a blessing: “I establish my covenant with you, and with every living animal with you … never again will life be cut off by the waters of a flood” (Gen 9:9-11).This is the consoling message, God does not wait for people to become good to be generous with them. God transforms them into a new creature.
Peter in the second reading picks up the story of the flood and uses it to explain the effects of baptism. Noah was saved from the flood waters by means of the ark that God told him to build and with him his family and the animals were also saved, so that the creation, free from sin, could start over. The water of baptism in the same way destroys the old man and gives birth to a new man; it marks the end of sin, of corrupt life and starts a new life in the Spirit.
In the Gospel, Jesus stayed in the desert forty days and was tempted by Satan”. Jesus met wild animals, and many angels on his way. The wild animals Jesus confronted during his lifetime are the rulers of this world: the holders of power: political, economic and religious (the Sadducees, the Sanhedrin, the high priests), spiritual leaders who preached God to be an executioner and an enemy of sinners (the Pharisees).Angels who took care of him were certainly his parents, people who assisted him during his public life, those who shared the values proposed by him and the choices he made, who stayed at his side—“served” him—collaborating in his work of salvation. The biblical language and imagery, means to say that the whole life of Jesus, was a dramatic confrontation between him and the tempter.
Temptation in life is real. It’s the result of our fallen human nature. It comes from our weakness but also from the evil one. Jesus never gave in to the temptations in the desert, nor did He give in to temptations at any other time in His life. But He endured them and suffered them. This tells us that He can be our strength and inspiration in the midst of whatever we are tempted with each and every day. Some days we may feel the loneliness and isolation of one who is driven into the desert of our sins. We may feel as though the wild beasts of our disordered passions are getting the best of us. We may feel as though the evil one is having his way with us. Well, Jesus felt this way, also. And He freely allowed Himself to experience this in His humanity. For these reasons, it is Jesus Himself who is able to meet us in our desert. He is there, waiting for us, looking for us, calling to us. It is He, the One who defeated this desert temptation, who will gently guide you out. So whether your “desert” is only a slight agitation in life right now, or if it’s a struggle against complete despair, Jesus wants to meet you and bring you out. He conquered the desert once and for all and He is able to conquer any desert in your life, also.
Lent is the time to die to the world. Jesus says in today's Gospel, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." If your baptismal vows are to be relevant and fruitful, then we must take the words of Jesus to heart. Be reconciled with others with whom you are at odds. Strive for greater intimacy and union with God by fervent prayer. Make a sincere resolution to do battle with sin, especially your favorites. Scrutinize yourself for the last vestiges of self-love. Dare to stand up for Catholic values before others.
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge Your perfect love for me. I believe that You love me enough to endure all suffering, to understand all suffering. May I encounter you in the desert of my own soul. May I allow You to lead me to the cool and refreshing waters. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Lenten Act: Look around at creation. All creation is God smiling back at you. Remind yourself, however great your sin, God is waiting with arms wide opened, to welcome you back. The time has come, the kingdom of God is close at hand: Repent and believe the Good News (Mk 1: 14-15).