A Contrite and Humble Heart: A Roadmap for Lent

First Sunday of Lent: Cycle C - 06 March 2022

Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4–10; Psalm 91:1–2, 10–15; Romans 10:8–13; Luke 4:1–13

Temptation of Christ
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We might think that the times are not suitable for us. Therefore, it is not right for us to be part of history. The raging war in Ukraine and its destruction on its inhabitants and infrastructure is nothing but a sordid (dirty) truth of the reality that we are living in. We are helpless in this situation but to pray for peace so that the sense of good may prevail. Even though the global health crisis is still devastating the lives of people yet we have another man-made disaster called war in order to destroy the other, thus, I destroy myself. The truth of the matter is that God has His plans for humanity. On this First Sunday of Lent, the liturgical readings are inviting us to be sensible and simple. Because God listens to the cry of the oppressed. 

1. Choosing life and prosperity over death and doom

Lent is an invitation to return to the Lord, in other words, to return to our roots. For we are all God's beloved sons and daughters. None of us on this earth are perfect but always we try to achieve what Jesus calls us "to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). It is not that we become like God but in our imperfection, we try to become better people, better sons and daughters. We make our life possible in this imperfection. Therefore, Lent is a time to see those inadequacies, limitations and weaknesses which might not be allowing us to be something human and meet the standards of God. Only in God, we find our strength. In fact, we read in this week very powerful words of Moses from the book of Deuteronomy, "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God" (Dt 30:19). Hence choosing among life and prosperity, death and doom depends upon us. Lent indeed invites us to choose the best thing, to discern the right things for our lives. So that we may live with the Lord forever. 

The roadmap for Lent is getting ourselves into the image and likeness of God. It is to follow the demands and commands of the Lord with a gentle and sincere heart. Jesus himself provided a specific example of how we might effectively focus our mind & heart during our 40 days of Lent. In fact, towards the end of his life, Moses reminds his people Israelites how God accompanied them with His active presence throughout their history both in times of adversity and triumph. Therefore, to recognize this in our lives too during this special season is a grace in itself.  God has been there and walking in our personal and world history.  Often we forget this so easily in the rush of life and something that definitely deserves our attention.

2. God listens to the cries of the poor, oppressed and humble

The scripture says, that the Israelites "cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he heard our cry and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression" (Deuteronomy 26:7). In other words, God listens to the affliction, sees the oppression and toil and finally gives them what they deserve freedom, prosperity and a future. Perhaps Lent is the time to see what is afflicting me, oppressing me, subjugating me, making me to cry. If it comes from our human enemy, from within, then we need to call on to God. If it is destroying me from the outside forces then I must seek remedies to fix them. St John Chrysostom (347-407) said in one of his sermons “I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.”

To fix the above problems, we can seek help from our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus too was tempted by both inside and outside forces in his vulnerability. He too had to go through the struggles and temptations in his early stages of public ministry. The enemy here is Satan. But Jesus comes out successfully over his enemy because of his capacity to answer him in truth and realism. The enemy's best efforts were foiled by Jesus' straightforward answers and his effort to overcome the enemy. Jesus knew where to strike a balance and where to chase away the enemy. All this was possible because of Prayer. Jesus had that intimacy with God, which none could break. Speaking about prayer, Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar says “What you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God.”

3. Desert experiences strengthen one's faith

Jesus' desert experience for forty days was indeed spirit-filled (Luke 4:1–13). Jesus enters the desert after he heard the voice that he is the beloved Son of God. When he experienced acute physiological hunger, Jesus was tempted spiritually as well. Often it so happens that when you become spiritually strong devil tempts you quickly by disguising.  God's care gets doubted. Even though it may appear that these three temptations of Jesus to make stones into bread, to worship the devil by prostrating before him and to listen to the devil by throwing down from the parapet of the temple are the metaphors of how simple these temptations might look like. Moreover, these 40 days of Lent is a time of trial and purification, of temptation and cleansing. The weapon that Jesus uses to fight the devil is the Word of God.

We continue to be tempted to follow our ways of doing things than God's ways of doing. Temptation means forgetting what God has done in our lives, what good has been achieved by the grace of God. When we say no to God's mercy and compassion, to His promises and encounters, then I am led away by the devil. When gratitude is replaced by ingratitude, when kindness is replaced by revenge, when life is replaced by death, when humility is replaced by pride, when meekness is replaced by power, when peace is replaced by war, then it is a sign that the devil has entered into your life. 

Finally, the Lenten message and focus is here: “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8). Lent is a time to focus upon God's Word which we find in our precious Bible. For Jesus himself says “One does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4). Therefore contemplating on our loving God and spending time in His presence itself should be the joy of Lent. So let our response to God's unconditional love be how that love is translated every moment of our life.

Questions for reflections:

1. What kind of effective roadmap I would like to set for this the Holy Season of Lent?
2. What are the areas I would like to improve upon during this Lent?
3. What are my resolutions for this Lent?
4. Devil questions repeatedly Jesus' identity and calling. How do I respond when my identity is questioned? What might tempt me from my calling or vocation?

Prayer: 

Dear Heavenly Father, as we seek to draw closer to you throughout this season of Lent, open our hearts and minds to you.  Allow us to begin to grasp the enormity of your redeeming love. Help us to honestly evaluate how we are actually choosing to respond to our Lord and Savior’s calling.

Gracious Lord as we praise you, you strongly reinforce the unmistakable fact of your presence, specifically in the challenging moments of our lives.  You are indeed our fortress, the only one we can ALWAYS trust.  You have sent Your angels to impact us in all our ways.  May this Lent be of quietly spending time reflecting on Your presence, Your love, Your redeeming grace. Thus we may have a great Lenten experience. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. AMEN.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

March 04, 2021