First Sunday of Lent: February 18, 2024
Readings: Genesis 9:8–15; Psalm 25:4–9; 1 Peter 3:18–22; Mark 1:12–15
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/g5KXVohNn8U?si=fOwUgJocjGijWOJu
We are, already, in the Season of Lent. Every liturgical season like Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter brings something unique to us so that we can delve deeper into the mystery of Christian life. This enables us to meditate, contemplate, and rethink about ourselves and the significance of the person of Jesus Christ to each one of us. Every spiritual aspect that we delve into has a significant meaning to our faith life. It might give us some insight into where we are and where we are going. It might also help us to choose the path that we want to take. As we delve deeper into the mystery of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, during this season of Lent, perhaps we can make a commitment that enables us to be a better human person. Thus the humanity within us really opens itself for the good of all. Let us see now how the liturgical readings for this Sunday open to us.
1. Ultimate promise of God and our stewardship
Genesis 9:8–15 recounts the covenant that God established with Noah and all living creatures after the flood. The covenant in this passage underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His creation. Despite the chaos and destruction of the flood, God remains committed to His people and the entire Earth. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of life's storms, God's faithfulness endures. It prompts us to reflect on the constancy of God's love and promises in our own lives, instilling a sense of trust and reliance on the Divine.
As part of the covenant, God entrusts humans with the responsibility of caring for the Earth and its creatures. This underscores the concept of stewardship, emphasizing our role as caretakers of God's creation. A spiritual reflection on this aspect of the passage challenges us to consider our ecological footprint and how we can contribute to the well-being of the planet, aligning our actions with God's desire for harmony and balance. The covenant made in Genesis 9:8–15 assures us of God's enduring promises. In our own lives, we may face challenges, uncertainties, and floods of various kinds. Yet, this passage encourages us to trust in the constancy of God's promises. It prompts reflection on the ways in which we can anchor our faith in the unchanging nature of God, finding hope and reassurance in the face of life's uncertainties.
2. Christ's Sacrifice and Redemption has an eternal meaning
1 Peter 3:18–22 explores profound spiritual truths regarding Christ's redemptive work, baptism, and the transformative power of faith. The passage emphasizes that Christ suffered for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. This underscores the central theme of Christian spirituality – the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This aspect encourages a deep appreciation for the sacrificial love of Christ and the profound impact it has on our lives. It prompts gratitude for the forgiveness and reconciliation made possible through His atoning sacrifice.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central theme in Christianity, and 1 Peter 3:18–22 alludes to this by portraying Christ as having gone into heaven and being at the right hand of God. The words of St Peter encourage a life characterized by hope, victory over sin, and a deep awareness of the transformative power available through a relationship with the risen Christ.
3. The Wilderness Experience all have to go through
The Gospel Mark 1:12–15 recounts the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, including His temptation in the wilderness and the proclamation of the kingdom of God. St Mark's Gospel, the shortest of all, is quick in narrating a number of Christ's earthly deeds in a very short form. Jesus' time in the wilderness is a metaphor applied to all of us and it challenges and tests that believers may encounter in their faith journey. The wilderness symbolizes a place of solitude, struggle, and temptation. Reflecting on this, individuals can find encouragement in knowing that even Jesus faced trials, and His victory over temptation demonstrates the possibility of overcoming challenges through faith and reliance on God.
Jesus begins His public ministry with a call to repentance, declaring, "The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" This proclamation underscores the urgency of turning away from sin and embracing a transformed life in light of the imminent arrival of God's kingdom. Lent is a call to assess their own lives, fostering a commitment to ongoing repentance and a deeper relationship with God. It sets us to reflect on how we shape our priorities, values, and actions. It invites us for contemplation of what it means to live under the authority of God and to participate in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The gospels shape our lives. It inspires a deeper trust in God's promises, a reliance on His grace, and a commitment to living out the implications of the good news in daily life.
Questions for self-reflection
- Am I Willing to Face the Wilderness of Temptation in my Spiritual Journey?
- Is My Faith Deepening, and Am I Truly Embracing the Good News?
- What Practical Steps Can I Take to Live Out Repentance and Belief Daily?
Prayer based on Psalm 25
Gracious and merciful God, in the quiet moments of reflection, I lift my soul to You, seeking Your guidance and wisdom. Teach me, O Lord, to walk in Your ways and to trust in Your unfailing love. Open my heart to receive Your instructions and lead me on paths of righteousness. Forgive my shortcomings, and let Your compassion and grace surround me. Show me Your ways, O Lord, and guide me in Your truth. Illuminate the path of righteousness that I may follow diligently, keeping my eyes fixed on You.
In moments of uncertainty, be my guide; in times of confusion, be my clarity. Uphold me with Your mercy and grant me the strength to live a life that honors You. May Your name be glorified through my thoughts, words, and deeds. I place my trust in You, knowing that You are the God of salvation. May Your goodness and love accompany me all the days of my life, and may I dwell in Your presence forever. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
16th February 2024
3 comments:
Beautiful, insightful and unique reflections dear Father. I'm taken up by the way you brought out the significance of the Sunday's liturgical readings. I'm ever grateful for helping us delve deep into the mystery of Christ, passion, death and Resurrection through your thought provoking informative reflections.
Very nice reflections dear Father. Well spoken words from the scripture. You are my best mentor and teacher. Thank you for guiding me through your reflections.
Dear Fr Olvin, thank you for the deep insights you share each time. May the Lord bless your mission.
With prayerful support,
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