First Sunday of Lent

1st Sunday of Lent

In today’s responsorial psalm, we pray, “Teach me your paths,” we open ourselves to the full knowledge of divine compassion as we begin this Lenten season. We seek to understand God’s way in our entire being. We want to be moved to the same loving identification with others that moves God’s love for us.  In our sincere prayer to know God’s ways, we are praying for a conversion that will turn us from a focus on ourselves toward sharing God’s great love for every living creature.

As we learn in our reading from Genesis, a covenant is the deepest and most unique concept in the Hebrew religious tradition. A covenant is a free promise on God’s part. God’s offer is unilateral, it does not depend on humanity’s response. The essence of the covenant God established at the time of Noah is eternal compassion. “Never again!” will God repay humanity with what our wickedness earns.

Jesus emerged from the desert after being tempted by Satan with his own answer to the human quandary. He proclaimed, “This is a time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

As Lent begins, we are reminded that these forty days are a time to repent, return to the Gospel and recommit ourselves to our baptismal promises. I urge you to find sacred moments during the days ahead to reflect on your faith journey.

Have a blessed week!  Fr. Len