First Sunday of Lent Year C
Theme: Steadfastness in faith
In the 1st reading from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses leads the chosen people of God to make a profession of Faith. By so doing acknowledging the wonderful deeds of God in their lives, through the love he showed their fathers and themselves. The Lord does not desert his people, whenever we retrace our steps and return back to him, he forgives us our sins and welcomes us back home like the prodigal son. This is clearly seen in his relationship with the Israelites. He was always willing to forgive them whenever they become remorseful and return back to him. In the same way, the Lord is waiting for us to retrace our steps and return back to him and he will gladly receive us and show us the depth of his love for us. Now is the time to be remorseful and return back to God; he is waiting patiently to receive you, no matter the sins you may have committed.
In the 2nd reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are reminded about the fact that our faith in God must reflect in both our actions and our word. If there is harmony between the word of God that we preach and our actions, then we can be rest assured that we are on the right path to salvation. The true test of our discipleship is seen in our ability to harmonize both of them. It is easier to preach one thing and do the opposite in our daily life. That is why my brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to key into the mercy and grace of God that abounds during this season of Lent; and retrace our steps in faith and return back to God, who is waiting patiently to welcome us back.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, steadfast in faith is a necessity in our call to discipleship. With faith in God, everything is possible. We see faith at its best in the gospel reading of today, when Jesus overcame the temptation of the devil, using the word of God to counter the all the temptations of the devil. In the same way, we are all encouraged to trust in God in the difficult moments of our life; because that is when God is nearest to us. He will never forsake all those who have faith in him at such moments; he will come to our rescue and grant us victory. Simply put, our faith in God will never disappoint us, no matter the situation we find ourselves.
May God grant us steadfastness in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.