1st Sunday of Lent Year B
Genesis 9:8-15 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15
Theme: Newness of Life
The three readings we have on this first Sunday of Lent point out the newness of life that the coming of Christ and God’s love for his people has brought to humanity. In the first reading from the Book of Genesis, after God had destroyed the world with flood because of sin, he is starting afresh with Noah and all that was preserved in the Ark. It was a new beginning, and God entered a covenant with humanity. A covenant that will bring forth newness of life and the fulfilment of God’s desired plan for his people. Just like every other covenant that God has made with his people; he is ever faithful to his covenant. A very important question we need to ask ourselves today is: are we equally faithful to the covenant we have entered with God; especially during the reception of the Sacraments? The season of Lent presents us the opportunity to retrace our steps and do the needful in our lives.
The practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving during this season of lent is a move towards the right direction, as we embrace God’s call to repentance in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and was tempted by Satan and he came out victorious. It is taking for granted that Jesus went to the wilderness to commune with his heavenly Father. In the same way, make the forty days of lent a prayerful one for you and your loved ones. It is a season of God’s grace and an opportunity for us to embrace the newness of life that God is presenting to us during this season of lent. It is a life that will draw us closer to God and grant us the grace to be true signs of God’s presence among his people. There may be challenges on our way, just like Jesus in the wilderness with Satan, but we must remain steadfast if we want to be victorious like Jesus. He says my grace is sufficient for you; he is ever faithful to his word because faithfulness is in his nature.
In the second reading from 1 Peter, it points out the fact that Christ died for sinful humanity that he might reconcile us with God. Through baptism we are given a new life in Christ that empowers and strengthens us to be true children of God. Dear friends in Christ, let us embrace the invitation presented to us on this first Sunday of Lent to embrace newness of life. A call that challenges us to live a life that glorifies God in all that we do. Humanly speaking, it may sound impossible, but with God everything is possible. Let us do our best and allow God to complete the good work he has started in our lives. May God grant us the grace to have a fruitful Lenten season, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you!