The Time of Fulfilment is Now!

Homily For The First Sunday Of Lent, Year B, February 18, 2024

Sunday Readings

“The Spirit drags Jesus into the desert since he wanted to draw the devil there, and Jesus gave occasion to him not only on account of His hunger but also on account of the place: For then most especially does the devil attack when he sees people isolated and by themselves.”–St. John Chrysostom

My Dearest Friends in Christ,

Today is the first Sunday of Lent and the 4th day of our Lenten journey. Lent is a special time that affords us the opportunity for interior renewal of life: a period to detach from the worldly and attach to the spiritual, a time of self-re-examination and repentance, a time to solidify our resolutions by acquiring more grace to sustain them. These we can achieve, through prayer, fasting/abstinence, and almsgiving/self-control.

The readings of today have a direct and indirect reference to Baptism, symbolizing the renewal and cleansing power of God that qualifies us as children of God and heirs to the kingdom of Heaven. This is the heart of the Paschal Mystery. Lent is that special time we prepare for this renewal through the Paschal Mystery we celebrate.

God’s Covenant with Noah and The Cleansing Power of The Waters of Baptism

The first reading speaks of God’s covenant with Noah after the Great Deluge. This is God’s first covenant in which He promises a perpetual providential relationship with the created order. God will never destroy the earth again with a flood. This sounds hopeful and consoling, but why then, are we destroying God’s created order? This is the time to turn away from any form of activity that does not promote life here on Earth. Let us unite with God as co-workers in maintaining peace on Earth.

The narrative of the Great Deluge in the book of Genesis was intended to remind us of our present covenant with God at our Baptism and to reinforce our commitment to it. The waters of the Great Deluge symbolize the cleansing water of Baptism in which we all participate. May that interior cleansing renew our life in this Lenten Season as we purify ourselves from all stains of sin and corruption.

The Waters of Baptism is a Symbols of Salvation to All

The second reading from the Letter of St. Peter was written to strengthen the faith of persecuted Christians. We too are persecuted in one way or the other, so this reading serves to bolster our faith too. Peter reminds us all of our place in the larger history of God’s Providence to help us see our present sufferings in a larger context. He says an outward sign of the covenant that God made with his people through Jesus is Baptism. Baptism not only removes Original Sin but is also our birth into Christ. Peter points out that the waters of the Flood are an antitype of the waters in Baptism. The floodwaters destroyed all the people except Noah’s family. The waters of Baptism on the other hand are the cleansing agent that saves all.

The Lenten Season is a Time to Declare War Over Sin and Evil

Unlike Mathew and Luke, who gave a detailed account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert during the 40 days of fasting and prayer following His Baptism, Mark in today’s gospel gives us a brief account of this Temptation in the Desert. The desert was the place where ancient Israel in Moses’ time was tested for 40 years. The 40 days of Jesus’ fasting may also recall the 40-day fasts undertaken by Moses (Dt 9:18) and Elijah (1 Kg 19:8). Mark does not mention that Christ fasted for the 40 days and nights, but the “desert” seems to imply this. Nor does Mark specify the various “temptations” as Matthew and Luke do. The temptations described by Matthew and Luke and hinted at by Mark, refer probably to the main temptation Jesus faced during his public life. Namely, the temptation to become a political messiah of power and fame (according to the Jewish expectation) and to use His Divine Power for personal comfort, and to avoid suffering and death.

The temptations in the life of Jesus came at a time when He was most vulnerable to fall. It came at a time when He was to prepare for a great mission. The devil is a great timer. He knows when you are weak and likely to fall. He knows when you are preparing to achieve something great or beginning a great mission of accomplishment. We are not immune to temptations, if Jesus was tempted then we too must be put to the test. The assurance is this, God will never allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. However, He will permit us to be tempted. Why?
St. John Chrysostom gives us the following reasons:

1 So that you may learn that you have become much stronger. 2. that you may remain temperate and not over-excited by the greatness of your gifts, for temptations have the power to humble you;

3. So that the evil one, by inquiring through the torture of temptations, might be certain that you have completely forsaken him;

4. So that you might become stronger and hard as steel; 5. So that you might through this receive clear proof of the treasures entrusted to you. For the devil would not come upon you if he did not see you brought to greater honor.

According to Thomas A. Kempis: “When a person of goodwill is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, they realize clearly that their greatest need is God, without whom they can do no good. Many people try to escape temptations, only to fall more deeply. The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God. Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.”

Lent is the time we declare war on sin and build up sufficient grace to overcome the temptations that come to us daily. Be firm and resolute in this battle. Don’t give the devil the chance to pull you down. If our Lord overcomes, He will give you the grace to also be victorious.

Jesus reminds us today: ” The time has been fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Gospel.” This message summarizes the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. In it, Jesus is not asking us to do or not to do something to shape our future in Heaven. He is concerned with the here and now. Repentance (metanoia) is a change of mind and heart, a lifelong process of transformation.

Let us in this period of Lent, make a firm resolution to live a life worthy of our calling as God’s children. Let us make reparation for our sins through penance and prayer to grow in Christian maturity.

Be Reminded of These:

a) To participate in the Mass each day or at least a few days in the week;
b) setting aside some part of our day for personal prayer;
c) reading some Scripture, alone or, better still, with others;
d) setting aside some money that we might spend on ourselves for meals, entertainment, or clothes and giving it to the poor;
e) abstaining from meat, smoking, alcohol, or other pleasures;
f) receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and participating in the “Stations of the Cross” on Fridays or any day set aside by your Parish;
g) visiting the sick and those in nursing homes and doing some acts of charity, kindness, and mercy every day in Lent.

He suffered and died to set us free. He came to cleanse us from sin. This is the time of grace, let us repent and believe in the Gospel.