FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Genesis 9:8-15: God’s covenant with Noah after He had saved him from the waters of the flood.

II Reading: 1Peter 3:18-22: That water is a type of the Baptism which saves you now.

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15: Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.

The Spirit that descended with dove-like gentleness at our Lord’s baptism now thrusts him out into the wilderness to do battle with the forces of evil. Mark gives no details of the Temptation (for which see Luke 4:1-13). The number “forty” recalls the years of Israel’s wanderings and Elijah’s experience in the wilderness (1Kings 19:8). There is also the first mention in Mark of kingdom and repentance. The former suggests not only a community, but also the royal rule; repentance is not just regret for an action, but from the two components of the Greek word, a change of heart or mind.

The readings of today are meant to help us understand the importance of our Baptism-covenant and to live up in accordance with it.

1.    The covenant between God and Noah

2.    The covenant between God and Abraham

3.    The covenant between God and the people of Israel (through Moses)

4.    Were the two parties faithful to the agreements?

a.    God was always faithful, but not man/woman

5.    God promised to establish a new covenant

6.    When was this new covenant established?

The Last Supper=Jesus instituted “The Holy Eucharist” “Take and eat this is my body, which will be given for you” (Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:20). “Drink all of you from this: this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant: it is going to be shed for you and for all

men, for their sins to be forgiven.” (Mt 26:18; Mk 14:24; Lk 22:20). This new covenant will last forever. Every person that comes into the world is invited to sign it. God is so generous to his promises. This is what He offers: forgiveness of sin, the life in the spirit and a new promised land, heaven.

7.    We sign our covenant with God at Baptism:

In the seconding of today, Peter calls Baptism “a pledge made to God” (1Pet 3:21). At Baptism, we are given a new life, the life in the Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Spirit makes us members of the New People of Israel which the Church and makes us members of a single body which is Christ (1Cor 12:12-13).

8.    Lent is a time to renew our covenant with God:

God has been faithful to His Covenant; let us be faithful to God during this Lent. This what Jesus preached, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the Good News” (Mt 1:15).

Jesus Christ and His Temptation: Dealing with Temptation, 1:12-13

 The importance of understanding. The believer faces temptation every day of his life. For this reason, he/she needs to gain a thorough understanding of just what temptation is and how it is to be overcome (Mt 4:1-11).

1.    Temptation follows a person’s decision (v.12)

2.    Temptation is used by the Spirit (v.12)

3.    Temptation is a desert or wilderness experience (v.13)

4.    Temptation is of Satan (v.13)

5.    Temptation is met by God’s help (v.13)

Jesus Christ and His Message: The Good News of God, 1: 14-15

The Good News of the Gospel includes three emphatic points.

1.    Jesus preached the Good News of God (v.14)

a.    In Galilee

b.    After John was put in prison

2.    The time has come (v.15)

3.    The kingdom of God is near (v.15)

4.    Repent and believe the Good News (v.15)

Thought: The armor of God is the glorious provision God provides for the believer’s victory over temptation (Eph 6:10-20).

Lent is the time to check up where we stand in our covenant with God. Jesus himself invites us to do so in today’s Gospel. We must repent for our sins and believe the Good News in accordance with the Gospel he preached.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com