First Sunday of Lent: B: February 18, 2024

      JESUS' CALL TO REPENTANCE

First Reading: Genesis 9: 8-15

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3: 18-22

Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 12-15

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. A description of the floods that took place at the time of Noah is given. After the floods, the Lord God makes a covenant with Noah and promises that there will never again be such a deluge. The Lord God's pact with Noah and his sons tells us about His unfailing fidelity and benevolence towards humankind. The appearance of the rainbow is mentioned as sign of the covenant between the Lord God and humankind. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Peter. The flood waters at the time of Noah and the waters of baptism are compared. St. Peter tells us that the waters of flood during the time of Noah symbolizes the waters of our baptism by which we are saved. As Noah and his family were saved, it is through our baptism that we are saved and we enter into a new covenant and a new relationship with God. Peter exhorts all of us to live according to the Christian faith, no matter what trials we have to endure because of it. 

The temptations of Jesus                                                                   Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A brief narration of the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness is given. Jesus goes through a time of serious reflections and faces many challenges during those days in the desert before starting His public life. We know from past experiences that athletes prepare themselves for long duration before an important event. Similarly, professionals and artists rehearse painstakingly for long hours. Before starting His public ministry, Jesus goes to the desert to prepare Himself for the task entrusted to Him by the heavenly Father.  St. Mark narrates Jesus' going into the desert to combat the devil and concludes the narrative with His victorious emergence. Jesus emerges from His forty days of fasting and prayer and prepares Himself for the ultimate victory over Satan and evil powers. As we enter the holy season of Lent, like Jesus, we need to renew ourselves spiritually by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. In a sense, we too go into the desert with Jesus. We are urged to keep in mind the last verse of today's Gospel throughout Lent: "Repent and believe in the Gospel." -Mark 1:15

"Lent comes providentially to reawaken us to shake us from our lethargy." - Pope Francis

"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst... Repent and believe... Jesus tells us." - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

" Lent is a time to renew wherever we are in that process, that I call divine therapy." - Thomas Keating

(Please note: "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Joy Joseph svd"  is available on YouTube for the First Sunday of Lent: B)