Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season. As millions of Catholics came forward for the imposition of ashes they heard “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” Today, this First Sunday of Lent we hear Jesus in the Gospel of Mark say: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
The readings for this First Sunday of Lent should evoke for us a remembrance of our Baptism—Noah and the flood-covenant, St. Peter’s referral to the meaning of this event, and the Gospel renewal of our Baptismal promise: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel…” The Season of Lent always begins with readings recalling baptism to remind us of the inception of our faith. Where we go after is up to us…
The Responsorial Psalm for today is a prayer of plan and method, a way and an attitude of fulfilling our baptismal promises. Psalm 25 is a petition to the Lord for this plan: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth…” The Psalm tells us that all the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy, that He guides the humble to justice. The friendship of God comes to those who fear Him and keep His covenant, to those who keep God’s ways. So, we raise our voices together in praise, believing what we sing and singing what we believe. In song we pray for those things he promises—and in life we lift our souls to the Lord for “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”
We have these Forty Days and Forty Nights to begin our own desert journey. We also have the assurance (the covenant, the promise) of the love and mercy of God even when we fail. St. Peter tells us today that our baptism is more than the removal of dirt from the body, it is “an appeal to God for a clean conscience.” This is the love and mercy of God: we strive to keep God’s ways, we follow the plan, and we rise to new life.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
The readings for this First Sunday of Lent should evoke for us a remembrance of our Baptism—Noah and the flood-covenant, St. Peter’s referral to the meaning of this event, and the Gospel renewal of our Baptismal promise: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel…” The Season of Lent always begins with readings recalling baptism to remind us of the inception of our faith. Where we go after is up to us…
The Responsorial Psalm for today is a prayer of plan and method, a way and an attitude of fulfilling our baptismal promises. Psalm 25 is a petition to the Lord for this plan: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth…” The Psalm tells us that all the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy, that He guides the humble to justice. The friendship of God comes to those who fear Him and keep His covenant, to those who keep God’s ways. So, we raise our voices together in praise, believing what we sing and singing what we believe. In song we pray for those things he promises—and in life we lift our souls to the Lord for “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand.”
We have these Forty Days and Forty Nights to begin our own desert journey. We also have the assurance (the covenant, the promise) of the love and mercy of God even when we fail. St. Peter tells us today that our baptism is more than the removal of dirt from the body, it is “an appeal to God for a clean conscience.” This is the love and mercy of God: we strive to keep God’s ways, we follow the plan, and we rise to new life.
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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