Meditation: Genesis 9:(v) 8 God spoke to Noach and his sons with him; he said, 9 “As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God added, “Here is the sign of the covenant I am making between myself and you and every living creature with you, for all generations to come: 13 I am putting my rainbow in the cloud — it will be there as a sign of the covenant between myself and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow is seen in the cloud; 15 I will remember my covenant which is between myself and you and every living creature of any kind; and the water will never again become a flood to destroy all living beings.
1st Sunday of Lent
I will establish my covenant with you. (Genesis 9:11)
The story of Noah and the Great Flood assures us that destruction is never God’s final word. Whatever “death” we experience—whatever “death” he brings into our lives—is always followed by the promise of new life. Or as many motivational speakers would tell us, there’s always a rainbow after every storm.
This is a good thing to keep in mind as we celebrate the first Sunday in Lent. It’s helpful to recall that the culmination of these forty days is not Good Friday; it’s Easter. Yes, God asks us to die to ourselves and resist temptation. But he is asking this so that we can clearout more space in our hearts for him and for his grace. The discipline and self-sacrifice we take up during Lent are not ends in themselves. They are not here so that we can prove our strength or increase our skills. Rather, we take them on so that we can become more fully alive in Christ, more able to reveal his love to the people around us.
Are you still trying to decide what to give up for Lent? Try answering that question by looking at this season as a journey of love. What is hindering you from loving more fully? Perhaps gossip, overwork, dwelling on resentments, or self-isolation? Find a way to give them up, or at least reduce their influence. Try to find life-giving substitutes for them. Take a walk with a friend. Stop in and visit the Blessed Sacrament between errands. Make it a point to find something upbuilding to say in every conversation. Whatever you choose, ask the Holy Spirit to work creatively with you.
This Lent, keep your eyes on the prize: new life in Christ. It’s a life that begins right now, every time you receive or give love. It’s a life that springs up from every kind of death to self you embrace. It’s a life that will lead you to the final prize: eternal life with Jesus.
“Here I am, Lord. I’m ready to journey with you toward Easter.” Amen!
Psalm 25:4 Make me know your ways, Adonai,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember your compassion and grace, Adonai;
for these are ages old.
7 Don’t remember my youthful sins or transgressions;
but remember me according to your grace
for the sake of your goodness, Adonai.
8 Adonai is good, and he is fair;
this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],
9 leads the humble to do what is right
and teaches the humble [to live] his way.
1 Peter 3:18 For the Messiah himself died for sins, once and for all, a righteous person on behalf of unrighteous people, so that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but brought to life by the Spirit; 19 and in this form he went and made a proclamation to the imprisoned spirits, 20 to those who were disobedient long ago, in the days of Noach, when God waited patiently during the building of the ark, in which a few people — to be specific, eight — were delivered by means of water. 21 This also prefigures what delivers us now, the water of immersion, which is not the removal of dirt from the body, but one’s pledge to keep a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. 22 He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,[a] with angels, authorities and powers subject to him.[Footnotes:
1 Peter 3:22 Psalm 110:1]
Mark 1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Adversary. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
14 After Yochanan had been arrested, Yeshua came into the Galil proclaiming the Good News from God:
15 “The time has come,
God’s Kingdom is near!
Turn to God from your sins
and believe the Good News!”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
[Genesis 9:(v) 8 God spoke to Noach and his sons with him; he said, 9 “As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God added, “Here is the sign of the covenant I am making between myself and you and every living creature with you, for all generations to come: 13 I am putting my rainbow in the cloud — it will be there as a sign of the covenant between myself and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow is seen in the cloud; 15 I will remember my covenant which is between myself and you and every living creature of any kind; and the water will never again become a flood to destroy all living beings.
Psalm 25:4 Make me know your ways, Adonai,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me;
for you are the God who saves me,
my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember your compassion and grace, Adonai;
for these are ages old.
7 Don’t remember my youthful sins or transgressions;
but remember me according to your grace
for the sake of your goodness, Adonai.
8 Adonai is good, and he is fair;
this is why he teaches sinners the way [to live],
9 leads the humble to do what is right
and teaches the humble [to live] his way.
1 Peter 3:18 For the Messiah himself died for sins, once and for all, a righteous person on behalf of unrighteous people, so that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but brought to life by the Spirit; 19 and in this form he went and made a proclamation to the imprisoned spirits, 20 to those who were disobedient long ago, in the days of Noach, when God waited patiently during the building of the ark, in which a few people — to be specific, eight — were delivered by means of water. 21 This also prefigures what delivers us now, the water of immersion, which is not the removal of dirt from the body, but one’s pledge to keep a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. 22 He has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God,[a] with angels, authorities and powers subject to him.[Footnotes:
1 Peter 3:22 Psalm 110:1]
Mark 1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Adversary. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
14 After Yochanan had been arrested, Yeshua came into the Galil proclaiming the Good News from God:
15 “The time has come,
God’s Kingdom is near!
Turn to God from your sins
and believe the Good News!”]
1. In the first reading, the story of God's covenant promises to Noah reminds us that during Lent we celebrate the new Covenant that God has made with each of us through the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. What are some parallels between God’s covenant with Noah and his New Covenant with us? What are some differences?
2. In the responsorial psalm, the psalmist reminds us of God’s compassion, love, kindness, and goodness toward each of us. Why are these characteristics of God so important to keep in mind during this grace-filled season of Lent?
3. The second reading reminds us that Lent is a period of confidence and trust in God because of what Jesus did for us through his passion, death, and resurrection. We should be encouraged by the thought that our Lord Jesus Christ “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God." Everything we have comes from him, including our talents, and even our strength to persevere no matter what the circumstances. How often do you turn to the Lord during the day when faced with difficulties? What steps can you take to turn to the Lord more often each day during Lent?
4. The Gospel scene is the temptation in the desert, which opens the public life of Jesus. This reading in Mark declares, in just a few words, the great change in our lives that Christ introduced into the world. Unlike Adam, who fell, Christ triumphs over the power of Satan and then begins to proclaim the “gospel of God” with these words: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” This Gospel message heralds the possibility of our victory over Satan and temptation. Do you believe that in Christ, you too have the power to resist and/or overcome temptation? Why or why not? What concrete steps can you take during the day to help you in resisting and/or overcoming temptation?
5. We know that the graces we experience in the Sacrament of Reconciliation include not only the forgiveness of our sins, but also the power to overcome temptations. In what ways, through this sacrament, have you experienced not only forgiveness, but also the strengthening of your relationship with Jesus and the grace and power to overcome temptations and sin patterns in your life?
6. The meditation takes an unusual approach in suggesting some things we can “give up for Lent,” and what we can substitute in their place. Which of the ones suggested do you feel led to commit to during Lent?
7. The meditation also reminds us that Lent is a time to “keep your eyes on the prize: new life in Christ.” What does it mean for you to experience “new life in Christ” during Lent?
8. Take some time now to pray that you would experience all the graces Jesus wants to pour out on your journey toward Easter and new life in Christ. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Here I am, Lord. I’m ready to journey with you toward Easter.” Amen!
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