February 14, 2016
1st Sunday of Lent
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus moves from the Jordan River into the desert – an inhospitable wilderness called: “The Devastation.†Like the Hebrew people long ago Jesus is tested in the desert. Here, Jesus is tempted by the devil, the deceiver. He eats nothing but is nourished by the Word of God. Satan beguiles Jesus as the “Beloved Son†to question his fidelity to God; tries to compromise his mission to inaugurate the Kingdom of God; and attempts to trip him up on the path that may lead to the cross. Although the temptations appear far removed from our circumstances and poor ability, they have relevance for us. Have I forgotten that I am a child of God and beloved? Have I been faithful to my baptismal promises to inaugurate the kingdom of God? How do I deal with suffering and fear of death? Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving/charity make us aware of our shortcomings, of God’s mercy and of our responsibility to others. Pope Francis offers good guidance for our “40 Days†in the desert: “In an ever-new miracle, Divine Mercy shines forth in our lives, inspiring each of us to love our neighbor and to devote ourselves to what the Church’s Tradition calls the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy. These works remind us that faith finds expression in concrete, everyday actions meant to help our neighbors in body and spirit: by feeding, visiting, comforting and instructing them.†Lent is so much more than giving up chocolate!
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5th Sunday Ordinary Time
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2nd Sunday of Lent
