1st Sunday of Lent 2021, February 21, 2021
The Word (Source: Mark 1.12-15)
The Temptation of Jesus. [Jesus was baptized by John at the river Jordan.]
12 At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,
13 and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry.
14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
A REFLECTION
Perhaps there are three keywords for this week’s reflection and prayer: Listen – Repent — Gospel = Good News (the meaning from old English). Consider these three for a few moments:
Listen – how well the picture captures the intense attitude of those with Jesus; that will be the first grace we will pray for – to listen –
Repent – to be sorrowful for evil/sin done and to ask for forgiveness.
Gospel – hearing Good News, can we live it and share it with others. The good news – the gospel – is that the Father loves us in Jesus; the One who would come among us and die for us and be raised in glory. By reading the Gospel each day of the Lenten season and reflecting even for a few moments on this testimony to Jesus we can ask for grace to know and love and to follow the lifestyle of Jesus. This is a grace that is in the Ignatian spirit as one contemplates the Gospels.
MY PRAYER
As we move to this time of personal prayer, I quiet myself – recalling who I am and where I am. I recall that I am always in God’s presence — and that God in Jesus is always with me. I offer a prayer of thanks for God’s grace that has touched my life in so many ways. I pray to the Lord for the grace that I need, that I desire, at this moment.
Lord, I want to listen – help clear my mind my thoughts for this short time – Keep me still so I can better listen to Jesus your Son – Grant me the grace to be moved by his words, to act in accord with directions.
Lord, help me to see my true self, especially my sins and shortcomings – give to me the grace to change and to live by your grace that my life may be a blessing – not a curse – to my family and those who share my life and even those beyond my close circle.
Lord, help me to live the lifestyle of your son, Jesus. I too am your daughter, your son, bless me with the spirit of Jesus – what I think, what I say, what I do. I desire to live in his style – for others – bringing to them the Good News.
I ask for the grace: to know, love, and to follow the lifestyle of Jesus –– compassion, generosity and forgiveness –
Father Bill Kreutz, SJ, Loyola House of Studies, Scripture from the New American Bible. Images from Google
