Just as the Lord extends his mercy to the woman caught in adultery, Christ also offers his mercy to us when we acknowledge our sins and with humble honesty.
The parable of the Prodigal Son reveals the extraordinary love of the Father. This love extends to us, in our weaknesses and sins, reminding us to acknowledge our need for God’s grace in our lives today.
The Lord’s triumph over temptation heals the first sin of Adam and Eve, blazing a trail for us as we draw strength from Christ for perseverance and mercy.
We begin the season of Lent by acknowledging our sins and admitting our faults. Rather than blame others or hide from our shortcomings, we place ashes on our foreheads as a sign and confession that we need Jesus to receive forgiveness and mercy.
Here are some of the powerful themes that surface in the 1st Sunday of Lent.
1st Reading – Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7
God breathes life into the man who is formed from the clay.
In the garden in Eden, God plants many trees, including the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and she and Adam eat it.
Psalm – 51:3-6,12-13,17
“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
Acknowledging our sins, we call upon the Lord for mercy and ask for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit.
2nd Reading – Romans 5:12-19
Through the transgression of one man (Adam) condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act (Jesus) acquittal and life came to all.
Through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one (Jesus), the many will be made righteous.
Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasts for forty days and nights and is then tempted by the devil.
The first temptation: command stones to become bread. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 8:3.
The second temptation: jump off the parapet of the temple. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:16.
The third temptation: worship Satan and receive the kingdoms of the world. Jesus rejects this, citing Deuteronomy 6:13.
The pity of Jesus in the presence of a leper reveals the Lord’s compassion for human suffering. As Christ heals the leper, we recognize God’s great desire to restore us to health and wholeness.
Jesus heals a paralytic who was brought to him by others who were determined and faithful. May their witness inspire us to bring others to Christ for the healing they need.