Our first reading has the story of the new covenant from God. If you are like me, you have probably heard this story many times. Hearing it again today, what do you focus on most? Today, for me, the focus is on the verse, “I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed…,” especially in this Lenten season. This line really speaks to me about the depth and breadth of His love for us. It makes me realize the fact that God is my creator and loves me enough to allow me to choose Him. The water helps me visualize the vastness of His love being as deep as all the oceans together and, although I am like a single drop of water in that ocean, He loves me immensely enough to let me choose Him. I am extremely humbled at that. Have you experienced a feeling like that? How do you feel about this reading now?
Our Psalm reiterates the intensity of God’s love for us, and that His way is truth and love. We are reminded of His many teachings and that Jesus lived them to show us the way in that new covenant. How can I live my love for Him this Lent? What actions can I adjust in my life to illustrate to Him that I learned to love and show kindness to others this Lenten season?
This second reading is difficult for me, but one that is also very clear. God is clearly defining that although all were all loved by Him, few were saved in the days of Noah. This reading pointedly tells us who will be saved now. They are not ones who are perfectly clean nor ones who never strayed, but they are those who choose to follow Jesus, as entering that new covenant with God. How does this reading speak to you? The difficulty I have with this is that the love of God is for all His children and yet some do not accept His love and salvation. That really makes me feel motivated to spread His love to all I meet in hope that I may help someone else choose and turn to Him. Especially during this Lent, are you motivated to serve others? How can you extend your motivation throughout the rest of the year?
Today’s Gospel tells of Jesus being tempted in the desert for forty days. There is no coincidence that during Lent we have forty days until Easter and then forty days leading up to the Ascension. We fast and abstain from meat and other foods during Lent to perform penance for our sins. However, I am struck by the line that says, “He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him.” This line is so very comforting to me. It tells me to not worry about that suffering and to remember He will send others to comfort me in my suffering for Him. I know that fasting and abstinence will help me personally experience a closeness with Jesus. How else will I initiate changes that will bring me closer to Jesus this Lenten season up to Easter? How will I attend to and support others in their suffering to celebrate Him during in the next forty days after Easter, and then beyond that?