First Sunday in Lent
Reading I: Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm: Psalms 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading II: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15
The Gospel of St Mark does not tell us what Jesus’ temptation all were about. Maybe this is good because temptations come in more than three forms as presented by the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Having recognized some temptations for what they really are is no guarantee that we are immune to others. We may be faithful in our religious observances and not notice the sneaky self-righteousness hiding behind them. We may have integrity and not perceive our constant impatience with people who do not meet our standards.
The gospel says that Jesus was with wild animals and that the angels looked after him. He was in a mixed company. The wild animals though did not harm him since the angels were watching over him. We too are safe from wild animals if we associate with the angels, based on God’s word. There are many wild animals in the world. They are harmless to us if our heart belongs to the Lord. Sometimes we do not see these animals for they shun the open field or the daylight. Yet they are all around us and may even lurk in a dark corner of our heart. Our hearts are divided at times, and that is why we need to seek the things of God and not the things of the world. Our concerns should be service, generosity, peace and not material comfort, power and things which impress others.
Efren Tomas
In 2004, Father Efren arrived on Maui, Hawaii to be the Pastor of Christ The King Catholic Church in Kahului, Maui until 2012. He calls Christ The King his home because this was his first parish in Hawaii.
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