First Sunday of Lent YrB - 18 Feb 2018

First Sunday of Lent YrB

18 Feb 2018

Homily

For the last five Sundays we have been hearing from Mark. In fact we have’nt left the first chapter yet!

The previous Sundays Jesus first day in ministry was described – today we have gone back somewhat. We are now immediately after Jesus’ baptism.

Mark is the shortest of the Gospels and there is an air of urgency in it. Mark frequently uses words like “immediately”, or “straightaway”. You may have noticed that in his description, Mark does not give us detail about the temptations, simply that he was tempted.

The time frame is also important. Whenever you hear the number “40” in Scripture something significant is happening. Remember the Flood was “40 days and nights”, the Exodus was “40 years” wandering in the wilderness – even David, the model king, reigned we are told for “40” years. A full term pregnancy is forty weeks. Jesus, is, in a sense, “becoming” the Christ.

You will notice that we are not told that he had it easy. If you have ever felt alone, or surrounded, overwhelmed or close to it – so did Jesus!

But he trusted in God amidst all the tumult and danger and “ the angels ministered to him”.

Ministered so well in fact that he was energised to proclaim the reign of God!

In our own tumults, can we trust in God? Our culture makes an idol of the “self-contained” person, of doing our own thing. Of course, it is not possible to do our own thing without affecting others. Do we perhaps give in to the temptation of ignoring others, of seeking to rely on our own “power”?

In our own lives, what is the kingdom we proclaim?

#Lent #Homily #FatherMarkSexton #Catholic #NorthernLightCatholicParish