IN THE BEGINNING

First Sunday of Lent

Gn 9: 8 – 15/ Ps 25/ 1 Pt 3:18-22/ Mk 1:12-15

Every beginning is crucial because it will surely affect the future. For example, they say that the first six years of our childhood is very sensitive because during this period our personality is being established. Hence, what we are today is a result of what happened at the beginning of our lives. For lovers, they say that the first date is very important because it is in this first encounter that one gets to know a glimpse of the other. Thus, if you notice that the other is very talkative in your first dinner, probably, he/she is an outgoing or proud person. Every beginning is crucial because it will affect the future.

Our readings today remind us of two important realities when we speak about beginnings. The Gospel according to Mark is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. And what is interesting is that it begins with his temptation. In the other Gospel texts, we know that he was tempted three times. Thus, this is the first reality when we talk about beginnings – the existence of temptation. The moment we begin to live a good moral life is also the same moment when the devil tempts us all the more. We should remember that the devil loses his job to tempt us if we have been used to committing the same sins over and over again. However, the moment we decide to be good, he will again exert all his efforts to tempt us. Jesus himself was tempted not once but thrice as he began his public ministry. This is also the reason why in the prayer which he taught his disciples, he includes a petition for them not to fall into temptation. 

Thus, it is our challenge to be always sensitive to the voices around us. When we want to do something, we must listen to the voice of God, our conscience, and reject the voice of the devil. May we be attentive so that we can listen to the right voice.

However, our first reading reminds us of another reality – the truth of God’s presence in our lives. Our first reading narrates to us about humanity’s new beginning after the great flood. And from such beginning, God promised to Noah that he will no longer flood the earth again; that he will establish a covenant with humanity. Yes, there is always a temptation every time we begin to do and choose that which is good. However, we must also not forget that there too is the presence of God actively working in our lives.

Thus, aside from being sensitive to the right voice, we are also challenged this Sunday, to be able to discern the presence of God in our lives since the beginning until today.

And our second reading today reminds us of the very important beginning in our lives as Christians because such beginning according to Peter happened so that we might be led to God – his death on the cross. Humanly speaking, the event at Calvary was the end of Jesus’ life. But our faith has told us that such end is the beginning of our new life with God.

And so, as we begin the first Sunday of Lent, may we be reminded of that event in Calvary for such event was the beginning of our renewed relationship with God. And only through such loving relationship with God can we resist temptation and all the more recognize his presence in our lives.

Every beginning is crucial because it will surely affect the future. However, the question is: Have you began your journey towards Christ? Amen.

N.B. Photo taken from morselofbread.net