Fr. MARTIN ALI KEKE NDEMSOU, SX
(First Sunday of Lent, Year C).
Great celebrations always need a serious preparation. For Christians, the greatest celebration is the paschal mystery, that is The Passion, Death and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why, every year we have Lent, which helps us to prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter.
“It (Lent) invites Christians to embody (insert) the paschal mystery more deeply and concretely in their personal, family and social lives, above all by fasting, prayer and almsgiving” (Pope’s Message for Lent 2019). In the Gospel we hear that the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert where he spent forty days being tempted by the devil. Fortunately, the devil lost the combat, although he would “return at the appointed time.” The appointed time was most probably when Jesus was hung on the cross. There too, the devil used mockery to tempt Him: “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself” (Lk 23: 37). Again, the devil lost the battle because Jesus did rise from the dead. During Lent we should always be closer to the Lord, who freed us by overcoming the devil’s temptations. Then we will be able to resist when the devil tempts us because Jesus is with us. This is why, the Letter to the Hebrews tells us: “For since he himself was tempted in that which he suffered, he is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). Moreover, during Lent, we are called to renew our faith in Jesus who redeemed us by his Death and Resurrection. That's why the second reading reminds us: “If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.” As we continue on our journey of Lent, let us be encouraged by Pope Francis, who says, “Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch (obedience and passion). Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them.”
(First Sunday of Lent, Year C).
Great celebrations always need a serious preparation. For Christians, the greatest celebration is the paschal mystery, that is The Passion, Death and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why, every year we have Lent, which helps us to prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter.
“It (Lent) invites Christians to embody (insert) the paschal mystery more deeply and concretely in their personal, family and social lives, above all by fasting, prayer and almsgiving” (Pope’s Message for Lent 2019). In the Gospel we hear that the Holy Spirit led Jesus to the desert where he spent forty days being tempted by the devil. Fortunately, the devil lost the combat, although he would “return at the appointed time.” The appointed time was most probably when Jesus was hung on the cross. There too, the devil used mockery to tempt Him: “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself” (Lk 23: 37). Again, the devil lost the battle because Jesus did rise from the dead. During Lent we should always be closer to the Lord, who freed us by overcoming the devil’s temptations. Then we will be able to resist when the devil tempts us because Jesus is with us. This is why, the Letter to the Hebrews tells us: “For since he himself was tempted in that which he suffered, he is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). Moreover, during Lent, we are called to renew our faith in Jesus who redeemed us by his Death and Resurrection. That's why the second reading reminds us: “If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved.” As we continue on our journey of Lent, let us be encouraged by Pope Francis, who says, “Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch (obedience and passion). Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them.”