TGIF
I found the following message online written by Catholic priest Fr. Stephen Rock in Reading Massachusetts. I thought it was most appropriate for this week as we start this important time in our annual worship calendar. I added the scripture to his message and hope this message helps you prepare your heart and mind for the Lent season.
Lent is celebrated by Christians worldwide starting on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022. During Lent, believers remember and honor the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert after his baptism, during which he was tempted by Satan. Ash Wednesday begins a 40-day spiritual pilgrimage for today’s faithful — symbolized by receiving ashes on the forehead.
Matthew 4:1-11 – The Temptation of Jesus
First Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”
Second Temptation
5 Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will lift You up,
So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Third Temptation
8 Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him.
Lent is a “penitential time” that allows us to better prepare to “enter into the mystery” of Holy Week, Fr. Rock noted. During Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday, believers reflect on the final period of Christ’s life on earth, including the Last Supper, Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection — which is celebrated on Easter.
“Christians believe that Jesus, the Son of God, did all of this for our salvation and to set us free from sin and death,” said Fr. Rock. He continued, “Lent is a time for us to fast, to pray and to perform works of charity (or alms giving).” For all those who embrace this time with an open heart, Fr. Rock said it will “enable them to draw closer to our loving God and strengthen their spiritual lives.”
It’s not so much what we “give up,” said Rock — as many people abstain from alcohol, sweets or other treats or pleasures during Lent. Instead, it’s really about “giving more time to God, inviting Him to come into our hearts and transform us.” Fr. Rock likens this to “the farmer in the Gospel who sows the seeds and goes to sleep not knowing exactly how the seed germinates, blossoms and ripens. He trusts that God will provide.”
Isaiah 30:18 – Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.
Rock noted that Lent is not meant as a kind of religious “show,” but instead is a “realistic” and “down-to-earth” time for believers. It’s about the ashes and the cross,” he said. “It’s about everything in life that touches us, and how we spend our time. It’s about sin and sorrow, life and death.”
Fr. Rock related Lent to current world events. “The world is a mess, our society seems adrift and issues related to COVID have made things worse,” the priest said. Referencing Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Fr. Rock said there is no better time to “turn our thoughts to God, inviting Him into our lives to strengthen us and give us hope in a world that seems so out of control.”
Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.
Rock said that if believers take the three pillars of Lent seriously — fasting, praying and acts of charity — these will “help open our hearts to a God who loves us. Then everything changes.” Fr. Rock added, “Many of us have been too busy doing other things that have never brought us the happiness that God wants us to have.”
“Lent gives us the perfect opportunity to deepen our relationship with God. He wants a relationship with us. If we take the time,” he also said, “God will help us to be filled with hope and joy.”
“Then, we can say at Easter, ‘He is Risen, He is truly Risen!
Joel 2:12-13 – Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; 13 and tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe.