We decide each day if God is more important to us than our selves. Let us decide in favor of Him and our ultimate good.
Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Lent (March 1, 2020): GN 2:7-9; 3:1-7; PS 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,17; ROM 5:12-19; MT 4:1-11
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
The readings for today address God’s expectations for His people.
From the beginning of the human race, we have clung to sin through our self-centered interests. As St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans, it was true for our first parents and it is still so today. But now there is a huge difference. “If by the transgression of the one, the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. … Just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act, acquittal and life came to all” (Romans 5:15, 18). Almighty God never gives up on us, who are not only His creatures, but also His children. Despite the failure of Adam and Eve to accept the life of love, peace and joy that He intended for us, He sent His Son to save us from Satan and from ourselves.
God has watched His people ignore Him and His beautiful designs for our welfare over and over again. He sees us ignore others or treat them with contempt or use them to gain something we want for ourselves. Yet through the life, death and message of His Son and our Redeemer, our eternal Father calls us back to Himself. The Creator of all life and all that is will not let us go without a fight. Each one of us is meant for life everlasting. But we must make the choice to accept His grace. And, through God’s gift of free will, that is up to us.
Suggested missionary action: As we go through the days of Lent, let us remember that Jesus, too, was tempted. But for the love of His people, He obeyed the will of our Father. Let us also be obedient, for the sake of our merciful God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.