Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Lent (February 18, 2018): GN 9:8-15; PS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 PT 3:18-22; MK 1:12-15
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today’s liturgical readings remind us of the covenant God made at the time of Noah when the rainbow became a sign that He would never again send a flood over the whole earth. In the person of Jesus, we find the promise of the New Covenant that saves the world from sin and death. “Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that He might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). In his letter to the early Christian community, St. Peter let them know that Almighty God never forgets His promises to us and always gives more than we expect.God planned the salvation of His children through the life, death and Resurrection of His Son. The Jews knew that a Messiah would come. Yet the Father’s design for the world was far beyond the comprehension of those waiting for a Redeemer to arrive among us. During Lent we need to consider the astounding love and mercy that led our Lord to sacrifice so much so that we might have life everlasting within our grasp. We have only to say “Yes!” to Him with our whole heart.