Sunday Says – February 22, 2015 Mass Reading Reflections

Sunday, February 22, 2015

First Sunday of Lent

Lectionary: 23 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Translation)

Reading 1
Genesis 9:8-15

 

This week’s first reading from the book of Genesis recounts the familiar story of Noah. This segment picks up after the flood and focuses on the covenant of God with Noah, promising to not destroy the earth by flood like that again. The earth was in need of cleansing, but it wasn’t easy on Him either. The end of this reading shows how much God wills for us to pursue His ways and join Him in heaven.

As we begin the season of Lent, we look at ourselves to find the areas that need cleanings and renewal. Like the waters of the flood, it may not be pleasant, but this season reminds us of the priority of heaven.

 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.

1. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

 

Reading 2
1 Peter 3:18-22

 

This week’s second reading from the first letter of St Peter also brings up the story of Noah and the flood. He brings up the theme of water as a force of cleansing in the time of Noah, and now as a power of new life. There is a direct connection, and St Peter gives a very clear, catechitical explanation on the meaning of the waters in the readings. Coming up and out of the water, we resurrect to new life in Christ. This Lent provides us a new opportunity to reconnect with that new life that we sometimes ignore or even deny.

 

Verse Before The Gospel
Matthew 4:4B

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

 

Gospel
Mark 1:12-15

This week’s Gospel from St. Mark is remarkably short. In only four sentences, we hear the central theme in Lent. For forty days, Our Lord was secluded in the desert to be tempted and tried in preparation of His proclamation of the Gospel. As we spend our days in the spiritual desert, we have opportunities to more closely enter into the mystery of suffering. We will likely also have increased temptation as Jesus encountered in the desert, but we can find assurance in that He also knows our suffering. May you have a blessed Lent.

 

Gospel Meditation from Bishop Vásquez

Reflection question

• In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” How long has it been since your last confession? Lent is the perfect time to seek out this sacrament. Why not make plans to go before Holy Week?
• En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús nos dice “Arrepiéntete y cree en el Evangelio”. ¿Cuánto tiempo ha pasado desde su última confesión? La Cuaresma es el tiempo perfecto para buscar este sacramento ¿Por qué no hacer planes para confesarse antes de la Semana Santa?