There was a richness in the readings at Mass today that I find difficult not to comment on. From the first reading, Genesis 9:8-15. God says to Noah that never again shall he destroy the earth with a flood. His covenant is with Noah and his descendants. That’s us. We’re all descended from Noah it would seem if you’re a person of the book. In the second reading taken from St. Peter 3:18-22, “Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.” Today’s Gospel taken from St. Mark,1:12-15″ “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
The Gospel is about the Incarnation, the word made flesh who came and dwelt among us. In fact Christ is still dwelling among us. Lent is a time of renewal, a time of redemptive renewal. Lent is a time to get rid of our selfish ideas and renew our covenant relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. Lent is about living the truth of the Gospel. When I got the ashes on my head Wednesday morning the priest said, “turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” As a Franciscan the Gospel is about living in covenant relationship with all creation.
Peace.