FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, FEBRUARY 18, 2024

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Mk 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert,

and he remained in the desert for forty days,

tempted by Satan.

He was among wild beasts,

and the angels ministered to him.

After John had been arrested,

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

"This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel."

REFLECTION:

"The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.."

Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit drove Jesus out into the Judean desert. He was human in everything except for sin and He allowed Himself to be tempted by the devil and therefore sympathize with our weaknesses. The evil powers and wild beasts were present in the desert.

He lived with the same temptations as we do. Jesus prayed and persevered for 40 days preparing for His mission. He repels the devil. He fought the devil. And we know that He won and conquered death.

We, too, are in this battle. And we follow the example of Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the angels, and God's grace, we can be victorious in the struggle to do what is right. (CCC 409)

During Lent we also are led into the desert. We pray, fast and give alms, spending time in retreats, reading spiritual books, getting closer to God by doing away with the extras and the extravagances of our lives. We are preparing for our own victory over sin.

"The Lord guides the humble to justice, and he teaches the humble his way." (Psalm 25)

Please join us in our PAPA Lent Retreat February 23-25, 2024. Follow registration at papamio.org and click on PAPA Events. Let us make this year our best Lent ever.

God Bless You.