FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

The Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent is always the same: The Temptation story of Jesus. This is for several reasons. I would like to mention three of them.

Primarily it is to caution us about the reality of temptation. Temptation is real. If Jesus, the Son of God struggled with temptations, then what about us?

Secondly, it is to teach us about the nature of temptations. Most temptations do not have an evil face. Consider the first temptation of Jesus. Jesus was hungry. He had the power to perform miracles. What was wrong in using his power to make bread? It seems fine. However, it was a deceptive suggestion. Jesus understood it. It was a suggestion to distrust God’s providence. It was a suggestion to use his talents for his own satisfaction.

Thirdly, it is to give us the proper tool to fight against temptations. Jesus turned to the Scripture for guidance. The Psalmist describes the Scripture in the following way: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119.105)

What are your temptations? Reflect your life in the light of the Gospels. Name it and tame it.

START NEW
7 Sunday in Ordinary Time

One evening Little Tony started crying। “What is wrong with you?” His Mom was curious. “I want a bell”, Tony replied.” It is evening. Go to sleep. I will get it for you tomorrow morning”, she tried to comfort him. Tony was stubborn. He cried even louder. Finally, he fell asleep. He woke early in the morning and started crying again: I need a bell. His mom went to the store and got one for Tony. Ringing the bell, Tony started crying even louder…” What is wrong with you now?” Tony’s mom asked. “I want to ring it yesterday”, Tony replied…! Can he ring it yesterday?

Many people do not know how to live in the present. They still live in the past. Our obsession with the past paralyzes us, arrest our growth and make us unable to move…

When they brought the paralytic to Jesus, Jesus said to him: Your sins are forgiven. He did not say right away ‘rise and walk’. Sin is always related to a past event.

God wants to make our life new. How do we make our life new? There is one condition! We need to let our past go and focus on the future possibilities. Listen to what God says: Remember not the things of the past. I am doing something new. God is willing to bypass our past. Am I willing to let my past go?

FOUR WEEKS LENTEN REFLECTION
Tuesday February 28, March 6, 13, 20
7.15pm in the Church
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Feb 28 : In the desert with Jesus

March 6 : People of the Kingdom

March 13 : The Voice of Calvary

March 20 : Rising again through the Sacramental life

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Presenter: Fr. Sebastian