DATE : 21/2/2021, the First Sunday of Lent (B)
EVENT : Mass of the Sunday (Solemnity)
COLOUR:Violet
READINGS : Gen. 9:8-15; Resp. Psalm 24:4-6,7-9; 1Pet. 4:18-22; Mark 1:12-15
THEME: TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS REVEAL WHO WE TRULY ARE
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this First Sunday of Lent, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Trials And Temptations Reveal Who We Truly Are". Beloved, it is often said that trials and temptations are parts and parcels of our lives here on earth. Hence to be alive and not experience either or both of them is nearly impossible. Thus learning to cope with and come out victorious from every form of temptations, should be the greatest concern of any serious individual. For whatever trouble or temptation that cannot destroy you, will surely leave you a lesson and a better person. Because tough times do not last but tough people do. Beloved, in the various readings of this first Sunday of Lent, the Church wants us to reflect on our attitude towards trials and temptations and see how we can turn such opportunities into sources of salvation and channels of grace.
In the first reading of today, we heard how Noah and his entire house hold were saved from the destructive flood, having confronted and overcame the trials and decadence of their era. Thus, despite the temptations of the time, the destructive flood and dangers all around, the family of Noah emerged unscathed. The devil could not harm him, for he responded and allowed the Holy Spirit to direct him. More so, we see the deceptive work of the evil one more concretely in the Gospel reading of today, Mark 1:12-15. We are told that Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness where after fasting for forty periods, he was tried and tempted by Satan. And unlike our first parents, Adam and Eve, who fell to the temptations of Satan, Jesus triumphed and conquered him. And then the angels of God came to minister and wait on him. Listen dear friends, the devil is a good strategist, he does not waste his energy on an already won battle. He knows how to strategize and where to shoot his shots. He knows that this is a season of Lent, a time of grace, spiritual resistances, mercy-seeking, resolutions, prayers and mortifications. He also knows that he has to double his efforts, to map out new pitfalls and release his full artilleries. So, we must be ready, resolute and stand on emergency alerts so as to resist the devil in whatever ways he may disguise himself.
As Christians, our faith is not measured by the battles we wage at favourable times, but by the battles we confront at unfavourable moment. As we begin this season of Lent let us brace up, seek the help of the Holy Spirit, and try our best to emerge victorious with Christ at Easter. For it is the final outcome of our Lenten observance that will determine what kind of followers of Christ we truly are.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to remain steadfast in my resolutions and grant me the grace to overcome all the assault of the enemy this period of Lent
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen
HAPPY SUNDAY BELOVED FRIENDS.
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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