The First Sunday in Lent

Today is Sunday the 21 February, the first Sunday in Lent.

Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life. The most important thing for me to do now, as I enter into prayer, is to let go for a moment, to let go of my own concerns, my own worries and fears and reluctance, and let myself be led by God, trusting that God, who loves me, will lead me into life.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 1:12-15

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

It is an ancient Christian tradition on this first Sunday of Lent to watch Jesus dealing with temptation, which is recounted in the reading that you have just heard.

What is the significant do you think of Mark telling us that “the Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness”?

What does it mean to say that Jesus “was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him”? How do you imagine this?

Now listen as the passage is read once more, and ask “what does it mean to “repent and believe the good news”

Finally, see if you can bring all the thoughts that have welled up in your heart during this time, and express them as a prayer to God.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.