Setting the Stage
Keep the setting and the environment of the past days. You may want to reserve this setting for the rest of Lent and sit in your prayer chair to continue your reflections and deepen your relationship with God.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for this time with you. Please quiet my mind and open my ear to hear your Word and to be open to the message you have for me. By taking this time to discern, may I hear your call to a lifestyle and a career that will let me love as only I can, and let me serve others with the special gifts you have given me. Amen.
Reading: Mark 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 the 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 Godis at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Reflection
You have begun your Lenten Journey on Ash Wednesday. On this the first Sunday of Lent, the Church sets before us Scripture readings that speak to us of water and the desert.
In the Genesis passage God saves Noah, his family and living creatures from the waters of the flood. God enters into a covenant, a promise of enduring love with Israel and with all of humankind. The sign of the rainbow is evidence of the covenant between God, Israel and all living beings and promises "that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings".
In the second reading from the first letter of St. Peter, called a "baptismal homily", Peter encourages the catechumens to prepare themselves for the reception of the sacrament on Holy Saturday night.
The Gospel of Mark brings us into the desert with Jesus. There, we experience detachment as we divest ourselves of all exterior and interior distractions. We are alone with God in order to open ourselves to God's graces and forgiveness. The passage that precedes this one Jesus is baptized in the Jordan and God proclaims him as "his beloved". Jesus begins his ministry of prayer, fasting, healing and preaching. The Good News is proclaimed and the covenant of love between God and humanity is sealed by Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
Reflection questions
- How do the symbols of water and the desert affect your life?
- As you reflect on these symbols, how are you challenged by their power?
- In what ways have you experienced the cleansing action of the sacred water?
- What is your experience of being tested as Jesus? What learning did you receive from this experience about yourself and your relationship with God and others?
Get in touch with your retreat director
Share your reflection and be mindful that it is time to warp up the retreat.
