1st Sunday of Lent
Today, we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent, and scripture appropriately begins at the beginning. How did we get here? Must we look at the darkness of sin once again?
It certainly is uncomfortable for us to think of ourselves as people who sin. Many years ago, our pastor delivered a homily and said, ‘Forgive us our sin’ in the singular. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how prophetic those words were. What is that one sin? I think we can safely assume it is the sin of self. Regardless of what wrong we commit, it is putting our need, our desire, our ambition, our want, above and in place of another’s good. Simply put, it is ‘our way is the only way.’ If it feels good, it’s right. If it furthers me in the eyes of others, it’s good. If it enriches me, great! If I close my eyes, I won’t see or feel another’s need, pain, loneliness, or suffering.
It’s easy to recognize sin when another commits it, but not so easy to acknowledge willingly sin within. We can even justify or minimize sin if we aren’t entirely truthful with ourselves.
The gift of Jesus was and is forgiveness and redemption. Our Father sent his son to save us from sin. Jesus empowers us to recognize sin, and His Holy Spirit gives us the power to turn away from darkness and dwell in His light.
May the last words of the Gospel touch our hearts anew. “The devil left him, and the angels came and ministered to him.” Perhaps prophetically, this implies that temptation can be exhausting, however when we resist temptation and turn away from sin, the loving Spirit of God will grant us renewed strength and inner peace.
Prayer:
My Father, have mercy on me and in your goodness wash me of my sin. Through your forgiveness, cleanse me of my sin and guilt. Create within me a clean heart and grant me the gift of your Holy Spirit, sustaining my commitment to serving you alone, O God. Amen.
