C Cycle – 1^st Sunday of Lent 25

Lk. 4:1-13

Do you feel close to God?  The church constantly reminds us we are to seek intimacy with God.  How can we be intimate with some we are not in constant contact with or interacting with.  Paul in today’s second reading tells us “…the word is near us; it is in our mouths and in our hearts (Rom. 10:8).  Is it possible for us to become intimae with God during Lent by seeking to encounter Him in the scriptures?

Since the scriptures were inspired by God and given to us by God, they must contain all that God wants us to know about Him and how we fit in God’s plan. The scriptures do reveal God’s desires for us; His plan for us and give us insights into how we are to respond to what is revealed. 

Jesus came to earth as the sacrifice for our sins and Jesus is the perfect revelation of God.  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  Paul tells us that the word is very near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart.  One thing is clear from today’s readings, and it is how critical it is for us to pay attention to the Word of God and to allow the Holy Spirit to gift us with insights and they create a desire within us for more of what God is revealing to us.   

Unfortunately, as Catholics, our faith formation has not encouraged us to read the scriptures.  Prior to Vatican II we were explicitly told not to read the scriptures.  It seemed we did not have the training to interpret them correctly.  Fortunately, Vatican II threw that teaching out the window and encouraged us to “hunger for the scriptures as much as we hunger for the Eucharist.”  Ezekiel was told by God to “eat the scroll’ and that my brothers and sisters is what we should consider adding to our daily diet of prayer and sacrifice this Lent.   

We should consume the scriptures for in them we are nourished and receive all we need to become disciples.  The give us the means to become a people who not only believe but begin to build absolute trust in what God provided us for our redemption. That is what we see in our first reading as Moses is reminding the Israelites how during their hardships, God was with them.  This is what Jesus is showing us in the gospel as He relied on God’s word to overcome the temptations.  Absolute trust in the Word of God overcomes all the obstacles we face in becoming holy men and women of God.   

What the scriptures offer us is more than just words, it offers the transforming power of the Holy Spirit as God’s word penetrates our hearts.  It offers us an internal compass to do God’s will during those times of doubt, trials, and tribulations. Just as the Word was made flesh, we can be made spiritual by God’s word as it molds and shapes us.  It offers us the means to counter the lies of the deceiver and the will to stand firm in our faith. 

The problem we Catholic’s face is we are too content with how we practice our faith. We allowed this comfort to lull us into a lack of hungering for more of God’s presence and blessings in every aspect of our lives.  We do not allow the Word we hear each Sunday to become the source of aspiring to know more.  The sad truth is today as you listened to the readings, you have heard only 1% of the content of Deuteronomy, Romans, and the gospel of Luke.  Yet, that one percent still has the power to totally transform your heart today.  There is enough in these three readings to occupy you for a week as they give you insights into God’s provident care and how your response.

The Word of God invites us to allow God to penetrate those places we hide from others. By immersing ourselves into the Word our understanding of God’s love and His desires for us becomes a reality.  Our faith in Jesus Christ becomes more than just a belief it becomes the foundation which we rely upon. It allows us to do things and say things which we once found uncomfortable.  

God requires us to do more than just believe. We must profess our faith boldly and relentlessly to all we encounter.   We need to do more than just show up and profess our belief within the confines of our parish.  We are called to go out into the world and allow our belief in Christ to be expressed by sharing the gospel with those who doubt and those who are adamantly against any religion.  We need to allow that Word of God to become more than words.  It must become a living Word flowing from the mouth of God inspiring us to bring the good news to those in need of God’s embrace…

We give what we have received.  We have been offered by God the gift of new life.  Redemption and restoration by believing and by embracing the Holy Spirit who will reveal all to us.  On this first Sunday of Lent think about who you can share the gospel with and then go and do it.  You will be surprised as the Word is broken open how many insights you will be given.