Reflection for First Sunday of Lent: February 26, 2023 Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7: From its very beginning, this passage reminds us of our total dependence upon God, for everything. Reflect upon the fact that we even depend upon God for the very “breath of life.” We are not our own; belonging to ourselves. We belong, as do all living things, to our God, Who is the Source of all life. Notice God’s generous and thoughtful love; providing for all of Adam and Eve’s needs… plus making a Paradise of beauty, the Garden of Eden, for their enjoyment. Our attentive and loving Heavenly Father, tenderly cares for us and wills only for our health and salvation. Nevertheless, as described, sin entered the world, when Adam and Eve turned away from God. Today, we still await the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation… Jesus’ Sacrificial offering being poured out upon us all! Psalm 51: “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” Like Adam and Eve, we all have sinned and turned away from God, at various points in our lives. Lent is a time for us to reflect and pray; as illustrated in this wonderful penitential psalm. Let’s pray to recognize and become aware of our sins. Sometimes, in our pride, we don’t even recognize that we’re nurturing unfair and judgmental attitudes or that we’re failing to be as loving as we could be. Sometimes, our sins can be failures to do something good in a situation; rather than just doing something wrong. It can help to keep it simple: Let’s pray that God’s Holy Will be done… unto us… and by us. That’s a simple and powerful prayer. After this prayer, we may find ourselves going out of our comfort zone to help people or minister to them in some new way that we hadn’t before. Be open! Romans 5:12-19: St. Paul reflects that we all inherited the stain of original sin, through Adam and Eve, as our nature was corrupted. Nevertheless, our God is, ultimately, a God of mercy, forgiveness and generosity. Our God has made us inheritors of Jesus’ redeeming Sacrifice for us, on the Cross. Reflect on and share Paul’s gratitude that Jesus has showered us with an “abundance of grace” and the “gift of justification.” Jesus has given us all the graces we need to become truly holy. We can, starting now, become better than we’ve ever been before. Lent is a time of penance and repentance… but it’s also a time of great hope. Our God is offering us forgiveness… but we’re also being called to change our lives and follow Jesus more consistently; changing our behaviors and lifestyles, as needed. Let’s pray to be open to change. Matt 4:1-11: Reflect upon this passage and notice that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to His time of temptation by the devil. There’s a subtle message, here. Jesus was never left alone. Since the Holy Spirit led Jesus; it’s clear that the Spirit was with Jesus in His time of trial. Similarly, there’s a reassurance here for us. When we’re being tempted or under trials in our lives, the Holy Spirit is leading us or accompanying us, also. We’re never left alone; to handle things on our own. Our God is with us! Doesn’t Jesus promise us, at His ascension, “Behold, I am with you, always… even to the end of the age…?” This ought to reassure us as we work to transform our lives during this Lenten season. We’re never alone. The Holy Spirit is ever present and available. Be at peace!