The Sunday liturgies of the season of Lent offer us much material for reflection. For starters, the first Sunday of Lent always has the gospel reading about Jesus being tempted by the devil in the desert. This year’s version (there are three versions, one each from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke) is from the Gospel of Luke and outlines the three temptations from the devil we are accustomed to hearing: 1) “command this stone to become bread”, 2) “worship me” and “I will give you this power and glory”, and 3) “if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here…” Jesus did not succumb to these temptations; instead, he used Scripture to refute the devil. Interestingly, the gospel concludes with the sentence: “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time” (italics added). If the devil was going to tempt Jesus again, what will the devil do to us…and how will we respond?
Jesus’ transfiguration is always the subject of the gospel reading on the Second Sunday of Lent. This Sunday’s passage places Jesus with two pillars of Jewish religious history, Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets. In Luke’s version of the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus about his “exodus”, an apparent reference to Israel’s liberation from Egypt centuries earlier and Jesus’ own upcoming death. The disciples who accompany Jesus, Peter, James and John, are awed by their experience of Jesus’ glory, and Peter suggests that they all remain there on the mountain. The disciples then hear a voice saying to them “This is my chosen Son. Listen to him.” This command is for us as well and so we can ask ourselves: “Do we listen to Jesus? What is he saying to us?”
This year, the third Sunday of Lent features a parable that Jesus tells about a fig tree. This is a tree that has not produced fruit for three years and the tree’s owner tells the gardener to cut it down. The gardener asks that he be allowed to care for the tree another year, as the tree may still produce fruit. The implication is that God is like the gardener, willing to give us another chance, despite our lack of fruitfulness. How will we respond to God’s desire to work with us to prepare us…yet, another time…to bear fruit?
Laetare is the Latin designation for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. It is the “rose” Sunday of Lent, and it means “rejoice”, for Easter is drawing near. The gospel reading on Laetare Sunday is Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable appears only in the Gospel of Luke. It is masterful story of the generous love that the father has for both of his sons, the younger one who spends all of his inheritance on “dissolute” living, and the elder one, who is faithful and obedient, yet unaccepting of his father’s love for his brother and for him. With whom do we identify, the father, elder son or younger son? Can we see ourselves in all three characters, depending upon the day or circumstance?
Finally, the fifth Sunday of Lent offers us the gospel story of the woman caught in adultery, with Jesus’ brilliant response to those who wish to stone her to death: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” When everyone leaves, and no one is left to stone her, Jesus tells the woman that he does not condemn her, and he admonishes her to sin no more. Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, this story provides a meaningful opportunity for us to examine our own attitudes and actions. Are we like the members of the crowd who are willing to condemn the woman (where’s the man, by the way?) for her sin? Are we like Jesus, ready to forgive?
Palm Sunday and Holy Week, ending with the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday evening), are next. The liturgies this week tell us in vivid detail the story of Jesus’ final days, including his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper with his friends, his death and his resurrection. Take the time to participate in this story, marveling at how Jesus has saved us. Check the bulletin for the schedule of Holy Week/Triduum liturgies. You won’t be disappointed!
You can always find materials to help you prepare for the Sunday readings at https://liturgy.slu.edu/. If you would like to access the Mass readings for every day, see the US Bishops’ website at https://www.usccb.org/, and click on “Daily Readings”.
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