Sisters of St. Mary of Namur

February 21, 2009   Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent

Lent begins with the powerful event of Jesus' temptation in the desert. The other readings seem to be clarion calls to each of us to listen more attentively that we might hear what God is trying to say to us.  Not only today but all through these Lenten Days.

Today we see a Jesus who is quite clear about who He is and his steadfast love overshadows all the images around.  How might we situate ourselves today?  Can we get inside this temptation story? Imagine ourselves there with the crowd and ask the question what do I feel or think?  Stay with the actual event for awhile and discover something new about it all as well as about ourselves.

Faced with this moment in Jesus life seems to be an invitation to reflect deeply on all the struggles around us. Struggles and events that threaten so much of life. The psalm today has us sing over and over, "Be with me Lord when I am in trouble." All of this is a clear invitation to beg for wisdom and courage to deepen our trust in the God of Life who never lets go of us. In a world filled with violence, hatred, greed, injustices that abound let us remember with believers all over the world that as the Spirit was with Jesus in His struggles so is that Spirit Jesus left us present at every step of our own journey.

'Let us ask God to make us what the world needs instead of asking God to do everything.' (Megan McKenna)

                                               -Sister Susan Bowles