WORD OF GOD

First Sunday of Lent
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

“God saw that it was good” — with these words the Book of Genesis repeatedly asserts the goodness of creation. The cultures and religions of the ancient world were marked by a dualism that saw material objects and beings as inferior to the “spiritual” realm of the gods. Some of those religions went so far as to claim that the material and spiritual realms were created by different gods. Genesis and the Old Testament have no such duality. Instead, there is this firm conviction that the One God is Creator and that there is no false divide between Creator and creation. Rather, the Creator’s presence is woven into creation. Far from being a lesser reality or the realm of an evil god, this world, as Genesis says, is “good.”

In Chapter 6 of Genesis, there is a terrible moment when God sees the terrible wickedness of people and regrets creating humankind. It is that regret which leads to the wholesale destruction of the flood. But even in this most terrible moment of sin and rebellion against God, the Lord continues to exercise the power of creation —  or in this case, re-creation. Instead of wiping out creation and humankind, God chooses and calls Noah and entrusts him and his family with the deliverance of life itself.

Today, we begin our readings at the moment when the flood has subsided and we hear the account of the covenant established between God and Noah, his sons, and all creation. Remember that later covenants with Abraham and David concern God’s relationship with the chosen people, Israel. This earlier covenant with Noah is unique in its universal perspective as God makes pledges to all human beings and indeed all creatures. Human sin introduced suffering and death into creation, but God promises not to give up on humanity or on life itself. Instead, the Lord initiates a new beginning for Noah and his sons, and a renewal of the whole world. The waters, which appeared to be destruction and death, have become life and renewal.

It is this patient, compassionate, and faithful love that Psalm 25 celebrates. In that psalm, we call upon the Lord to show us that compassion. More importantly, we speak of our need to respond with humility, acknowledging our sins and learning from the Lord.

The second reading, taken from the First Letter of Peter, borrows the imagery of the covenant with Noah to speak of the effects of Christian baptism. For Peter, the flood is less a punishment for sins than an opportunity for a new beginning and a new life. The passage through the waters rescued Noah and his charges from death and brought them to a renewed earth. Likewise, the Christian believer understands that his or her passage through the “waters” begins a new life. The letter addresses Christians who are experiencing severe persecution and this passage provides instruction, example and consolation. It speaks of the example of Christ’s sufferings and the life that results from His sacrifice. It assures present day believers that this same Jesus reigns now in heaven and has the power to deliver them. And it assures them that their current struggles, even if they may appear to be an overwhelming flood, are not an end of them. The power of God turns drowning waters to life-giving waters.

The passage from the Gospel of Mark follows the baptism of Jesus where the voice of God declared Him “beloved Son.” Now, Jesus goes into the wilderness for a time of testing that recalls Israel’s 40 years in Sinai. There, the central issue was Israel’s fidelity to the covenant. The comparison also reveals an important difference. Whereas Israel repeatedly failed in its commitment to the covenant, Jesus demonstrates absolute fidelity. Notice that the Spirit “drives” Him into the wilderness, but he emerges freely to embrace his ministry. And that ministry begins with a note of danger as John is arrested. There is a direct link here between Jesus’ fidelity to God and His destiny to suffer and die. But this is also a moment of new beginning, reminding us that the God Who made the terror of the flood into renewal and life will transform the cross of the passion into the tree of life.

We find ourselves at the beginning of our own 40 days. The season demands struggle and sacrifice and it begins with a reminder of our sinfulness and mortality. But we should never fear that our Creator God has anything else in mind than calling us to renewal and new life.

THIS WEEK'S READINGS
Mon., Feb. 27 — Reading I: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Responsorial: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Gospel: Mt 25:31-46
Tues., Feb. 28 — Reading I: Is 55:10-11; Responsorial: Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19; Gospel: Mt 6:7-15
Wed., Feb. 29 — Reading I: Jon 3:1-10; Responsorial: Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Gospel: Lk 11:29-32
Thurs., March 1 — Reading I: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Responsorial: Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; Gospel: Mt 1:1
Fri., March 2 — Reading I: Ez 18:21-28; Responsorial: Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8; Gospel: Mt 5:20-26
Sat., March 3 — Reading I: Dt 26:16-19; Responsorial: Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Gospel: Mt 5:43-48

About the Author

MSGR. RICHARD HENNING

Professor of scripture, Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, NY