First Sunday of Lent
First Reading: GENESIS 9:8-15
Responsorial Psalm: PSALMS 25:4-9
Second Reading: 1 PETER 3:18-22
Gospel: MARK 1:12-15
The Gospel today follows immediately after the baptism of Jesus. It is a very short passage but packed with interesting questions and meanings. What does St. Mark mean by saying the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness? Notice that St. Mark’s account of the temptation of Jesus does not tell us how many temptations they were. He simply tells us that Jesus was remained in the wilderness for 40 days and was tempted by Satan. Notice also that St. Mark tells us something else that is unique. He says He was with the wild beasts. Why does he mention this point and why is it important for him? Why does Jesus remain in the wilderness 40 days and not 30 or 50? Why 40 days? If we can attempt this questions, then we may be able to take home one or more lessons.
What does it mean that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness? When St. Mark tells us that the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness he is alluding to the Spirit that came down on Jesus like a dove after baptism (Mark 1:10) and so he tells us that the journey of Jesus into the wilderness is the activity of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ. The desert is a place of intimacy with Jesus and with God. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into the place of intimacy with God.
Why does He remain in the wilderness for 40 days? Numbers have meaning in Israel. Whenever you see the number 40, it always symbolizes a time of testing or a time of purification. When the Gospel says that Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, every first century Jew would have been reminded of the flood that destroyed Noah’s world. Genesis chapter 7 tells us that when the flood was unleashed on the earth, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. It was a time both of testing and purification; testing of Noah’s faith and trust in God and also a time of purification of the world. The flood cleansed out the world.
It would have also reminded them and indeed all of us the 40 years Israel was in the wilderness. What happened in the wilderness? In the wilderness, Israel was tested. They were tempted to sin against God. They fell into the sin of idolatry. They fell into the sin of murmuring and complaining against God and His chosen one Moses. They lost their faith in God and rebelled against Moses. Jesus is recapitulating in himself these sacred moments in the Old Testament. He is like Israel who goes out into the wilderness and was tested. Israel failed but Jesus passed the test and conquered Satan.
St. Mark also tells us that Jesus was with the wild beasts. What does that mean? What is he alluding to? Scripture scholars agree that this is an allusion to Adam. When God created Adam, He put him in the Garden of Eden and he was with the wild beasts. Satan tested Adam and Adam failed. St. Mark is telling us in a cryptic way that Jesus is the new Adam. Just as Adam was tested and he failed and brought for us; sin, suffering and death; Jesus is tempted is tempted, he passed and brought for us; righteousness, peace and life. Jesus came to undo the effect of Adam’s sin.
At lent, the Church invites us to journey with Jesus into the wilderness and imitate his fast. Like Jesus, like Adam and Israel, we too will be tempted. Fasting helps to keep us focused on Jesus and not fail. Our Holy Father Founder St. Gaetano Errico said, “prayer and penance are the secrets of holiness.” In fact, he taught that they are inseparable. If we can embrace prayers, more and more prayers and penance especially fasting, we too can be sure of victory.
Happy Sunday and God bless you
Fr. Chidi Onwuka, MSSCC