In the early chapters of the Book of Genesis we are told about God who creates all things out of love. Despite this reality humanity turned itself away from this loving God. Therefore a new covenant is established through Noah which leads us back into relationship with God. This passage concerning Noah is a reminder of God who desires to restore that level of friendship with us despite the sinfulness that is brought about within our life.
This past Wednesday we entered into the Lenten season. It is on Ash Wednesday that we dare to bare upon our forehead the mark of ashes made into the form of a cross. These ashes placed upon our forehead remind us that we are sinners who are in need of the mercy of God. They remind us of our own mortality and how we will eventually come to die. They remind us of our need to renew within ourself our relationship with God.
In 1st Peter we are reminded of the connection that exists between the waters of the great flood and the waters of baptism. In baptism we were cleansed from our sinfulness and were incorporated into the life of the Church. Sin sets out to destroy this relationship with God and thus we enter into Lent in order to renew this relationship which sin sets out to destroy.
In our Gospel we are given the example of Christ who following His baptism in the Jordan sets out into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days. This is the perfect example for us because in the season of Lent we too set out to fast and pray for a period of 40 days. Throughout the course of the Lenten season we are being invited to renew our relationship with God which has been hurt by the weight of sin. Throughout the course of Lent we are to set our sight upon the Sacrament of Baptism and thus desire to always remain pure and blameless in the sight of the Lord.
May we thus courageously take up the practices of fasting, praying, and almsgiving during this Lenten season. Through such practices may we come to purify our heart and soul in order that we may become better disciples of the Lord. If we are to renew ourself in such a manner we must also come to entrust ourself to the Lord’s infinite mercy. On Tuesday our parish will hold its Lenten Penance Service in which many priests will be present to hear confessions. If you have been away from the sacrament for a long time or discern that you are in the state of mortal sin I implore you to rush to this sacrament with haste.
