Into the desert with Jesus

Sisters and brothers in Christ, as we prepare ourselves to go into the desert with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ these coming 40 days of Lent, let us take comfort in these words from the Book of Sirach (in today's first reading).

First, the words "my son. . . prepare yourself for trials. . . accept whatever befalls you. . ." remind us that we are beloved sons and daughters of our Father in heaven and that, in our own suffering united with Christ's suffering in the desert and on the Cross, we participate in God's work of mercy through Christ's mission on earth. Then we read "wait on God, with patience, cling to him. . . when sorrowful, be steadfast, in crushing misfortune be patient". These words remind us to trust in God, trust that He will never forsake us but that He is always by our side; therefore, we must not forsake our relationship with Him. Moreover, "in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation" tells us that God will never give us more than we can handle with the help of His grace, and it is in our trials and tribulations that we are purified and on the path to sanctification with eternal life in heaven at the end of the path.

Through it all, we "trust God and God will help [us]; trust in him, and he will direct [our] way. . ." When we lean on the Lord our God, as Jesus did in the desert, we will know in our hearts that these words are true: "Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth." Therefore, as the psalm tells us: "Commit your life to the Lord, and he will help you." Thus, rather then argue about who will be first, let us come to our Father with childlike faith, completely dependent on our heavenly Father, and receive our Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and let him be the Lord of our lives these 40 days and beyond.

. . .

Gospel of the Day

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,

but he did not wish anyone to know about it.

He was teaching his disciples and telling them,

"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men

and they will kill him,

and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise."

But they did not understand the saying,

and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,

he began to ask them,

"What were you arguing about on the way?"

But they remained silent.

For they had been discussing among themselves on the way

who was the greatest.

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,

"If anyone wishes to be first,   

he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,   

and putting his arms around it, he said to them,

"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;

and whoever receives me,

receives not me but the One who sent me."