First Sunday of Lent Reflection 2019
Author: Margy Lisjak, Member Micah Theotokos and Visitation Marianist State Community
March 10, 2019
Today’s readings talk to us about temptations, struggles, challenges, and pain as individuals and as community. We hear about the challenges of the Israelites during their time in Egypt, where they were mistreated, oppressed, and made to suffer simply because they were different. Psalm 91 calls upon God to be with us when we are in trouble, asking God to provide us with shelter and safety. Trusting in God’s strength, we listen and are comforted but we are called to action.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks to the faith that is deep within our heart. It is this faith that gives us the strength to say “yes” when we are called, to serve one another in our struggles, and to treat everyone as we would be treated, with no distinctions made due to our race, faith tradition, ethnicity, gender - our differences.
We read about Jesus’ temptations in the desert in Luke’s gospel. Jesus struggles, as we struggle, with temptation. He is able to stand strong and firm because he knows that God will care for him. A strong and deep faith of the heart assures us that we are never left to our own defenses but trust that the strength of God is with us.
As Marianists, we are blessed to have Mary as our model for living our faith. Her “yes” came from a profound faith of the heart which allowed her to stand up to the challenges of her life. Her “yes” gave her the strength to challenge the norms of her day, to live as a refugee, to serve those in need, and most importantly, to bring Jesus to life for our salvation. Her “yes” came with many struggles and much pain. Her “yes” came with a deep understanding that God will be with her.
It was her faith that gave us Jesus. And it was Jesus that showed us that He will be with us whenever we are in trouble, when we are in pain, when we are in need. Jesus taught us that we must care for our neighbors, be one with the poor, welcome the stranger, and love God deeply. We must act in the ways that honor God’s trust in our love of one another.