A Reflection on the Readings for the First Sunday in Lent, March 6
Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm: 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Reading II: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
This week’s Mass reflection is brought to us by 12-year-old Joseph Bader, a 6th grader at Cryar Intermediate School whose favorite activities include building with Lego, playing baritone, Minecraft, Boy Scouts, and altar serving:
The readings for Mass are all connected with reminders from God as we go into Lent.
In the Old Testament reading, God reminds us of our history. Jacob had brought his family to Egypt during a famine, and they settled there and “became a nation great, strong, and numerous.” Then the Egyptians made them slaves, so God brought the Israelites out of Egypt into a new country with Moses as their leader.
The Responsorial Psalm reminds us God is always there: “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.”
The New Testament reading reminds us God will forgive our sins. It reminds me of the sacrament of Reconciliation because it says, “If you confess with your heart that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
St. Paul also says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” and that reminds me of the Gospel of John, because he says, “…the word was with God, and the word was God,” so it’s another reminder that God is with us.
The Gospel reading reminds us what to do during Lent: try not to be tempted. Jesus and Satan are debating using Scripture. When Jesus sacrifices himself on the cross, God wins, and that’s the end of the debate.
Author: Joseph Bader
