Lent is about receiving God's gifts

March 9, 2003 -- First Sunday of Lent

	Fr. Richard Ver Bust

Our perception of the meaning of Lent and our attitude toward it probably are colored by our education and training. For many of us, Lent is a time of self-denial and giving up something. But Sr. Dianne Bergant in her book Preaching the New Lectionary suggests that Lent may be more about receiving. The readings of this First Sunday of Lent suggest this is true.

Lent
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It is not so much denying ourselves but receiving what God wants to give to us. Sr. Bergant says that Lent should focus not on what we can do but on what God does for us.

Our first reading from the Book of Genesis presents to us the story of Noah. We enter the story after the Flood. God makes a covenant to Noah, his family and to us. God says that he will never destroy the world by a flood again. We should remember that the flood occurred because of the sinfulness of people.

The story of the flood was found in the ancient writings of many different nations. Some scientists are suggesting that the Mediterranean Sea burst through into the Black Sea and destroyed ancient civilizations. But Scripture is not interested in science but religious ideas. The chaos of the flood is replaced by the promise of future blessings symbolized by a rainbow. It is a new creation, for once more out of chaos comes a new beginning. God promises to continue to help people. The God who delivered Noah now promises to deliver all creation and make it the realm of God's kingdom

The psalmist in his own way remembers the saving actions of God. He believes that God once more has made a covenant and has brought salvation to the people. The people in turn should respond to that act and should live responsibly. The psalmist asks that God show how he should live, "Teach me your ways."

Our second reading from the First Letter of Peter has been chosen because it is a reinterpretation of the Noah tradition. The old tradition tells of Noah being saved from the flood. Now in Baptism, Christ saves us. The waters of each help bring about change. If the flood brought about a new creation, Baptism transforms us. This means more than a simple cleansing. It makes us new.

The story of the temptation of Christ is simple and direct. It happens in Mark's Gospel immediately after Christ's Baptism. The Spirit who had come upon Jesus in his Baptism now drives Christ out into a desert wilderness. The desert in scripture recalls the time Israel had escaped from the slavery of Egypt. Israel had often failed and had turned from God even though God had shown his love in rescuing them. Now Christ would be tested in preparation for his ministry.

The 40 days of fasting was symbolic. Moses spent 40 days of fasting before receiving the Ten Commandments, and Elijah, 40 days of fasting in returning to the same Mt. Horeb. These two are symbolic of the Law and the prophets. Now Christ, who Mark believes will bring the New Law and is the New Prophet, fasts. Christ's proclaims another new creation. God is bringing the kingdom into existence and calls people to prepare and respond. Lent reminds us in past traditions God truly has given us a great gift. It is the gift of salvation and we are the new creation.

(Fr. Ver Bust holds the title of professor emeritus in religious studies at St. Norbert College, De Pere.)