First Sunday of Lent (02.26.2023)
The Season of Lent calls people to humility, to an honest understanding of who we are. Humility is not false modesty, but the awareness of who we are: sons and daughters of God, created by God. Yet we like Adam and Eve, are often tempted to think of ourselves as more than creatures, as in control of this world. On this first Sunday of Lent, our readings bring into focus the great drama of our salvation history: our first parents sinned, and through them death came to all. Our gracious God sent his Son not to condemn, but to save and to free us.
In the first reading, the serpent convinces the woman to eat fruit from the forbidden tree, which she shares with her husband. Their eyes are opened and they realize they are naked. In the second reading, St. Paul writes that through the obedience of Christ, many will become righteous. He reassures us that God’s grace surpasses any of our sins. In the Gospel, Jesus is tempted by Satan after fasting for forty days and forty nights. Jesus resists all that Satan offers and commands him to get away.
We begin our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Our focus should be to remember to put God first in our lives, and to wrest out of our lives anything we want to put before God.
Jesus gives us a masterful example of how to do just that in the Gospel, as he is confronted with various temptations by the devil. For every temptation that Satan puts before him, Jesus counters with a reminder that God comes first. For forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness. Then Satan approaches Jesus and asks Jesus to make stones into bread. Jesus says that one does not live only on bread, but on the word of God. Tempted to fall down and let God save him, Jesus reminds the devil that he does not put God to the test. Finally, tempted with all the riches of the world if he only worships Satan, Jesus counters that God alone should be worshiped.
In all of these temptations, Jesus gives us a clear model and lesson that God, our creator comes first. As we begin our own challenging journey of Lent, let us be assured of God’s grace. God gives us grace to help us in our struggles. We are never alone. God is with us and always is waiting to give us what we need. Let us face Lent with courage and strength of Jesus. May this Lent help us to return to God and put him first in our lives and hearts.
Parish Life
Regarding parish life, the Archbishop encouraged pastors and priests to move forward with parish activities, including in-person gathering for all ages while observing the health and safety restrictions of the state. Whenever possible, we need to prudently proceed with the life of the Church. We need to focus our efforts on strengthening the faith of our people, especially the religious knowledge and faith of our children. In these unique times, our church may become poorer and smaller, but more fervent.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
For more than ninety years, St. Augustine Church has been a beacon of light in Lincoln City, and a gathering place of prayer, worship and service.
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