HOMILY: 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR B
THEME: “REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
This is the 1st Sunday of Lent (Yr. B). Isn’t it surprising that even non-Christians received the Ash last Wednesday? This means we are all equal before the Lord our God. The thought of returning onto dust where we all come from sends signal across the globe. Yes, we are dust and onto dust we shall return! This implies that there is time for everything. Lenten season is here again. A time when we pray, fast and give alms. However, lenten observance without LOVE is as stupid as pouring water on a stone. A repentant person is one whose heart is like bread which water enters and softens easily. “After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God” (Mk.1:12-15). He is preaching to us to repent, to soften our hearts, and to be saved.
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That Jesus himself is telling us to “Repent, and believe the Good News” means much. It reminds us to remember the covenant God made with Noah and his sons. “God spoke to Noah and his sons, ‘See I establish my Covenant with you and your descendents after you”(Gen. 9:8-15). Those who obey the commandments of God shall not be destroyed. Noah symbolizes those who believe in the premises made by God. Believe and be saved.
If you feed the hungry, clothe the naked and liberate the unjustly condemned, you are good to go through the Lenten season. If you pray for peace, give alms to the poor and needy and visit the sick, you are on the road to salvation. If you console the brokenhearted, advice the young and receive the sacraments, you store treasures for yourself in heaven where Jesus is seated at God’s right hand (cf. 1Pt. 3:18-22).
May our Lord Jesus Christ be with us throughout this Lenten season, amen.
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