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Thank you, as always, to Deacon Vincent for his Reflections for 1st Sunday in Lent Year A

1st Reading from the book of Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7.

This is the second account of creation, so a clear indication that it is not to be taken too literally. We should be searching for the deeper meaning of what the author is presenting to us. We have the serpent or snake addressing the woman and misrepresenting what God had told the man and the woman. It is a salutary vision of today’s “Fake News”. God had said that they could eat of all the fruit in the wood but avoid the tree of the “knowledge of good and evil, as this will lead to death. The Snake questions the woman, “Why did God say, You are not to eat of every tree in the wood?”, a subtle change of emphasis by the Snake. He then misinforms her that it was a nonsense instruction as the tree of “knowledge of good and evil” would make them like gods, knowing good and evil. It is a beguiling story of how easily we can slip into choosing what we know to be wrong, and then justifying it to ourselves. This is the thrust of this creation account, not an accurate story of the way God created everything. God does not need us to tell him how the world and everything in it was created by Him. God will gradually enlighten our minds with what we are capable of absorbing.

Psalm 50: 3-6, 12-14, 17.
This is commonly known as the “Miserere” from the Latin for “Have mercy”. It is David’s song after being approached by Nathan; David having committed adultery with Bathsheba. It is a beautiful illustration of true penitence and a determination not to sin again. It can touch the deepest recesses of our souls as we begin to appreciate how damaging sin can be. This is a song to be pondered over frequently.

2nd Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 5: 12-19.
Paul weaves a really beautiful argument against “The Law”, as proclaimed by the Judaic Leaders. He compares the first Adam and the second Adam (Jesus Christ). He points to death coming through one man, Adam, and Life coming through one man Jesus Christ. He points out that from Adam to Moses there was no Law, but death still existed even though one could not break the Law, because it did not exist. Adam prefigured Christ, but the gift of Christ far outweighed the fall. As by one man’s fall there are many sinners, so through one man’s righteousness, namely Christ, many are made righteous. It is the work of a truly accomplished theologian, Paul who has been enhanced by Christ’s Holy Spirit, and has become completely absorbed by Christ.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 4: 1-11.
We continue the theme of temptation but in this Gospel reading we see how Jesus Christ (the second Adam), deals with his temptations. He does not allow the evil one to dominate, he counters every move that the evil one tries by misusing scripture, in simply correctly interpreting scripture to the evil one. The evil one’s pride is hurt and he retires for the present. There is a lesson for us all, that scripture can be misused to assist people falling by pandering to their own pride. Christ is completely focussed upon doing God’s will, not satisfying his own inclinations or desires. We have a perfect example in Christ to model ourselves upon throughout this Lent. Let us strive towards perfection, ever mindful that we are accompanied by the Holy Spirit to assist our endeavours.

God bless us all as we attempt to draw ever closer to the Lord. Deacon Vincent