Join Us as We Journey to Easter — Your Weekly Reflection from CMMB
Today’s Gospel marks the first Sunday of Lent. On this day each year, we read an account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. This year, we read Mark’s account of the event.
According to Mark, Jesus goes into the desert immediately after his baptism. The only details he describes are as follows. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert and was tempted by Satan. During his final days there, Angels ministered to him.
This is a significant moment in our faith for several reasons. Mark’s Gospel draws a symbolic connection between the end of John the Baptist’s ministry and the beginning of Jesus’, which welcomes the start of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Also significant is the fact that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. It draws a connection to the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert, and the 40 days and 40 nights the prophet Elijah journeyed. It is because of these three events that we spend 40 days recognizing the season of Lent.
During Lent, we reflect on our faith and our promise to God to reject sin. In our reflections, God guides us in our battle against temptations. But like Jesus’ time in the desert, the season of Lent is just the beginning of our journey.
At CMMB, we begin our journey to Easter with prayer, sacrifice, and extra attention to the poor. On this first Sunday of Lent we will leave you with the words of one of our generous donors, who gives to the poor today in the hopes of paving the way for a more promising tomorrow.
Seeing so many children and families in need of help has made me realize that even the slightest of donations, if done with a pure heart and goodwill and accompanied by prayer, can truly make a difference. So many times it’s hard for us to give our money to charity, thinking about all the things we might need it for. Meanwhile, so many people in the world are sick, starving, fighting for their lives! And maybe, just maybe, it is this small contribution we decide to make on a specific moment that makes all the difference and gives our brothers the resources they need to make it through another day.
If you haven’t done so already, we invite you to download our 2021 Lenten calendar and join us in our journey to Easter. You can do so by clicking HERE.
In grace and peace,
CMMB