Supplemental Reflections for Lent 2009
(40 Days of Lamentations)
  
First Sunday of Lent
The Call to Covenant
 
“This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.”
(Mark 1:15)

March 1
Genesis 9:8-15
Psalm 25:4-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15

Sin has terrible consequences. Because of the wickedness of man, God caused “a flood to destroy all mortal beings” on earth (Gn 9:15b). Only “a few persons, eight in all, were saved” (1 Pt 3:20). But God does not persist in His anger. And so he renewed His covenant with mankind, through Noah. “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you” (Gn 9:9).

Still, man continued to sin, grievously. And that is when God no longer took the life of men, but rather offered the life of His very own Son. “For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God.” (1 Pt 3:18).

By the death and “resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 3:21), we are saved, restored as children of God, and can get into heaven, where Jesus “is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.” (1 Pt 3:22).

In all these we see God’s love for us­for Jesus to take on our sins, for the Father to restore His wayward children to covenant, for us who are unrighteous to be able to enter heaven, and for “death in the flesh” to be replaced by “life in the spirit” (1 Pt 3:18b). Here we see what kind of Father we have, full of “goodness” (Ps 25:5), “compassion and love” (Ps 25:6), remembering “no more the sins of (our) youth” but remembering us “only in light of (His) love” (Ps 25:7).
 
In the face of such great love, we need to respond. Our response? “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15c).

How do we do this? We acknowledge our sinfulness and repent of our sins. We accept the good news of salvation in Jesus. We walk in God’s ways.

And we are assured that “good and upright is the Lord, who shows sinners the way” (Ps 25:8). We just need to bow down before the Lord in great humility, knowing that we have made a mess of our lives, and only in Him can we ever be saved. Again we are assured that the Lord “guides the humble rightly, and teaches the humble the way.” (Ps 25:9).

*   *   *

The kind of God we have:  Good and upright.
 
Our covenant response:  Repent, and believe in the gospel.
 
Lamentations reflection/action:  Consider how you have lived out your covenant with God. Have you been faithful? If not, repent, and resolve to do better.
 
Lamentations prayer:  “Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.” (Ps 25:4-5a). Jesus, I rejoice in the salvation you won for me on the cross. Keep me safe from the temptations of Satan. Grant me a clear conscience, as I walk with you. Grant me also the grace to be humble, knowing that I am nothing without you. And bring me to everlasting life with you in heaven. Amen.
 
(You are encouraged to use the book “Forty Days of Lamentations” during this period of Lent 2009. Most of the scripture readings are the same. In case they are not, a supplemental reflection is provided. Let us continue to learn the lessons of Lamentations.)