Reflection for March 5, 2017

First Sunday of Lent
GN 2:7-9; 3:1-7
PS 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
ROM 5: 12-19 or ROM 5:12, 17-19
MT 4:4B
MT 4:1-11

We embark on this Lenten journey of 40 days as a community of faith so that we might grow together in our relationship with God. We pray, sacrifice, fast and serve—together—to build up the Body of Christ—here and now.

We need each other to make this Lent really matter. My praying, sacrificing, fasting and serving matters most if it is done together. It is only together this Lent has the potential to turns us towards those life-giving relationships that build up the Body of Christ—here and now.

There is a strong temptation enforced by the world around us to do it alone. We must be strong, independent and conquer it all.  We might do very well flying solo. We might even become a big success. Or we might fail big. In the end though, success or failure, there will be something missing for God created us in relationship for relationship.  The successes and failures of life are better together.

Jesus didn’t face his temptations alone. He was always in perfect relationship with his Father and the Spirit. And he found imperfect friends to journey with him—he faced life and death—together. Let’s follow his path this Lent so we might do it together. Let’s be bold so our praying, sacrificing, fasting and serving together might help contribute to building up God’s Kingdom. Our Families, Our Church, Our SLU, our City, Our Nation, Our World needs us together.

Fr. Justin Daffron, SJ is Assistant to the President.