Welcome to Lent. It is a season that has developed from the earliest days of Christianity. Initially there was a pre-Easter fast. Later fast grew to 40 days. During the same time the church developed extended initiation processes for catechumens, those preparing for baptism at Easter. For centuries there were these two movements: a communal penitential aspect and preparation for baptism at the Easter celebration.
As centuries passed the emphasis shifted away from the more public ecclesial preparations for Easter to a focus on individual practices. Vatican II called for a return to themes of baptism and communal conversion through hearing the Word of God. We journey through Lent encouraged by our catechumens (and candidates hoping for full communion). Their desire to join our community of faith gives us hope for our future and reminds us of the treasures we have received through our baptism.
Lent will turn our hearts and minds to Easter, but will also keep Pentecost before us — not just as a singular feast, but the event of the Spirit’s permanently coming to dwell among us. In fact, Luke’s narration of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert begins by reminding us that it was the Spirit that led Jesus into the desert. That Spirit never left him during his temptations, through his entire ministry, death on the cross and resurrection.
Lent is not a sealed capsule, just a 40-day time of strict observance. Rather, the catechumens in our parish remind us we are also in a process of enlightenment. The Spirit of Pentecost is already with us through this communal period of renewal. Throughout our Lenten observances the Spirit will help us turn from sin, receive new life at Easter and then, as it was for the gathered disciples at Pentecost, the Spirit will drive us out to be witnesses to Christ’s life, death and resurrection.
The Deuteronomy reading awakens our memory. Our Judeo-Christian tradition is rooted in historical events. When Moses gathered the people he reminded them of the wonderful things God had done by delivering them from slavery in Egypt. By the community’s recalling God’s actions on their behalf in the past, each new generation would be united together in celebration. Memory of God’s powerful acts would also give the people hope during present trials. If God once came to their aid then God can again help them in present difficulties.
After Moses reminds the people of God’s marvelous actions they bring gifts to the altar to express their gratitude and rededication to God. Which is what we do again at each Eucharist. First, we hear the Word of God and recall God’s saving acts through Jesus Christ. Then we bring our gifts of bread and wine to the altar, symbolizing our gratitude for what God has done and our rededication to our active and present God.
In his letter to the Romans Paul proclaims the heart of the Good News. Like Moses he refreshes our memory and reminds us of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. After hearing “the word of faith” we come to the altar with our gifts. They represent our rededication.
We could read Luke’s account of Jesus’ temptations in the desert as a once-and-for-all event. That, after he passed the hurdles proposed by the tempter, he got on with his mission. As if to say, “That’s that. What’s next?” But another way to see the temptation account is as Luke’s way to summarize the temptations Jesus faced throughout his life, all the way up to the cross.
He would be tempted to use his powers to take care of himself, prove his identity by performing astounding signs and make alliances with political and military powers to get himself and his message across. A clue that Jesus faced temptations more than once in the course of his ministry was what happened on the road to Caesarea Philippi. When he spoke to his disciples about his upcoming persecution and death Peter wanted none of that and Jesus silenced him, “Get behind me Satan….” This time the tempter was one of his intimates, Simon Peter.
It is encouraging to know that Jesus not only shared our human nature but, like us, was subject to temptations. In the course of our daily lives we too face temptations to put comfort and material possessions over the sacrifices involved in being a disciple. We get sidetracked and lose sight of what and who are important in our lives. None of our ordinary experiences at home, work, and recreation seem to be without basic temptations to our identity as Christians and our relationship with God.
Remember that Vatican II shifted the focus of Lent back to a strong emphasis on baptism and communal conversion. Luke continually emphasizes the role of the Spirit throughout Jesus’ life. Through our baptism we, the church, also experience the Spirit. The Spirit strengthened Jesus when he was tempted and endured trials and the Spirit also helps us resist evil and turn our attention away from our own interests to serve human need wherever we meet it.
We hear the Word of God and remember God’s wonderful acts on our behalf. Then, symbolized by the bread and wine, we offer ourselves again at the altar. Through the work of the Holy Spirit our gifts and our lives are transformed into the body and blood of the Lord. Nourished by God in Word and Sacrament we leave our celebration to return to our world and receive help overcoming the daily temptations and trials that attempt to draw us away from our lives dedicated, through baptism, to our God and neighbor.