BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (# 15)
First Sunday of Lent, Year B – March 9, 2003

“Fidelity to the Covenant”

 

BIBLE READINGS:
Gn 9:8-15 // I Pt 3:18-22 // Mk 1:12-15

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS 

I cannot forget a “Dear Abby” letter I read in the newspaper, Staten Island Sunday Advance, dated January 26, 2003. The letter came from a married woman who cheated on her husband “because it seemed exciting.” When the husband learned about the affair, he became depressed and moved out. He said he “couldn’t do it anymore,” he couldn’t respect her, couldn’t love her, and couldn’t get certain images out of his head. She apologized and begged him to come back, but he was cold as ice. Abby responded to the repentant wife, who wrote under the pen name, “Woke Up Too Late in Little Rock” in the following words: “I’m sorry, but there are no magic words that can turn back the clock. The only magic I can see is that in your hunger for excitement, you made your marriage disappear in a puff of smoke. I hope your sad story serves as a cautionary example to others who are contemplating an affair. There is no such thing as a free love. What you’re paying now is the ‘amusement’ tax.” 

Indeed, there are so many sad stories of infidelity to a covenant. As we embark on a renewed spiritual journey in the season of Lent, let us focus our attention on Jesus, the model of covenantal fidelity, that we may draw inner strength and grace to resist temptations and be faithful. 

The story of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan precedes the account of his temptation in the wilderness (cf. Mk 1: 9-13) and the beginning of his Galilean ministry (cf. Mk 1: 13-15). The Gospel passage of this Sunday, which is composed of the temptation of Jesus and the proclamation of the Kingdom, should be interpreted in the light of the event of his baptism.  Mark presents Jesus as the promised Messiah who comes to baptize with the Spirit. He underlines, moreover, the first phases of his activity as already under the influence of that same Spirit. A very striking thought comes out in the episode of Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan. He who submitted himself humbly to John the Baptist is the object of the divine affirmation: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased” (Mk 1:11). At the Jordan, God declares his special covenantal relationship with Jesus and proclaims him as both “the anointed of the Spirit” and “the Son with whom he is well pleased.” 

The formula of sonship, “my beloved Son” seems puzzling set beside the affirmation, “with you I am well pleased,” which evokes Is 42:1, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” 

The problem is resolved, however, if we take into account that the Greek word, huios in Mark is a version of the word, pais which means “son” or “boy servant.” Jesus, in fact, is both one and the other. He is Yahweh’s chosen Servant because in perfect obedience he would fulfill his messianic mission received at baptism, a mission accomplished through the totality of his life and service which culminated in the paschal mystery of his blessed passion, death on the cross and glorious resurrection. He is at the same time the son in whom the Father delights, this special relationship asserted not only at the Jordan but also at the mount of transfiguration. Indeed, the relationship of the Father with the Son is unique and intimate, we may say, “covenantal.” 

To the Father’s avowal of his rapport with Jesus as his own messianic Servant and beloved Son, Jesus responds by acknowledging his filial relationship with the Father and by accepting unreservedly his vocation-mission as Servant-Messiah. The fact that Mark does not report the different types of temptation brings home all the more the following message which the Church wishes to convey: the uncompromising fidelity of the Son to his covenant or pact of love with the Father. 

The continual and unceasing temptation which assails the Messiah throughout the forty days in the wilderness are directed against the “world” whose salvation was entrusted to him by the Father at baptism. The temptation tries to challenge Jesus’ attitude of servanthood and intimate relationship with the Father. It challenges, moreover, his obedient stance to the exigencies of God’s saving will. 

Amidst the challenges, Jesus remains undaunted and firm. The Son-Servant, in the experience of struggle and crisis of commitment, emerges loyal and victorious. He remains faithful to the covenant or pact of loving service. The totality of his life of ministry and perfect servitude on the cross would confirm the pledge, pact and promise he made at the Jordan. Especially during the Lenten season, the Church rightly presents Jesus as the model of fidelity to our covenantal love-service relationship with God. Indeed, Jesus is the icon of the missionary commitment we have avowed at the sacrament of baptism. 

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART

  1. In this Lenten season of grace, do we focus our eyes on Christ’s covenantal fidelity to God?
  1. Amidst the challenges and temptations against our baptismal vocation, do we imitate Christ who remained faithful to his covenant love with the Father and was totally obedient to his saving will?
  1. Do we trust that the divine love and mercy will never fail for God is ever faithful to the covenant he ratified with us?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD 

  • Leader: O loving and merciful Father, in the baptism at the Jordan, in the heroic strength Jesus showed against the temptation in the wilderness, and in the utmost service of love he offered on the cross, you gave us a pattern of commitment and fidelity to our pact of love with you. In Jesus, your Servant-Son, you continue to renew your saving covenant with us, especially when our moral fibers are weakening. Grant us a listening heart that we may receive your Word with faith and thus be strengthened in our commitment to be a leaven of conversion and transformation in a world that cries out for your saving love. You live and reign forever and ever. 

  • Assembly: Amen. 

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD 

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.

“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan…. The angels ministered to him.” (Mk 1: 12-13) 

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION

A.     ACTION PLAN: Pray for persons who are severely tempted against their baptismal vocation.

B.     ACTION PLAN: Carry out the Lenten fasting, not only with regards to food, but also with the right use of the means of social communication. Reach out to the poor and hungry by contributing the fruit of your fasting to FOOD FOR THE POOR, 550 SW 12th Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-9855, or any other charitable organization.

 

Prepared by: Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang, PDDM

SISTER DISCIPLES OF THE DIVINE MASTER
60 Sunset Ave.,
Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. (718) 494-8597 or (718) 761-2323
Website: WWW.PDDM.US

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