1st Sunday of Lent

Our readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent are:

1. Genesis 2: 7-9, 3: 1-7
2. Psalms 51: 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17
3. Romans 5: 12-19
4. Matthew 4: 1-11

• Do these fig leaves make me look fat?
• Self denial is never easy.  We work hard, put in long hours, and we feel that we have some compensation, at least appreciation, coming our way, and ... nothing.
• Have you ever felt robbed by life?  You didn't get what you wanted, maybe even needed, because of some circumstance that you didn't know about at the time, or was out of your control?
• What were you tempted to do in the face of that denial?
• What did you do instead?
• Why was that so hard?

• Finding a clean heart
• A clean heart is not one that is never tempted, but one that never entertains temptations.
• What are some temptations that you often face?
• What is your technique for getting past those?
• How does it make you feel when the same temptations come back again, and again, and again?
• Do you feel as though you're getting anywhere in your faith?

• I'll know it when I see it -
• What really is sin?  Is it a list of things that we must not do, must not think.  Is it attitudes that we must not hold, or rather things that we must do?
• Is it always the case that something that is a sin for you is also sin for me?
• How do you find the sin in your life?
• What do you do about it when you find it?

• Counting on God
• In the normal course of life, God gives us lots of things: shelter, food, clothing, people around us who love us, safety, security, rightful recognition for what we have accomplished, a sense of purpose, ...
• When is any of those things bad?
• How do you tell when you have enough?
• Why are there so many of us who do not have enough of these good things?
• How do we discern a call to help those who are less fortunate

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What in my life is trying to crowd out God?
2. What are my temptations teaching me?
3. When do I find time to seek a better relationship with God?
4. Do I really trust God to give me what I need?

Confession

Father forgive me, for I have sinned.  It's been several months since my last confession.

And what are your sins my son?

I passed a guy with a cardboard sign that said "will work for food" without a second glance.

And how do you know that is sin?

At that moment, I had a mystical experience.  Suddenly I saw him as the man left for dead near Jericho

And you were called to be the Good Samaritan?

Yes.  It was so real.  I could almost smell the camel dung, taste the dust in the air, hear cries for help.

And yet you did nothing.

What color were his eyes?

I don't know, I was in a hurry.

I was afraid.

Of what?

That he would need time, that it would ruin my day, that if I picked him up, he'd stain my upholstery.

So you kept on driving, you ran away.

I'll never find him again.  I've lost my chance to really be holy for once, to follow in Jesus' footsteps.

What do you regret the most?

That it was so easy to just keep going.  I barely felt a twinge, and yet it was so real.

Oh, I'm sure that it was real alright.  For a second, you were connected.

Now what?  I can never go back, never make it up to him, never make it right.

For your penance, I want for you to make a cardboard sign just like that,

And spend a day at that same street corner.

But people will know me.  What if they stop and want to talk to me?

Then tell them why you are there, and that you want to connect.

What if they don't understand?  They'll think that I'm crazy.  What if someone offers me money?

Take it, thank them from the bottom of your heart, and give it to the local homeless shelter, in person.

What's that supposed to accomplish?

It will soften your heart, give you empathy, help you see those in need as human beings.

Come back in a week, after you've done your penance, and let's talk some more.

Shalom!