First Sunday of Lent

Mass Readings

• First Reading Genesis 9:8-15
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
• Second Reading 1 Peter 3:18-22
• Gospel Mark 1:12-15

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

Step Into the Story

After the flood God makes a covenant not only with Noah but with every living creature, the first covenant the Bible names. Its sign is a bow in the clouds. In the ancient Near East a bow was a weapon of war; God hangs His up in the sky, and the war is over. First Peter, likely written from Rome, which the letter calls “Babylon,” sees the ark as a picture of baptism: eight people saved through water.

1. 6 A.D.Rome rules Judea directly
2. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
3. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
4. c. 28 A.D.John baptizes at the Jordan
5. This week’s scene: c. 28 A.D.Forty days in the wilderness

Now follow Jesus from the Jordan, in the reign of Tiberius, probably 28 A.D. Mark says the Spirit “drives” Him out into the wilderness, probably the barren Judean hills that fall away toward the Dead Sea. Climb with Him into a land of chalk and flint, dry gullies and naked ridges, with no shade and no water. Feel the sun on the rock by day and the cold that settles at night.

Mark adds a detail no other Gospel gives: He was “among wild beasts.” Wolves, hyenas and leopards likely still roamed these hills. Listen in the dark for the jackals. Forty days: Moses on Sinai, Elijah walking to Horeb, Israel’s forty years in the desert. Sit at a distance on the stony ground, keep vigil with Him, and wait.

Encounter the Lord

Go out into the desert with Jesus. Mark gives only a few details: forty days, Satan, wild beasts, angels. Jesus has just heard the Father call Him beloved, and immediately the Spirit drives Him into the wilderness to be tested.

Jesus faced temptation as one of us, and He won where Adam and Israel had failed. Because He conquered, you are not left alone in your own desert. Your Baptism, foreshadowed by the ark carried safely over the flood, joined you to His victory. Lent is your forty days with Him. Temptations will come, but so will the angels. What matters is staying close to Him, in prayer and in the sacraments.

This week, notice one recurring temptation and decide in advance how you will respond to it, with a short prayer, the name of Jesus, or a concrete act of the opposite virtue.

Know Your Faith

The Temptation of Jesus

Driven by the Spirit into the desert, Jesus remained there forty days and was tempted by Satan, who sought to compromise His filial attitude toward God (CCC 538). Jesus is the new Adam who remained faithful where the first Adam gave in, and He fulfills Israel’s vocation perfectly (CCC 539). He vanquished the Tempter for us (CCC 540).

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

The Holy Spirit helps us to distinguish between trials, which help us grow, and temptation, which leads to sin; and between being tempted and consenting (CCC 2847). Victory over temptation is possible only through prayer (CCC 2849).

The Covenant With Noah

After sin shattered human unity, God made a covenant with Noah, which expresses His plan for all the nations (CCC 56). This covenant remains in force until the Gospel is proclaimed to all (CCC 58).

Saved Through Water

The Church has seen in Noah’s ark a figure of salvation by Baptism: a few were saved through water (CCC 1219). The Old Testament figures announce Christ and are fulfilled in Him (CCC 1094).