保土ヶ谷カトリック教会

Scripture; Deuteronomy 26:4-10
              Psalm 91
              Romans 10::8-13
              Luke 4:1-13
 We have entered Lent! Does "Lent" mean to you giving up things like sweets, alcohol, chocolates, sugar, movies etc? To make those sacrifices is good, because we can come to realize that material things are really worthless compared to things of the spirit and spiritual. But do not put full emphasis on "giving up things". Our religion could become merely negative and external. This Lent (while making sacrifices) let us open our hearts to experience the fact that God loves me personally as I am. God gives me His love, understanding and compassion - that is more important than the tiny things I can give Him! Actually we give more by realizing the depth of his love and replying to it.

 Following today's first reading we all can also say:"The Lord hears my voice and sees my misery, my toil and my oppression, and saves me." That is God's love for me.
In Psalm 91 I too can pray "The Lord is my refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust...." The Lord says:"I am with you, I will save you in distress."

 On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes rubbed on our foreheads with the words: "Repent and believe the Gospel." The "Gospel" is the joyful news that God loves each one of us unconditionally. Use the above readings to reflect on that wondrous message. Those words are said with this background:"Never forget that you are dust and onto dust you will return": These words may sound gloomy but they are not.
 We all must die. To run away from this fact of life is not healthy. We may try to suppress the fact that I must die, but it is always there, lurking in the dark depths of my heart. The Gospels, the Church (and most modern physiatrists) say that it is healthy to face one's death. The Scriptures tell us that death is not the end of everything. It is really the beginning of a new wonderful life with God. Death is never the terminal - it is only the transfer station. In Lent we face our death believing totally in this new life with God in Heaven. (The second reading emphasizes Jesus' resurrection and our own). If we truly believe that God's love totally surrounds us, then going home to him in Heaven will be a delight. Jesus experienced temptation, suffering, rejection, betrayal. He travels the road of life by our side - what is there to fear?
"Fear not, I am with you."