Drumragh Parish, Derry Diocese, Ireland.

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Sunday, 26th February 2012

First Sunday of Lent

First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
God’s covenant with Noah after he had saved him
from the waters of the flood.

Second Reading: Peter 3:18-22
That water is a type of the baptism which saves you now.

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15
Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels looked after him.

Sunday, 26th February 2012

First Sunday of Lent

Jesus said: “Repent and believe the Good News”. At the beginning of Lent, this call of Christ sets the agenda for the next six weeks. The first thing we have to do is ‘repent’. What does that mean for us? It simply means ‘let go’ – let go of the things and the ways of living that limit our freedom to love God with our whole heart and strength and our neighbour as ourselves. Secondly Christ calls us to ‘believe the Good News’. This means to live the Good News, to practice being happy, to bring joy and peace and healing to all those we live with and those we meet. This obviously has huge implications for married couples in their relationship; for families in their life together; and for every faith community. Lent is not just about giving things up but rather about changing in ways that will bring life to others. Six weeks practice should make a profound difference to our lives.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Lord,
take my small offering of self-denial this Lent,
as a sign of my great longing for you.
I hunger for your presence in my life, and I thirst for your love.
I hunger for justice for those who are wronged and oppressed,
and I thirst for your peace.
I hunger for a glimpse of your glory,
and I thirst for your stillness in my heart.
God of giving, God of longing, God of pain, I hunger for you.