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'Dying to Life' (Lent, a journey to Easter & beyond)
Lent One - March 9th
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1Peter 3: 18-22
Mark 1:9-15
We are a Covenant people - during Lent we will look at the promises God has made to each one of us. Promises of love and forgiveness. Promises of wholeness for all creation. Promises of life beyond death. We will also look at promises we have made, in response to God's great love for us. On this first Sunday in Lent, we reflect on the temptations of this world which test our obedience to God, and to God's covenant. Like Christ during his wilderness experience, we are faced by the reality of making choices. Choices which call us to be obedient to God's plan or to give in to what appears to be the easy way. We think of the pressures upon our lives to choose recognition, power, comfort and ease.
Genesis....
The story of God's covenant which is noted for today is the conclusion of a great epic that began in the sixth chapter of Genesis, and the version of the flood story which we read today was recorded during the Babylonian exile. The rainbow becomes a sign of God's enduring faithfulness to an unfaithful people - a symbol of a life giving promise, that continues to echo through the ages.
Psalm....
Also speaks of enduring faithfulness.
Peter....
The author encouraging believers to stand firm, reminds the gentile-Christians to whom he is writing, that just as those who came through the flood waters in Noah's time found life, so those who come through the waters of baptism are joined with Christ in new life.
Mark....
Jesus' baptism and time of testing perfect kick off points for his public ministry. Note that Mark does not give details of the temptation. Rather hold onto the Greek word peirasmos which simply means examining or testing one's character. Whatever the nature of the ordeal, Jesus emerges after 40 days ready to proclaim the good news that God's new era in Christ has begun!
Questions to consider....
What does the flood story and the image of the rainbow mean to you in the context of Lent?
- Where else do you see signs of God's promise and hope?
- What does 'covenant' mean to you?
- How do you respond to the significance of this covenant being made with 'all living things'?
- Has your understanding of the story of the temptation of Jesus changed as your faith has developed - how?
- What are the wilderness/desert places you go to when you want to be alone with God?
Prayer for today.... [based on Psalm 25:1-10]
In trust we come to you, our God.
Teach us we pray, how you view the world,
how you see humankind, your perception of us.
so that we may see each other, and humankind,
and your world, as you see them.
And then, we can act in new ways in your world,
with humankind, for each other.
.....forgive us we pray the errors we make
which only serve to inhibit our growth.
Remind us again of your kindness and constant love
which open new ways for us to relate to each other -
in kindness, and with love.
Instill in us respect for all your creatures,
so that we can act with integrity with your world,
and so follow the path that leads to life. Amen.
Music....
- Touch the earth lightly - AA 143
- God's rainbow covenant - [Tune WOV 163 Diademata
God's rainbow covenant
is shared with humankind
that we may know God's promises
in heart and soul and mind.
God's rainbow covenant
assures us we can trust
in God's salvation, freely given,
with mercy, kind and just.
God's rainbow covenant
now calls us to repent
that we may not be put to shame
when truly penitent.
God's rainbow covenant,
says God, in steadfast love,
remembers not our former sins,
but points our thoughts above.
God's rainbow covenant
is meant to teach God's way
of faithfulness and loving care
as God transforms each day.
God's rainbow covenant
includes Christ's sacrifice,
that we may claim new life today:
God's offer, without price.