Today is the First Sunday of Lent, the season of the Church’s year when we prepare for the events of Holy Week and Good Friday. It is a season of reflection and penitence. Today’s Gospel reading from Mark invites us to call to mind Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. All three synoptic Gospels portray Jesus’ ministry beginning with a period of forty days in the wilderness tempted by Satan. Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark’s account does not describe the temptations experienced by Jesus.
The temptations described by Matthew and Luke challenge Jesus to adopt a model of Messiahship which would win power, carry wide public appeal, and not lead to the inevitable cross on Good Friday. In one of these temptations Jesus is challenged to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple. A Messiah who could survive such activities would be guaranteed a following.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited you to reflect on the image of stunt performers. Jesus was being tempted to be a stunt performer, but he resisted that temptation. Today’s picture from the illustrated communion book, The Lord is Here! focuses the note of penitence for the occasions when we have not made the right choices.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you were tempted by Satan,
but Satan did not win.
Stand with us when we are tempted,
that we too may withstand Satan’s tricks;
for you are our God.
Amen.
Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Lent, focuses our attention on how Jesus foretells his death and resurrection to his disciples. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday is the cross. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
Prayer Requests
Would you like to submit a prayer request? You can do so through the prayer for Liverpool website.
Notice Sheet
Would you like to sign up to receive the Cathedral’s weekly notice sheet? You can do so here.
Valentine’s Day Reflections from Liverpool Cathedral