We have entered a new period of what is called the liturgical year.
We are now in the Season of Lent – a season rich in meaning.
In the gospel text of this 1st Sunday (Mk.1:13-15), we hear Jesus tell us:
“The time has come.”
The time of what? The time for what?
Jesus answers:
“The kingdom of God has come near.”
We are often told to turn to God, to go to him, to be near him.
We are reminded that this Lenten period is meant for that.
What if we changed the perspective, turn it right around to…
allow God to come near to us?…
What if… Lent was the time to… allow God to come near to us?…
This is what he wanted from the very beginning when he created human beings.
He wanted to live in a relationship of proximity, of intimacy with us –
this is the meaning of the 1st reading where we see God making a special alliance with his people (Gn.9:8-15).
A time to allow God to come near to us so that he may pour into our lives all that he wants to bless us with!
Of course, we must believe it, believe HIM.
Of course, we must ‘repent’ – this is part of the process of freeing some space in us so as to be able to receive all that he is offering!
What an offering that is!
Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/1er-dimanche-du-careme-annee-b-2021/