The Mountain of Lent

Readings for Saturday of the First Week of Lent

The readings over the last few days have been very challenging. It seems as though we are not only walking through the desert of Lent but climbing the mountain of Lent as well.

Yesterday we were told that not only is it wrong to kill but even to call another “fool” can subject us to the fires of hell. Today we are told to not only love our neighbor but our enemy as well. The incline increases with each day and the bar is raised.

Yet, isn’t this what following Christ means? Aren’t you and I suppose to stand out to the rest of the world by our words and deeds? Could it be that the incline has not necessarily increased but that we have truly begun to climb in earnest?

Next week we will be challenged to be humble and take the lowest place. We will be challenged to stop judging others. We will be challenged to charity and faithfulness. Yet the Lord will give us rest and hope when He establishes His Church upon the Rock! And we will be given encouragement to continue the climb with the story of the prodigal son.

Our path through Lent is not an easy one, thank God. And our climb will certainly lead us to Calvary where we, who have lived with Christ, will suffer and die with Chirst fully trusting that we will also rise with Christ!

Responsorial Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,w
ho seek him with all their heart.

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I have learned your just ordinances.
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!