Collect First Sunday Lent Yr B

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

The Collect for the First Sunday of Lent Year B reads as follows:

Let us pray,

Grant almighty God,
through the yearly observances of holy Lent, 

that we may grow in understanding

 of the riches hidden in Christ

 and by worthy conduct pursue their effect.

through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, 

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit 

one God, for ever and ever.

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.            What is our attitude towards the season of Lent?

2.            What are the riches hidden in Christ?

3.            How may I grow in understanding of these riches hidden in Christ?

4.            What are the effects of the riches hidden in Christ?

5.            What areas of my life are not completely worthy conduct?

6.            What is my spiritual goal for this Lenten season and how will I achieve
           this goal?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the northern hemisphere, Lent coincides with springtime and in fact, the word itself probably came from the old English lencten meaning the lengthening of the days that occur in spring. Spring offers the possibility of new life and when hearts lift from the dreariness of the winter season. Lent offers the opportunity to renew and reawaken the life of the spirit, which can make it a season of joy, despite the penitential nature of Lent.

Those of us who live in the southern hemisphere do not have the advantage of the season of spring to accompany us on our journey have a different season- late summer going into autumn. Autumn is a season of a change of colour, where the trees lose their green leaves and turn all sorts of beautiful colours. It is also a time when we can have cool nights so we can sleep better and be refreshed.  

Therefore, autumn to me, is an ideal time for Lent as I like to think of Lent as a season to change colour. It is a season to change from mediocrity in our spiritual lives to bursting forth with a change of colour (change of heart) to be the beautiful colour God has instilled in us.  It is a time to lose our leaves (sins and bad habits) and allow the grace of God turn our leaves (souls) into something beautiful to behold. It is a time to sleep well at night and allow God's grace to refresh our whole being.

In today's Gospel of Mark, his writing is succinct regarding the Temptations as compared to Matthew or Luke.  He refers to them as Temptations rather than being specific.  This is useful for us as it covers all the temptations we encounter.  The other interesting phrase not to overlook is '' and the angels looked after Him"'. Why is this phrase important?  It means that as Jesus was tempted, He was looked after by the angels.  It is also interesting to note that both at the beginning of Jesus Ministry and at the end of HIs ministry in the agony of the garden, He is looked after by the angels. 
What is important for us is that when we are tempted that we can call on our guardian angel to help us in our time of temptation.  We are not alone since Jesus is there with us in our time of temptation. We can call on the angels to assist us.  We need to place our trust in God.

So whether we live in the northern or southern hemisphere, the message of Jesus is still the same which we hear in today's Gospel "Repent and believe the Good News". 

May we all move into the First Week of Lent with renewed effort to change our hearts.