Homily Helper Walking 40 Days of Lent with Joy Liturgical Day/Year:
Readings:
First Sunday of Lent Reflections Year A
Genesis 2:79, 3:17 Psalm 51:36; 1214,17 Romans 5:1219 Gospel Matthew 4:111
Homily Helper:
Written by:
This resource is meant to help homilists to Deacon Leonel Yoque prepare themselves during lent using quotes from the Sundays’ readings, and, walking with Pope Francis reflecting on some of his teachings from his Apostolic Exhortation The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium). Topics from the EG Chapter Two: ● ●
Temptations of Today’s World and Temptations Faced by Pastoral Workers
First Sunday of Lent (Year A)
Ashes have surely gone from our foreheads by now. How long did they help us to remember oneness with the earth and all humanity, to turn from sin and believe, to follow the ways of Jesus, cross included, as prevailing love? Matthew 4 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ● He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
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Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down ● “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” Jesus was tempted by the devil as we are tempted in today’s world. Some temptations of today’s world: In the EG Pope Francis states that before taking up some basic questions related to the work of evangelization, it may be helpful to mention briefly the context in which we all have to live and work. The hearts of many people are gripped by fear and desperation, even in the socalled rich countries. The joy of living frequently fades, lack of respect for others and violence are on the rise, and inequality is increasingly evident. It is a struggle to live and, often, to live with precious little dignity. (EG 52) Let’s take some time to reflect on how we find ourselves trapped in temptations of the modern world. Are we in any way collaborating in any of the “new and often anonymous kinds of power”? What do we have to say to the following?
“Yes or No”
An economy of exclusion? The new idolatry of money? A financial system which rules rather than serves? The inequality which spawns violence?
“Yes or No”. “Yes or No” “Yes or No” “Yes or No”
Matthew 4 Jesus said (to the tempter) in reply: ● “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” ● You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” ● “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” In the EG Chapter two Pope Francis states that as Christians we need to recognize God’s plan (spirit of good), and to discern, rejecting the spirit of evil. We need to distinguish clearly what might be a fruit of the kingdom from what runs counter to God’s plan. This involves not only recognizing and discerning spirits, but also and this is decisive choosing movements of the spirit of good and rejecting those of the spirit of evil. (EG 51) Some Temptations faced by pastoral workers: Pope Francis is grateful for all those who are committed to working in and for the Church, however, Pope Francis would like to call attention to certain particular temptations which affect pastoral workers. (cf. EG 76)
Let’s take some time to reflect on how we find ourselves trapped in temptations which affect pastoral work and on how much we are open to the joy of evangelization. As members of the church, what do we have to say to the following? Are we: Open to the challenge of a missionary spirituality? “Yes or No” Selfishness and spiritual sloth? “Yes or No” Sterile pessimism? “yes or No” New relationships brought by Christ? “yes or No” Spiritual worldliness? “yes or No” Warring among ourselves? “yes or No” Pastoral workers can thus fall into a relativism which, whatever their particular style of spirituality or way of thinking, proves even more dangerous than doctrinal relativism….Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary enthusiasm! Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of evangelization! (EG 80 81) Some resist giving themselves over completely to mission and thus end up in a state of paralysis and acedia. (EG 81) The evils of our world and those of the Church must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and our fervour. Let us look upon them as challenges which can help us grow. (EG 84) …”it is starting from the experience of this desert, from this void, that we can again discover the joy of believing, its vital importance for us men and women. In the desert we rediscover the value of what is essential for living; thus in today’s world there are innumerable signs, often expressed implicitly or negatively, of the thirst for God, for the ultimate meaning of life. And in the desert people of faith are needed who, by the example of their own lives, point out the way to the Promised Land and keep hope alive” (EG 86) Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 Lets begin our journey as we pray in Our Father prayer: Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil……...And please restore our Joy of been Missionaries! A Joy which is shared!
