General. Today’s Liturgy reminds us of the saving power of Jesus only if we recognise our sins and make repentance for them. This could be done, especially during this Lenten season, by fasting, praying and almsgiving, which together purify us to celebrate the Paschal Triduum and the Paschal Feast which is now fast approaching.

Exodus. During the first three weeks of Lent priests read the story of the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery under the Paroah. They are led by Moses into the desert, grumbling all the way and pining to go back to the land where they had enjoyed more comfort. Little do they remember what God had done for them, opening the sea before them and delivering them safely to the other shore, so that when Moses went up on Mount Sinai, they forgot their deliverance from sin and went back to their previous idolatry which made them feel more secure. In giving Moses and His people the commandments God spelt out in more tangible terms the meaning of His Pact with them as His chosen ones.

Psalm 18. The Lord’s Commandments enlighten the soul of whosoever wants to lead a good life. The faithful person will then blindly obey God’s will, which becomes the orders he takes from Him after discerning which ways God wants him to tread through. He will also fear the Lord Who has done great things with him in a holy fear and awe which contrasts boldly with the arrogance of modern man.

First Epistle to the Corinthians. This is a short reading but one full of wisdom. The Jewish-Greek culture in which St Paul then lived viewed the Cross on which Christ redeemed us as a scandalous sign and an imprudent folly. Yet for the Christian, Christ was the strength and the wisdom of God, Whose folly is wiser than man, and His weakness stronger than man.

St John. Jesus reminds us that God and Mammon (money) do not stay together. His Father’s house could not be turned into a business den. Yet now, He was the Temple and should they destroy it He would rebuild it in three days. This is a harbinger of the Resurrection. Many believed in Him because they saw signs (what the Jews expected in the Epistle), but Jesus kept aloof of such "faithless" believers since He, Who had come to save, knew well enough sinful man’s inner thoughts and feelings.

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