General. We are trudging on in Lent, hopefully, in penance and repentance. Yet this does not mean that Lent is a time to think only of the Passion and Death of Jesus, ignoring his resurrection and ascension to the Father. All these events together constitute the celebration of the Eucharist which is a Divine Mystery and Liturgy in itself reminiscent of the central events of the Paschal Triduum towards which we are heading. By listening to God’s Word we will be purifying our soul to be able to encounter His Christ face to face in our individual resurrection event.

Genesis. Back to the early history of Salvation and the story of God’s unilateral pact with man. Out of His eternal mercy God wants to save man, His creation endowed with a soul, and notwithstanding man’s falls God is always there stretching out His hand to save him. Like Abraham, during our long journey of faith we might be tiresome and incredulous at times, and that is the time when God sustains us with His Word, Jesus, and encourages us to walk on to see the promises of faith.

Epistle to the Philippians. Keep steadfast in the Lord and do not waver, St Paul urges. It is a time for fasting, for renegating self and opulence and preparing for the Second Coming of the Lord. He will carry us from death to life, giving us victory in His Cross unlike those who become its enemies because out of their free will they choose to follow their passions and lack the temperance which is required by Christian virtue. Paul is a good example of how to live such life, adapting himself to circumstances around him – anything but sin.

St Luke. Jesus’ death in Jerusalem was the topic of conversation with the two biblical figures on Mount Tabor during the Transfiguration. A fitting theme indeed during Lent when the Church wants to remind us that the Paschal Triduum which is soon to follow is in accomplishment of Scripture, as represented by the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), which foretold all that which the Messiah (My chosen Son) had to pass through.

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