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Temptation of Christ by Duccio |
By Julie Musselman
Last year the rector of our Cathedral, at the beginning of Lent, gave
me an overview of Lent. He summarized each of the gospels for the six
weeks. In all my life I had never looked at the whole of Lent. It really
helped me see the bigger picture of this beautiful time that we can
grow in holiness. And so here is my attempt to share that birds-eye
view. This year we use the B Lectionary cycle for the gospels. Year B
focuses on the gospel of St. Mark, but the Sundays in Lent include
passages from the other gospels as well.
The
first Sunday of Lent: The Temptation in the Desert. The temptation of
our Lord takes place at the beginning of His 3 years of public ministry.
Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days. Then he set out to be about the
business of His Father. Just as Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40
days, we share that journey on a lesser scale during Lent.
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The Transfiguration |
The
second Sunday of Lent: The Transfiguration. The story of the
Transfiguration, Mark chapter 9, takes place towards the end of the
three year public ministry before Jesus goes up to Jerusalem to be
crucified. The Transfiguration was to show Jesus' closest friends and
followers, Peter, John and James, a glimpse of His glory. They would
sure need it during the darkness of this trial, crucifixion and burial.
The
third Sunday of Lent: The Cleansing of the Temple. This event took
place early in Jesus' public ministry as recorded in the gospel of St
John, chapter 2. In this reading Jesus says "destroy this temple and in
three days I will rebuild it." This is to foretell his death and
resurrection. In this story Jesus is talking to His own people, the
Jews.
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Christ instructing Nicodemus, Hendricksz 1604 |
The
fourth Sunday of Lent: Jesus tells Nicodemus in John chapter 3 that
just as the bronze serpent was lifted up, so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, so that all who believe in Him might have eternal life.
Perhaps the most well known verse in all of scripture is John 3:16 "for
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Here again, Jesus is
predicting His crucifixion.
The
fifth Sunday of Lent: The Hour has Come. John 12:20 begins with the
fact that some Greeks (non-Jews) also came to worship and they wished to
see Jesus. And at that request Jesus says "the hour has come." Now that
people outside of the Jews are seeking Jesus, it is time for very
purpose of His life, His death and resurrection, to save the entire
world.
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Entry into Jerusalem
by Pedro Orrente, 1620 |
The
sixth Sunday of Lent, Palm Sunday: The Triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Mark 11:1-10 is read at the beginning of the mass. Then at the usual
time of the gospel in the liturgy of the word, we read the full passion
narrative from Mark 14. Jesus is received in Jerusalem for the Passover
feast as the King He truly is, and less than a week later, all the
tables have turned and He has been crucified.
The Church in her wisdom gives
us these precious six weeks to ponder the events of Jesus' life.
Consider meditating on each weeks gospel during the week to more fully
to become conformed to Christ.
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