Jesus Begins Lent with A Rematch with The Devil
Judy, rushed into the kitchen and said, “Mommy, Jesus must be a lot like grandma.” Confused, mommy replied, “How’s that Judy?” “Today Fr. Mark said, ‘If we tell Jesus we’re truly sorry for what we do wrong, then Jesus forgets it, like nothing happened.’”
Mommy responded, “How’s that like grandma?” “Well,” continued Judy, “after I say I’m sorry for yelling at my younger sister, Jackie, Grandma always says ‘Okay let’s say we’re sorry, and forget about it, and play nice again.’ Then Grandma gives us each a cookie.” Judy pauses, looks quizzically at her mother asking, “Do you think Jesus gives cookies too?” Her mother answers, “Maybe!”
As Judy will find out, Jesus gives all believers more than a cookie. As the Lenten season moves closer, it reveals some breaking news about our faith. It reminds us that sin wasn’t meant to be dead center in the creation story. God never planned it this way. Sin is a result of humanity’s weakness. When Adam turned his back on his creator, it was an act of betrayal. His disobedience undid everything God dreamed for his creation. St. Paul states: “For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation, but it is Jesus who acquired our acquittal.”
Lent’s beginning story is a scene of Jesus having a rematch with the devil. Jesus, wearing Adam’s weaknesses, is tempted by this same culprit, only this time Jesus conquers him. Lent’s hope-filled lesson is communicated officially here. The devil, the bully that he is, can be defeated.
Although the devil uses every means possible to gain that same triumph from Jesus, only now, and every time hereafter when Jesus is confronted by this sneaky serpent, Jesus will be victorious. And Lent teaches all of us this great lesson too.
It is Christ’s nearness and his name, JESUS, that will always outsmart the devil. Lent reminds creation of this to give us the courage to renew and begin again. This Lent we will journey weekly with the RCIA candidates preparing for Baptism and Confirmation. Their pilgrimage rallies our entire church community to open its heart to God’s endless mercy and answer God’s call to holiness.
Meanwhile, God invites all of his son’s disciples to walk with Jesus to Jerusalem. There Jesus fulfills his mission, wipes the stain of creation’s betrayal away, restores our original destiny to live with Jesus and the entire heavenly community in God’s household forever.
