Entering the Desert
First Sunday of Lent (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 1: 12-15 - The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to fast for forty days. Forty days isn’t just any number of days, nor is the desert just any place. The number forty has much significance for any Jew or early Christian familiar with the Old Testament. It plays a role in the stories of Noah, Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, and Moses. Most significantly, forty was the number of years that the Israelites wandered, because of their sin, between Egypt and the Promise Land. And where did they wander? In the desert.
So Jesus, also led by the Spirit, enters the desert for forty days. He enters the desert of the Israelites—their desert. He also enters our desert. He goes there to confront sin. He goes there to confront Satan. He goes there to fight. What is Jesus fighting for? He’s fighting for His people. He’s fighting for sinners. He’s fighting for us. Jesus comes to the harsh wilderness of our sin in order to find us and to bring us out. In the liturgical season of Lent we are given an opportunity to enter into Christ’s Life. Jesus Christ goes to the desert for forty days to confront our sin. Will we join Him?
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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