1st Sunday of Lent Cycle B

Sunday Readings
Commentary and Reflections
1st Sunday of Lent B
February 22, 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Gen 9,8-15
 8 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "See, I
am now establishing my covenant with you and your
descendants after you 10 and with every living creature
that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and
wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark.
11 I will establish my covenant with you, that never again
shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a
flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the
earth.“ 12 God added: "This is the sign that I am giving
for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the
clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me
and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth, and
the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will recall the
covenant I have made between me and you and all living
beings, so that the waters shall never again become a
flood to destroy all mortal beings.
The focus is on the covenant.

God’s covenant with Noah, his sons and living creatures
 8 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "See, I am now
establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after
you 10 and with every living creature that was with you: all the
birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you
and came out of the ark.
God’s covenant which contains his promise not to send flood
again
 11 I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all
bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there
shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.“
Sign of the covenant
 12 God added: "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to
come, of the covenant between me and you and every living
creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a
sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring
clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I
will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all
living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a

Textual Context
Outline of Pre-History (Genesis 1-11)
1. Gen 1,1--2,4a The creation of the world
2. Gen 2,4b--3,24 The creation of man and woman and the expulsion from
paradise
3. Gen 4,1-16 Cain and Abel
4. Gen 4,17-26 The Cainites
5. Gen 5,1-32 The succession of generations in the primeval period
6. Gen 6,1-4 The sons of the gods and the giants
7. Gen 6,5--8,22 The flood
8. Gen 9,1-17.28-29 Blessing and covenant
9. Gen 9,18-27 Noah and his sons
10. Gen 10,1-32 The table of the nations
11. Gen 11,1-9 The Tower of Babel
12. Gen 11,10-26 The Genealogy of Sem

God’s covenant with Noah, his sons and
living creatures
 8 God said to Noah and to his sons with
him: 9 "See, I am now establishing my
covenant with you and your descendants
after you 10 and with every living creature
that was with you: all the birds, and the
various tame and wild animals that were
with you and came out of the ark.
God’s covenant which contains his
promise not to send flood again
 11 I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures
be destroyed by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to
devastate the earth.“
Sign of the covenant
 12 God added: "This is the sign that I am
giving for all ages to come, of the
covenant between me and you and every
living creature with you: 13 I set my bow
in the clouds to serve as a sign of the
covenant between me and the earth. 14
When I bring clouds over the earth, and
the bow appears in the clouds, 15 I will
recall the covenant I have made between
me and you and all living beings, so that
the waters shall never again become a
Commentary
 The word “covenant” is repeated
many times (vv.9,11,12,13,15)
 In vv.8-10, God establishes a
covenant with Noah and his
descendants, including all the
saved living creatures.
 In the covenant, God promises
never again to send the great
flood and not to destroy anyone.
V.11
 In v.12, God assures that he will
keep his promise. He does it
through a sign: bow in the cloud
(v.13).
 The rainbow will remind God of
the covenant, not to destroy
human beings and living
creatures.

Reflections on the first reading
 We, Christians, must realize that many
times destruction is caused by our sins.
 After the destruction is restoration.
 God initiates restoration.
 God rebuilds / re-creates by using good
people, like Noah.
 Are we good people? Can he use us to
rebuild what is destroyed?

 If we think we are not good people, think again,
it is time for us to repent.
 We must repent from: violence, wickedness in
the heart, titanic lust. These are the sins
committed by people before the flood.
 We must show our appreciation for God’s new
creation, by being like him: renewing, re-
creating; also by being like Noah, who is just
and obedient to God’s plan.
 We are also covenanted with him by virtue of our
baptism.
 God promises to protect us from destruction.

Resp. Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.
 R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who
keep your covenant.
 4 Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
 6 Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
7 In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
 8 Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
9 He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.

Resp. Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9.
 R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are
love and truth to those who keep
your covenant.
 4 Your ways, O LORD, make known
to me;
teach me your paths,
5 Guide me in your truth and teach
me,
for you are God my savior.
 6 Remember that your compassion,
O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
7 In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
 8 Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
9 He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
Commentary
 The psalm is classified as individual
lament.
 In vv.4-5, the psalmist prays for the
Lord’s guidance
 God’s ways, God’s paths, God’s
truth
 In v.6, the psalmist recognizes that
God has long been compassionate
and loving.
 In v.7, the psalmist prays to God not
to forget him, out of his kindness
and goodness.
 V.8 affirms God as good and upright.
 As a result, God guides sinners to
holiness.
 V. 9 affirms God guiding the humble
to justice and to God’s way.

Reflections on the Psalm
 We, Christians, must identify God as a
compassionate and loving God.
 He does not want our destruction or perdition.
 We must pray for his guidance so that we may
make wise decisions and have correct values.
 Do you pray to God for guidance? Do you
approach people whom God may be using to
guide you?
 Do you have spiritual director?

2nd Reading: 1 Pet 3,18-22
 18 Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for
the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead
you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was
brought to life in the spirit. 19 In it he also went to
preach to the spirits in prison, 20 who had once
been disobedient while God patiently waited in
the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in
which a few persons, eight in all, were saved
through water. 21 This prefigured baptism, which
saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the
body but an appeal to God for a clear
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the
right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and
powers subject to him. The focus is on Christ’s suffering and death.

Christ’s suffering and death
 18 Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake
of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to
death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.
Christ going down to “sheol” (limbo)
 19 In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, 20
who had once been disobedient while God patiently
waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark,
in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through
water. 21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to
God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the
right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers
subject to him.
A simple outline!

Textual Context
FORMAL DIVISION (Brown)
A. Opening Formula: 1:1-2
B. Body: 1:3--5:11
1:3--2: 10: Affirmation of Christian identity and dignity
2: 11--3:12: Appropriate behavior for bearing good witness in a
pagan world
3: 13--5: 11: Christian behavior in the face of hostility
C. Concluding Formula: 5:12-14.

Christ’s suffering and death
 18 Christ suffered for sins
once, the righteous for the
sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to
God. Put to death in the
flesh, he was brought to life
in the spirit.
Christ going down to “sheol”
(limbo)
 19 In it he also went to
preach to the spirits in
prison, 20 who had once
been disobedient while God
patiently waited in the days
of Noah during the building
of the ark, in which a few
persons, eight in all, were
saved through water. 21
This prefigured baptism,
which saves you now. It is
not a removal of dirt from
the body but an appeal to
God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, 22 who has
gone into heaven and is at
the right hand of God, with
angels, authorities, and
powers subject to him.
Commentary
 V.18 talks about Jesus, the righteous, who
suffers once, and dies for the unrighteous
(v.18).
 His physical death has a purpose: to bring
us to God (v.18).
 By his death, he himself is put back to life
(resurrected). (theological passive, no mention
of the actor God)
 Jesus’ death brings him to the netherworld
to preach to the once disobedient people.
Vv.19-20.
 Vv.19-20 recall some details about the flood
during Noah’s time.
 In V.21, the floodwater prefigures (predicts)
the water of baptism that saves.
 The water of baptism cleanses not the body,
but the conscience.
 It is made possible through the resurrection
of Jesus, who has ascended into heaven.

Reflections on the second reading
 Jesus has done a lot of favors to all of us through
his suffering and death.
 To save the unrighteous
 To save the disobedient
 To cleanse us from guilt
 What is our response?
 We take the cue from the meaning of our baptism.
 Through baptism, we enter into a covenant (alliance,
contract, friendship, special relationship) with God.
 According to our catechism, we put our faith in God.
In him alone do we trust.
 We avoid the seductions of the devil (Satan).
 The devil (evil personified) is a great distorter. He
says it is good when it is actually bad and vice versa.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,12-15
Jesus in the desert
 12 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, 13 and he remained
in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild
beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
Jesus proclaims the gospel
 14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming
the gospel of God: 15 "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of
God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
The focus is on repentance.
A simple outline!
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.“ – Mk 1,15

Textual Context
 Mark 1,1 The Title
 Mark 1,2-3 Prophesy
 Mark 1,4-8 John the Baptist and the people
 Mark 1,9-11 John the Baptist and Jesus
 Mark 1,12-13 Temptations of Jesus
 Mark 1,14-15 First Words of Jesus
 Mark 1,16-20 Call of the First Disciples
 Mark 1, 21-28 Jesus in Capernaum / Exorcism
 Mark 1, 29-31 Healing Peter’s mother-in-law

Gospel Reading: Mark 1,12-15
Jesus in the desert
 12 The Spirit drove
Jesus out into the
desert, 13 and he
remained in the desert
for forty days, tempted
by Satan. He was
among wild beasts,
and the angels
ministered to him.
Jesus proclaims the
gospel
 14 After John had been
arrested, Jesus came
to Galilee proclaiming
the gospel of God: 15
"This is the time of
fulfillment. The
kingdom of God is at
hand. Repent, and
believe in the gospel."
Commentary
 After the baptism of Jesus, he is driven out
into the desert by the Spirit. V.12
 V.13 indicate the number of days he
remains in the desert (40 days).
 40 days recall the 40 years of the Israelites
in the desert.
 There Satan tempts him. (literally, was
[always] tempting Him)
 V.13 also mentions the company of Jesus:
the wild beasts and the angels.
 V.14 tells what happens right after his stay
in the desert.
 He goes to Galilee and proclaims the gospel
of God.
 V.15 explicitates what the gospel of God is:
 This is the time of fulfillment… kingdom of
God is at hand…
 Repent, and believe in the gospel.

Reflections on the gospel reading
 Imagine the tremendous effort of Jesus in wrestling
with the devil for 40 days in the desert.
 Jesus emerges victorious, so that afterwards, he
proclaims right away the “gospel of God” in Galilee
(his victory over evil / coming of God’s kingdom).
 The proper response to his proclamation is:
repentance and faith in him (belief in his story).
 Our story is different from that of Jesus. Our story is
that of always falling into temptation.
 Repentance / believing in the gospel means rejecting
the schemes of the devil and belonging to the
kingdom of God. You also have to exert tremendous
effort.

Tying the three readings and the Psalm
 The 1st reading talks of the covenant of God with Noah,
in which God promises never to send the deluge again.
 The psalm shows appreciation of a repentant to God’s
loving guidance.
 The 2nd reading recalls the deluge as a pre-figuration of
our baptism (cleansing, repentance), where we promise
to abide by God’s rules, not Satan’s.
 The gospel reading invites us to repent, and to believe
in His story about to unfold.
We focus on repentance being in the season of Lent.

How to develop your homily /sharing
 The Season of Lent is a time of repentance, in
preparation for a joyful celebration of Easter.
 What is repentance?
 Based on the first reading, repentance is turning
away from violent and destructive behavior.
 Just as God promises never to send the flood
again, so must we promise not to commit
injustices and immoralities again, so as not to
earn the ire of God.

 Based on the second reading, repentance is
cleansing ourselves of sin and guilt, to become
godly, through the suffering and death of Jesus.
 Repentance is being obedient to God from now
on.
 Repentance is appreciating the meaning of our
baptism (living as children of God with dignity and
freedom).

 Based on the gospel reading, repentance is
constantly listening to the call of Jesus, who
knows how to contain evil.
 Jesus calls us to repentance, because we are
not like him.
 We are not that strong in the midst of trials.
 When we are tested (tempted), we easily give in,
for lack of spiritual principles.

 When provoked, we become offensive and utter
nasty words. We show our pangs.
 When enticed to possess more property, to be
more glamorous, and to be more famous, we
abandon our loved ones and moral principles.
 We betray our friends and our God. We don’t
communicate with them any more. There is no
more intimacy.

 We can only repent when we admit we have
done something wrong, truly wrong…
 Repentance presumes admission of sin and
guilt.
 Those who say they are doing ok, they have not
hurt anyone, they have not offended anyone,
they are not aware of any sin, and, therefore,
they don’t feel the need to repent.
 These are the people whose conscience has not been
formed.
 They have not examined their lives well. They lack
sensitivity.
 They are self-righteous.
 They imply that they are right and God is wrong.

 We, Christians, can repent only when we
admit our sinfulness and that God is holy
and awesome.
 Admission of our commissions, omissions,
shortcomings, excesses, lack of love and
affection, lack of charity, self-centered lives,
greed, and laziness to pray, paves the way to
repentance and conversion.

 The eucharist is the gift of God for the repentant
sinner.
 The eucharist strengthens us in following the
footsteps of Jesus that always invite us to
repent.
 The eucharist strengthens us in our fight against
evil.
 The eucharist prepares us best for Easter.

Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Unrepentant sinners
 Hardened criminals
 Backsliders
 Self-righteous
 Always putting the
blame on others.
 Weak to resist
temptations
 Loose morals
 Repentant sinner
 Meaningful baptism
 Does not give in to
seductions and
enticements of anyone
 Living with principles
 Does not compromise
with evil
 Sacrament of confession
 Contrite heart, improves
behavior

Suggested Songs
 Panginoon, maawa ka
 http://youtu.be/ZIc52L3EEeE
 Lord, I Lift up My Soul, for the Psalm
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4alK0eWGCA
 Paano Namin Masasabi
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICZUOf_jNo
 For the Year of the Consecrated Life
 http://youtu.be/WSdH5sZIMdM
You can read my article in the Sambuhay for this Sunday.

1st Sunday of Lent Cycle B

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