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The Rite of Election is usually celebrated on the 1st Sunday of Lent. The Catechumens who have listened to God’s word, responded to His invitation and participated in the life of the faithful community are sent to the Bishop for their election. From now on, their journey of faith is deepened with enlightenment and purification through the three Scrutinies.
Appropriately St Peter mentions in the 2nd Reading about the Sacrament of Baptism that we are saved through the death and resurrection of Christ. Such a statement sounds cut and dried but it is linked to an article of our faith which refers to the “harrowing of hell”. In the Apostles’ Creed, we usually read it as “He descended into hell” but St Peter stated it as “He went to preach to the spirits in prison”. In the context of Christ’s descent into Hades' domain, the rainbow at the end of the Great Deluge, mentioned in the 1st Reading, makes sense. It symbolises that God will no longer use water to destroy mankind. Instead, two points to consider. First, Christ’s descent into hell reveals the distance and the depth the Lord will go to save us. Second, beyond the rainbow, the covenant is now enacted through the Sacrament of Baptism.
The deluge of death will now become the bath of rebirth. Baptism is the new covenant expressing God’s intent to save everyone. For the Elect, the logical conclusion to their Lent is the Easter Vigil where they will receive the Sacraments of Initiation. But for those of us who had been reborn through baptism, Lent becomes a season of renewal. Baptism may have washed away all sins, original and otherwise, yet many may be bogged down by present sins. Thus, renewal is the chance to walk with a God who first chose to walk with us.
Christ walks with us and the Gospel at the start of Lent, narrates His Temptations in the desert. While all the three Synoptic Gospels tell the same story, Mark is rather sparse with details. He merely mentions that Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the desert to be tested and tried by Satan. We know details of Jesus’ temptations via Matthew and Luke.
The temptations are important. Describing Lent as a season of repentance, renewal and revival, suggests that something is not right. Is there a process of renewal for the sake of renewal? For example, whenever a newer product comes online, it is always marketed as a better iteration. Remember the "best ever iPhone" model? The older model may have been good but the latest offering is always better. Otherwise, what is the “newest” for, right?
Likewise in terms of “renewal”, that is, being made new, either through baptism or reconciliation, it is always in terms of leaving behind what is considered to be less good. In other words, no one is baptised if there is no need for a change in direction or no one goes for confession if there is no need for forgiveness.
It is vital to reflect on this because we are speaking of salvation. We are saved from our sins which are the results of our caving in to temptations. Everyone yearns for salvation which is a natural inclination that arises from our brokenness. Yet, we do not give much thought to the role that temptations play in frustrating our salvation.
Satan tried to find weaknesses in Jesus which means that He will try to exploits ours too. But Christ overcame Satan and thankfully in our Lenten arsenal, the three devout practices of the Jews can aid in overcoming temptations. For long as we want to follow Jesus we need to be prepared for we will not be spared Satan’s wrath. He will aim for us the more we desire to follow Him. If you find yourself in a lot of troubles, then you must know that you are in good company with the Lord. For He was not only tested in the desert but throughout His earthly life.
Firstly, during Lent, we fast. A most basic temptation is our desire for instant gratification. Christ was tempted to turn stone into bread. While it is difficult to give up something good for something better, self-denial actually gives us strength to counter Satan’s assault. Secondly, we give alms. Christ was tempted to exercise His status by lording over the angels. He could have thrown Himself off the roof for the recognition that would surely help Him in His ministry. Instead He served by giving Himself to others. Christian charity which flows from the principle of stewardship becomes an imitation God. This brings us to the third Lenten practice. We pray. Christ was tempted to vain-glorious independence but He chose dependence on the Father. He pointed out to Satan that true worship is directed to God alone.
In every temptation we face, Jesus walks with us because He Himself had experienced them. Through fasting, almsgiving and praying, He gives us the grace and strength to overcome Satan’s wiles. By nature, temptations are relational and we are always tempted against relationship. Praying, fasting and charity are intended to foil not only temptations, nor only to gain strength to resist the Tempter himself. They are meant to strengthen our relationship with God, with oneself and with society. The temptations in the desert remind us that Lent is not needed by the saints. Rather the season is God's gift for sinners to become saints.
