Sunday February 21, 2021 - First Sunday of Lent - Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1, 12-15

We started Lent on Ash Wednesday, and this Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent. Together we are slowly walking towards Easter. Slowly moving towards the foundation of our faith, Easter, celebration of Jesus died and rose from the dead; so let us be guided by the Spirit of God through the desert, as Jesus did in the Gospel; let us live fully the passion of our Lord. Only this Spirit can fertilize and make fruitful the earth that is our life. Our life away from God is just an arid desert, without water, without life, so we must turn to Him. The Lent period is given to us for this purpose, to rekindle our faith so that we can turn more to God and come back to Him. It requires conversion, a radical change in the face of our evil inclinations, to be more worthy and perfect so that we, like Christ, can celebrate Easter as victors. In other words, we have to fight against our weaknesses, against Satan and his demons, just like Jesus did, so that we can overcome like Him. This is our goal.

There are many temptations: there are the tempters but there are also those who are tempted. There are those who manage to resist but there are those who succumb. We must resist at all costs. In what way? Not by fleeing, but by facing, as Jesus did, without letting himself succumb. Strong faith is needed here. Let us contemplate Christ to be constantly victorious. Never let us raise the white flag, as those who capitulate do, but rather raise the banner of the victor, which is firm faith. However, if we ever do happen to fall, let's get up quickly. Now is the right time to convert. The teaching of Jesus in Galilee, and which is also addressed to us today, is clear: "The times are fulfilled: the reign of God is at hand. Convert and believe in the gospel." Let us not lose sight of this, and persevere. Amen!