By Reverend Shelley McVea

First Sunday in Lent

We usually learn something about ourselves when we give up something for Lent, especially if we are giving up something in the spirit of the Gospel.

Jesus stayed in the desert for 40 days, tempted by Satan, with wild beasts, and attended by angels.

Looking at the Genesis passage [Genesis 9:8-17] that we read today, we can see how Noah is a precursor for Jesus. Noah lived at a time when things were so bad that God decided to start over again. Not from scratch. God started over using what he had already created, saving Noah’s family and the pairs of animals from the floods, which lasted 40 days. God’s redemptive hand saved his people. Afterwards God established his covenant with Noah and his descendants and the animals, saying that he will never again bring judgment on the earth.

Now God will no longer destroy his sinners and had to think of a different way to bring salvation. He brings Jesus, the new Noah, the new Adam. Jesus experiences his own 40 days – flooded by suffering -- in the wilderness.

Reverend Shelley McVea was recorded at St. Saviour’s Church, 43 Kimberley Avenue, Toronto, M4E 2Z4.

416 699 6512

Email: [email protected]

www.stsaviours.ca

Services are held every Sunday morning at 10:30 am in the historic village church of St. Saviour’s.

All are welcome to join us in worship and fellowship.

First Sunday in Lent

Year B

RCL

Genesis 9:8-17

1 Peter 3:18-22

Mark 1:9-15

Psalm 25:1-9