In this episode we discuss the readings of the 1st Sunday in Lent. The theme is about covenant. God is faithful. He fulfills and upholds his “side” of the covenant in those who repent, undergo purification, and commit themselves to the Gospel. 

A covenant is an exchange of persons (see also “I will be your God and you will be my people” (Leviticus 26:12, see also Exodus 6:7, Jeremiah 30:22, 31:1 , 33, and 24:7, Baruch 2:31, Ezekiel 37:27 and still others). 

God does not force His salvation upon us. To accept we must give ourselves to God freely. Link to the readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022121.cfm For further reading: Hahn, Scott, A Father Who Keeps His Promises. 

First Reading (Gen 9:8-15): Following the flood of Noah, which was spurred by the wickedness of humanity, God forms a covenant with Noah that he would never again destroy the earth by water. This prefigures baptism. Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 25): “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.” Our “side” of the covenant with God is to be what we are, children of God. 

Second Reading (1 Pt 3:18-22): Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, while at the same time the broker of a “new and eternal covenant in [His] blood” (cf. I Cor 11:25). 

Gospel (Mark 1:12-15): After Jesus’ baptism, “The Spirit drove Jesus into the desert” where he fasted and prayed for forty days. Forty is a symbolic number of purification and preparation. After the forty days, Jesus begins his public ministry. The time of the kingdom has come, it is here and now: “Repent and believe…” #ProjectWhetstone #BlazeMinistry707 #RideOrDie