1B LENT SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 1:12-15, FEBRUARY 18, 2024
1. STORY
After his death, John was refused entry into heaven because of his poor
record during life. However, the angel
of heaven’s gate gave him a chance to enter. He must go back to earth and discover what
would make God most happy. He went back
to earth and returned with a drop of a martyr’s blood. The angel said that God was pleased but there
was something even more pleasing to him. He must try again. The second time John brought back a drop of
sweat of the brow of a missioner, but the angel said he could try one more
time. For the third time and final time,
John brought back a drop of the tear of a repentant sinner. The angel agreed that this was the gift most
pleasing to God and permitted him to enter heaven. God is truly happy when a sinner repents.
2. GOSPEL: MARK 1:12-15
A. JESUS TELLS US TO REPENT.
Jesus tells us that we must repent. Repentance means to change our thinking, our heart, and our actions.
B. JESUS TELLS US TO BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL.
Jesus tells us that we must accept the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus came to
teach us. The core of the gospel is
love. We must love God, our neighbor,
and ourselves.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
Here are three changes we can begin to make during Lent.
A. CHANGE OUR MINDS.
Jesus wants us to place God as the number one priority in our life. Even though there are many important things in our life such as a home, a job, money, good health, and a good family, we must remember that God is our number one priority. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37).
B. CHANGE OUR HEARTS.
Jesus wants us to have a forgiving heart. Many people have been offended and find it
hard to forgive others. Jesus teaches us
in the Our Father, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us” (Mt.6:12). We should forgive those who have offended us.
C. CHANGE OUR ACTIONS.
Jesus wants us to be kind towards others in our speech. It is very easy to be angry and hurt others by
what we say and how we say it. St. Paul
reminds us “No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as
is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear it” (Ep.4:29).
We should be kind toward others in our
speech.
4. CONCLUSION
During this Lent, please try to do the following.
i) Help the poor by taking home the Lenten donation boxes.
ii) Attend the Stations of the Cross.
iii) Make a good confession.
iv) Attend the parish retreat. We
ask Jesus to help us repent and believe in the Gospel.
