Homily

Blessed Lent. I would like to offer you a foundational theme that runs through our lectionary texts during Cycle B of Lent. That theme is one of Covenant. God, through salvation history has demonstrated his faithfulness by offering a covenant or dynamic relationship which will be renewed through each week of Lent. First, it is important to define the term covenant. Then, I will explicate how the covenant is present within the readings. Then finally, I would like to offer some concrete ways we can participate in that covenant during Lent.

First, what is a covenant? It’s similar to a contract, but with a distinctive difference. A contract brings two things together, sometimes two people, sometimes an exchange of goods or services is made within a contract. A contract spells out exactly what the terms are. For example, every time we purchase something, we enter into a contract. I give the store two dollars, the store gives me a gallon of milk. There is an exchange. There is a set of rules which orders the exchange and if the rules are broken, then a penalty may be assessed. Sometimes we call this stealing. The rules governing a contract state the minimal requirements. A renter is told what they must pay, and in return a specific apartment is offered.

In a covenant, two parties enter into an relationship, not just an agreement. In a contract, one does not even have to know the other person, but in a covenant, knowing the other person is essential. Instead of asking what is the minimum needed to fulfill the agreement, a covenant calls both parties to do the most for the other. A marriage is an example of a covenant. It is not simply about assigning tasks to each partner in order to make their lives tolerable. No! They enter into an agreement where they promise to give their best to each other. Think of the questions that are asked: “Do you come here freely without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?” Unfortunately, in today’s culture, marriage is getting redefined. The existence of what are called prenuptial agreements fly in the face of the covenant that is marriage.

So, how do we see the covenant in today’s Scriptures? Today we heard about God’s promise to Noah. He promises that the waters of the earth will never destroy all of creation again. That’s a pretty big promise. It is God’s covenant to not only Noah, but to all of humanity. Notice that the boundaries are expansive. He didn’t just say that his promise would be only for Noah’s descendants. In the weeks to come, God renews his covenant and expands it in order to show how much he loves us. The rainbow, then has become for us a reminder of God’s covenant.

In Mark, we heard about Jesus going into the desert to be tempted for forty days. Mark’s version is very short and has none of the details that Luke or Matthew have. Mark’s concern is focused about Jesus’ mission. It is through this time in the desert that Jesus comes out swinging, so-to-speak. He comes out of the desert proclaiming that the kingdom is at hand. The word “kingdom” could also be seen as the word covenant. Jesus is the literal presence of the kingdom of God. It is Jesus, we also know, who is the fulfillment of the covenant. So, through desert experiences like Lent, we can experience a renewed sense of mission and understanding of God’s covenantal love for us all.

In 1st Peter, we have a further explanation of the flood, God’s love, and the new covenant. Peter tells us that the flood was a pre-figuration or a foreshadowing of our own baptisms. As Noah and his family was saved through water, so too, Christians are saved through the baptismal bath that cleanses our consciences from sin. If we look again at that Scripture in verse 21, we see the early Church’s understanding that baptism saves. It is more than just a sign. It is what we call a Sacrament, a vehicle that communicates God’s grace. It is an action that does what it signifies. Peter makes it clear that it is not just a washing of physical dirt, but a mystical calling forth of God’s grace through the merit of Jesus’ resurrection. I’d like to make a footnote here. Notice Peter’s understanding in verse 19 of what Jesus did during his time between his death and resurrection. We heard: “In it he [Jesus] also went to preach to the spirits in prison (an allusion to those who died before Christ’s coming) which is a Scriptural source where we get the phrase in our creed, “he descended to hell.” Through Jesus, the covenant would be more than fulfilled, it would be exploded. Through Jesus, now even death will not harm us. That’s a pretty big promise. Forget about a flood. Even if a flood were to occur (think of the tsunamis or hurricanes of recent memory), God will ultimately save us and lead us through death to life. That’s a covenant beyond all previous covenants!

Okay, so this Scriptural theology is nice and all. But, you may be wondering, how can I put this into practice. It is very simple actually. Since Lent is our imitation of Jesus’ forty days in the desert, we are being called to face our temptations just as he did. That is what prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the hallmarks of Lent, are all about. During Lent, we are all being challenged to clear away all those things that distract us from living in God’s covenant. We here at St. Anthony’s have many things going on to help you journey through Lent. At the exits of the Church you will see a purple paper which details many of the things that will be going on to prepare you for the kingdom (list some of them here).

Every year we celebrate Lent. What are you going to do? Are you going to just let it slip right by without any reflection or engagement in the season? Are you going to let the pace of the world dictate your actions? Or are you going to let this Lent be different from the rest. Are you going to commit yourself to some spiritual exercise in order to go deeper, to break through the lethargy or apathy in your heart? Are you going to freely enter into some form of penitential actions that will help purify your soul? Either way, come to the table today and when you receive Christ n the Eucharist, let him feed you and energize you to begin your Lenten journey into God’s covenant. May this lent help you turn from sin and become a new person driven by the spirit of God. May God bless you this Lent and draw you closer to Christ our Lord. Amen.