Scripture Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent
February 13, 2005
by Jacki
Popadich
Insta-Life: Just Add Jesus!
A few weeks ago, I took a friend out grocery shopping with me (I'm not very well domesticated, so I can really use the help and support sometimes). As I was piling items into my cart, he looked at some of my selections and began an onslaught of snide comments. "Pasta sauce mixes, packets of kool-aid, powdered soup mixes -- have you ever heard of something that didn't come from a powder?"
To which I replied, "You are dust, and unto dust you shall return. Ever heard of anything that didn't come from a powder? Gotcha. "
First the bad news...
In our receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday this week, and in the first reading, we are reminded of these origins. It's quite the humble beginning, isn't it? We hear the familiar story of the creation, God fashioning Adam out of clay and breathing life into him. But then it all goes awry when Adam and Eve decide to listen to the serpent, eat the fruit, and more or less live up to their beginnings as dust.
And to think -- we've inherited that from them. Ouch. What's worse is that, through many of our own daily actions, we begin to live up to our origins in dust.
Now, for the Good News...
Don't worry, there is good news coming here. Really good news, actually. In Paul's letter to the Romans, we get the message that we can be better than dust -- through Christ. That's right, folks! Because Christ said "yes" to God, even though Adam said "no", we get a second chance!
It's almost a unique case of sibling rivalry going on here. Adam, the rebel child first came along, and did everything the hard way, the wrong way. We then get Jesus, who came along and did everything bigger, better, more obediently. Because we were fortunate enough to have those two older siblings to pave the way for us, as well as a very understanding parent, our lives have gotten much easier.
I would not feel so all alone....
Life with a "perfect" older sibling isn't always so easy. Especially when that older sibling is so perfect that they are divine. God understands this. Thus we have Jesus, who is both fully divine AND fully human.
In this week's gospel we get to see a great example of this when the devil and Jesus are in the desert together. Jesus undergoes the same kind of temptations we face every day: food, power, you know -- the good stuff. But Jesus holds up against all the temptations thrown at him. Imagine that! Fully human, and he didn't give in to temptation. If Jesus could do it, then maybe we can do it too!
You found Buddy Christ!
I realize my credibility will probably go right out the window with this, but one of my favorite movies is "Dogma". In one of my favorite scenes from that movie, Cardinal Glick (George Carlin) tells us, "Christ didn't come to give us the willies. He came to help us out."
That statement rings true in light of this week's readings. Though we come from humble beginnings -- namely dust -- by adding Jesus to our lives, we can make them extraordinary. The readings allow us the opportunity to see Christ not only as our Savior, but also as an example -- as a mentor or a big brother -- showing us the way to be. Could we ask for anyone better?
Life Applications:
What kind of temptations do you see happening in your life? How could you better avoid them?
Have you ever had a mentor? Been a mentor? How has it made a difference in your life?
Are there times when you haven't lived up to the example of an older sibling?
Copyright 2002-2005 by Jacki
Popadich
All rights reserved.
|
