First Sunday of Lent (B) : 18th February 2024

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Do we earnestly seek God’s guidance? The psalmist pleads with God “make me know Your ways, teach me Your paths … make me walk in Your truth,” (vv 4-5). He understands that the Lord is ever merciful, loving, and good (vv 6-7).

With this insight, in whatever desperate situation we may be in, the Lord will always be “good and upright”, will show “the path to those who stray” will guide “the humble in the right path”, and will teach “His way to the poor” (vv 8-9).

Why is God so good? God is so good because He is a covenant God. God keeps His promises. He is ever faithful and loving to us, His covenant people.

Lent offers us a penitential opportunity to return to God. For whatever reasons we have, in being away from God, let us take these 40 days as grace-filled days, to draw closer to Him. We can pray, like the psalmist, asking God for help in knowing His ways, God’s paths, God’s truth (vv 4-5).

We dare to ask because God is merciful, loving, and good (vv 6-7). If we have strayed, God will show us the right “path” to walk on (v 8). To receive God’s grace, we only need to be humble and  poor in spirit (v 9)!

Lord, help me to know that I do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Your mouth.