SERMON/HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B 18TH FEBRUARY 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B 18TH FEBRUARY 2024

Gen.9:8-15; Ps.25; 1Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

“… _he was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan_ ” (Mk.1:12)

The Devil is your enemy of spiritual progress

Many of us are quite familiar with the term “enemy of progress”. It is often used to designate someone or persons who do not wish or who actively work against the progress of others. Such persons are perceived to be “everywhere” and could sometimes be family member or a close ally. Conscious of this, many persons have learnt how not to announce their success-story (especially at the early stage), so as not to get the enemies of progress informed and activated. Little wonder some people never announce their plans to travel out until they have travelled out. At this time wherein we commence the Lenten season, embracing some mortification for our spiritual advancement, the readings of today focus our attention on a common enemy of our spiritual progress.

The background to this is that embracing the Lenten season with zeal, renouncing sinful habits and cultivating virtues, will amount to spiritual progress for us. If we pray, fast and give alms in the most appropriate way, Lenten will make of us better persons. Becoming better persons implies that the grip of Satan over us, through sin, will be loosened. We can imagine that the devil will not want this. If Lenten season goes well for us, it will amount to “dry season” for the devil. So, we should expect that at every Lenten season, the devil must come prepared. It makes sense therefore if the season of lent is the moment we face the most of our temptations. It is when you have decided to stop a particular sin that the occasions for such sin becomes more and attractive. It becomes necessary for us to always be on guard against this enemy of our spiritual growth in the season of lent.

In the gospel reading of today, we read that the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness for forty days encounter with God through intense prayer and fasting. Going to the wilderness indicated an attempt to avoid distractions so that this prayerful encounter will be as enriching as possible. Remember that this was also when Jesus was about to commence this public ministry. So he needed all the spiritual fortification for the task/mission ahead. But then, we are told that right there in the wilderness, the devil was available for intense temptation. The devil fully knew how much Jesus will advance after that forty days encounter with the heavenly Father. The devil knew how much the success of Jesus’ public ministry will depend on this wilderness experience. So, if he (the devil) could work hard to not only distract Jesus but also get him to sin (in the wilderness), he would have successfully crippled Jesus’ ministry.

Although the gospel did not spell out the temptations, we know quite well that the devil tempted Jesus three times. This is an indication that the presence of the devil was not a one-day thing. The devil stayed for some time, trying to bring Jesus down. Truly, he is an enemy of progress. But in the midst of all these, there was the “friend of progress”. We are told that the angels ministered to Jesus. But notice that the ministration of the angels did not make it impossible for the devil to present. Beloved, you will be tempted but not beyond your capacity.

See, that same devil is at it again! He knows very well the resolutions you have made this season of lent. He knows, ahead of you, what advancement you will experience if you successfully pull through with your Lenten observances. Being an enemy of progress, he would want to make you feel weak or unable to embrace conversion. Dear friend, do not listen to that voice telling you that you cannot do without those sinful habits; ignore the voice when it reminds you of the times you have tried to failed to change; reject the voice suggesting to you that it is fine to remain weak since you are human. That person who will never give you sex without a condition, will come now giving it without condition.

Mind you, this discouragement will come from the most unlikely sources: a friend, family member, or even a scandalous deed of someone you hold in high esteem, etc. The fruit of conversion is a covenantal relationship with God. Your enemy of progress does not want you to get to that level. Someone once said that it is when you do not feel like praying that you should pray the most.

Notice that after Jesus had successfully overcame the devil in the wilderness, at the end of the forty days, he came out to begin his pastoral ministry. Just then, his cousin and forerunner John the Baptist was arrested. The timing of the arrest of John the Baptist was itself a temptation for Jesus. Will he delay the commencement of his public ministry to attend to the arrest of his cousin and forerunner? This temptation speaks of those times when human concerns tend to distract us from embracing conversion as we ought. For example, imagine someone who is trying to denounce dishonesty in this season of lent, but just between Ash Wednesday and today, the prices of basic commodities have increased by more than 20% without a corresponding increase in income. If this person continues with the resolution to drop dishonesty, how will he cope with the prevailing harsh economic reality? For those whose basic sins surround trying to survive, how will they embrace conversion in this Lenten season when survival is most difficult than ever?

Beloved, from the terms of the covenant between God and Noah in the first reading, God is resolved to provide and protect those who keep to His word. The psalmist testified that those who keep God’s covenant richly experience His mercy and faithfulness. Ps.34:10 tells us that young lions may lack and go hungry but those who trust in the Lord lack no blessing. So, be steadfast with your Lenten observances. If you have failed already in keeping them, do not be discouraged – get up and begin again. The devil is your enemy of progress in this graceful season of lent. Whatever comes from him is not for your good. My dear, _if you no gree for devil this lent, you go see say your testimony go loud; na me tell you.