Lent, our journey from the desert to the mountain

Fr Dominic
Parish Priest

Last Sunday, the First Sunday of our Lenten journey, we find Jesus led out into the desert by the Spirit. He fasts and prays for forty days and nights to prepare for his mission to the world. Satan comes and tries in all his wicked ways to tempt Jesus to stray from his chosen path. Jesus resists and in the end he dismisses Satan. He is determined to forge ahead with the work his Father had given to him.

We now come to the Second Sunday of Lent and we are following Jesus up the mountain. In the scriptures, the mountain is the place where we meet God. So we go from an encounter with the Devil to an acknowledgement from God that Jesus is his Son, the Beloved and says that his favour rests with Him, and we are to listen to him. What an incredible journey, from temptation to transfiguration.

This is to be our journey too. We are asked to resist temptation and by Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving to come to an encounter with the Lord. We are to attempt to experience the joy and beauty of a close relationship with Christ which will help us to overcome the temptations that assail all of us on a daily basis. Let us Christify our world.

Year Of The Word – The Big Picture – a Bible course for Lent!

On Wednesdays during Lent 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm we are starting an inspirational Bible Course entitled The Big Picture. There is a book and DVD to accompany the course and it is designed to give us a real insight and understanding of the Scriptures. The book and DVD costs £10 and are available at the back of the church. I urge as many as possible to avail of this opportunity. Many Catholics are aware the they need to know the Bible more. This is an ideal opportunity. Let us use this Lent to get to know more about our salvation history and come closer to God