Here it is the first Sunday of Lent and the Gospel reading was actually the same one I used yesterday about Jesus going into the desert and being tempted by Satan. The first reading of the day is from Genesis and is the story of Eve being tempted in the Garden of Eden. As I read this passage today I learned something new. This is usually the case every time I reread scripture and today was no different. As is often said, each time you read scripture something new is revealed to you.

The other thing I’ve come to realize with scripture is even though it was written over two thousand years ago, it is still relevant today. It relates to our world, maybe even more today then when they were written. Let’s look at Gen 3: 1- 8. This describes how the serpent tempted Eve. He made the forbidden fruit sound so good how could she resist? He convinced her that it would be okay if she ate from the tree, in fact it would make her a better person. It would give her things she didn’t have. The world would be hers. Does any of this sound familiar? Does this sound like the stuff we are bombarded with every day?

We are told how if we use this product, or go to this or that place, our lives will be so much better. Like Eve we will become a better person. But what about what will really make our lives better? What about what we really need to become a better person? Do we ever hear about God? No because every time we try to get the message out we are attacked. We are told there is no place for God in the public square, yet there is plenty of room for Satan and his traps. Satan is allowed to be everywhere with his temptations, but God is regulated to one hour a week stuck inside four walls.

The good news is Lent is a time for renewal It is a time for all of us to spread the word and renew the church. This is the time to get out there and live the Gospel. Lead by example. Live what you learn. Believe what you learn. Remember back in the late 80’s, early 90’s when the AIDS epidemic began? There was one of those public service commercials that went something like “When you date one person you also date the people they dated and the ones they dated and on and on…” The message was that it was an exponential thing. We need to look at spreading the good news in the same way. When we are an example to one person, they will be an example to another and then another. It will grow and grow.

It all starts with each of us who believe. Each of us needs to shut out the noise and listen to what God is telling us. Let him lead us in the right direction. He will teach us what we need to show others the way and how to bring others back to him. In other words, He will help us to renew His church.