FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

​In our Gospel this Sunday from Mark 1:12-15, the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert.  This past year, we too have found ourselves in a desert, in what feels like at times forty times forty days.  Yet in other respects, it is hard to believe that it has been almost a year.  Mark writes, “He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.”  Angels. 
 
The ministry of angels can be found throughout the life of Christ.  It was an angel who announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Baby Jesus.  Angels were present at Jesus’ birth.  They warned Joseph.  An angel was with Jesus when he was praying at the Garden of Gethsemane.  Angels were ready to help when Jesus was betrayed.  An angel rolled back the stone from the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.  An angel announced the resurrection of Christ.  Christ ascended into heaven with angels present.  The list goes on of how angels played an important role in the ministry of Christ. 
 
Just as angels surround the throne of God the Father and serve Him, they also were around Jesus - attending to God the Son.  The angels observed Jesus dying a humiliating death between two robbers.  They observed the great love that Jesus showed toward humanity.
 
As a parish family, the angels have been with us and our community here at St. Julia, watching over us.
 
May we embrace this season of Lent with an open heart, and allow the Holy Spirit, and the angels too, to minister to us as we seek a renewal of mind, body, and spirit.
 
Please know of my prayers for all of your intentions, and may God continue to bless each of you and those that you love.
 
Fr. Greg