FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Repent, and Believe in the Gospel

The following reflection was written by St. Matthew Middle School students.

While reading about the Temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark (1:12-15), we learn that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. During this time he experienced spiritual extremes, as he was both tempted by Satan and ministered to by angels. Upon his return to Galilee, Jesus proclaimed the Gospel with the words, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Studying this reading as an Intermediate and Middle School group, the students had many thoughts about what it means to them to “Repent and believe” as well as what they can do to improve their relationship with Christ during the upcoming Lent Season. Here are some of their thoughts:

• “Repenting is to go away from all evil and wrongdoings, and to instead turn to the gospel of the Lord. To me, this means going to church and more often praying the rosary.”
• “This Lenten Season, I can take time each day to listen to God. When you listen to God, it helps you to meditate on how you can be a better person.”
• Repenting means to “let go of temptation, give your life to the Word of God, and be aware of your actions.”
• “Believing in the Gospel means I believe in God. I love him forever and he’ll always be there for me.”
• Repenting means that I will “stop and think about what I say and how it will affect someone.”
• “To repent is like turning yourself to God.”

As we embark in this season of fasting and prayer, let us reflect on what it means to us, personally, to “Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

–St. Matthew students

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.