12 Christ gave himself for us

12. Christ Gave Himself For Us
The season of Lent invites us to repent and encounter the Kingdom of God
Compendium 106-111 Mark 1: 12-15  
1. Lent is a time of renewal. We ask for the grace to strengthen our prayer life, practice fasting and to mortify our senses and give generously of ourselves to those in need and to participate more deeply in Christ's sacrifice of love and the sacraments of confession and communion.
2. On Ash Wednesday we receive an invitation to repent and remember that this life is short and without God we are nothing.
3. For some, Lent is a time for preparation for entrance into the Church.
4. Mostly, Lent is about recovering our Baptismal innocence and victory over temptation.
5. We read about Christ's struggle with Satan in the desert over power, wealth and self-indulgence which reminds us of Adam and Eve's encounter with Satan and Israel's struggle in the desert.
6. The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in the presence of Peter, John and James foretells the changing of our lowly bodies into his glorious body.
7. Moses and Elijah are there because Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
8. In the Sunday readings Jesus invites the Samaritan women at the well to repent.
9. The man born blind emphasizes our need for the light of Christ in our lives.
10. Lazarus is brought back from death.
11. The prodigal son returns.
12. The woman trapped in adultery is freed.
13. Nicodemos reaches out to Jesus in secret.
14. The miracles announce the Good News that Love conquers sin and Jesus has vanquished Satan.
15. Peter will confess Jesus is the Son of the Living God.
16.The Messiah-King enters the New Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
17. We sit at table with Jesus on Holy Thursday as he gives us himself as food for our journey
18. We stand with Mary and John at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and keep vigil on Holy Saturday as we await the Light of Christ.