Plenty of Time to Prepare

By Phil Allard

We have just heard of Jesus’s meeting with Satan in the desert. Satan taunted Jesus, telling him to turn stones into bread, offering him power over all the kingdoms on earth, and finally to test the promises that God has made to him by jumping from the parapet of the temple so the Angels might rescue him. Jesus resists all these temptations and finishes his fast in the desert.  Next, we will see him begin his ministries.

The reading from 2 Peter strongly enforces my belief in the value of Lent. This letter speaks to all of us who have been forgiven and freed from sin, who then return to our old habits and begin sinning once again. Lent is a time when we can confront this tendency in ourselves and work our way back to a state closer to grace. 

Not all traditions find Lent useful. There is a theological concept called “eternal security” that holds that once one is saved, one is always saved. I find this unsatisfying and inconsistent with my own experience. I have had moments when I felt very secure in my faith and salvation only to have my confidence betrayed by my greed or a desire to malign someone or something. I need Lent to focus me and bring me back to Jesus; to help me reach the astounding celebration of Easter. Right now, Easter looks to be far away, so there is still plenty of time to prepare.