Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Feb. 21, 2021

First Reading: Genesis 9:8-17

Lent has begun. In this liturgical season Christians are invited “to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”

Jesus and the Tempter (c.1500), oil painting on panel by Juan de Flandes (c.1465-1519). National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (Click image to enlarge.)

Our readings throughout the forty-day season often focus on these practices. Our First Readings will recall God’s covenants, binding agreements between God and the people that call us to love God and our neighbors. We begin this Sunday by hearing the covenant with Noah after the Flood, when God promised never again to send a flood to destroy all living creatures: a promise marked by a rainbow in the clouds.

Psalm: Psalm 25:1-9

Attributed by tradition to King David, this Psalm of praise expresses the joy of holding up our hearts and souls with willing trust in God’s everlasting compassion and love. Some of the Psalm’s language, calling for protection against humiliation by enemies and scheming foes, may reflect the hard-won status of a tiny nation. But its tone rings of praise, not fear; and at the end it recalls the people’s covenant to follow God’s ways.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

This passage from the First Letter of Peter follows on the themes of Sunday’s reading from Genesis and the Psalm. It reminds us that we are now saved in the water of baptism, just as Noah and his family were saved in a world covered by water. Both saving acts, we hear, are the work of God: We are saved through the resurrection of Jesus, who now sits at God’s right hand as lord of all creation.

Gospel: Mark 1:9-15

We heard part of this Gospel on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Now we return to it, and learn more, on the first Sunday of Lent: Jesus is baptized, and he sees the Holy Spirit coming down as a dove; he hears a voice from heaven declaring him God’s beloved son. Now we move quickly onward: First, the Spirit immediately drives Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days, where he is tempted by Satan and served by angels. Then we learn that John was arrested, so Jesus comes to Galilee to proclaim the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe in the good news.”