9 March, the first Sunday of the Lenten season

Liturgy of the Word — Dt. 26:4-10; Ps. 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Rom. 10:8-13; Lk. 4:1-13.

1. 1st Reading, Dt. 26:4-10 — The directives in Deuteronomy were presented by Moses to Israel as they camped on the plains of Moab (Dt. 1:1; 1:5). Despite obstacles, God still assured them that they would enter the land of Canaan, possess, and dwell in it. Numbers 18:12 instructed Israel to regularly bring the first fruits of their harvest as a sacrifice to the priests. The first fruits described in our 1st Reading are from the first harvest in the Promised Land.

"When you have taken possession of Canaan, you shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land that the Lord, your God, is giving you; put them in a basket and go to the place which the Lord, your God, will choose as the dwelling place for his name" (vv. 1-2).

2. Go to the priest there and say to him that you have indeed entered the land given by God. The priest shall take your basket and place it in front of the altar of God (vv. 3-4). The ritual of giving a basket of the first fruits to the priest was a gift of honor for the Lord. For it was the Lord who had graciously given it.

3. Then tell in God's presence the history of Israelites, from the time when Jacob went to Egypt, how, as alien, Jacob became a great nation, only to be oppressed and made captives and slaves, how God freed you with great power after 400 yrs of captivity and brought you to Canaan. Set the first fruits of the land before the Lord and bow down before him (vv. 5-10). Israel must never forget the love and providence of God for his chosen people.

4. Resp. Ps. 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 — Prayer of Confidence in the Lord's protection in times of danger. Say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust" (1-2). "No evil shall befall you... for he commands his angels to guard you.... They shall support you." You will be unharmed should you step on a venomous snake (vv. 10-13).

And God says that you cling to him and know his name and you will cry out him. He will answer you and honor you (vv. 14-15).

5. 2nd Reading, Roms. 10: 8-13 — Israel must recognize that the arrival of Jesus the Messiah signifies the termination of the Mosaic law; Israel has to put its faith in Jesus. "Christ is the end of the law for the justification of everyone who has faith" (v. 4).

We preach the word of faith. And "the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (v. 8).