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February 22, 2015
Scripture readings for today: Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Matthew 1:12-15
The story of Noah includes one of the saddest lines in the Bible: “When the Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was grieved” (Genesis 6:5-6).
In this story the author portrays God as one whose broken heart grieves over humankind—and Who then destroys all life, regrets this action, and gives humanity another chance through the covenant with Noah and every other living creature.
The flood Noah survived prefigures the baptismal waters that wash away sin’s hold on our hearts and bring the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Through this Spirit we grow more fully as children of God and heirs with Jesus Christ. Jesus, our brother, showed what it means to be a child of God, enduring temptation and seeking always to do the Father’s will.
From the desert He went forth to proclaim the kingdom of God—God’s presence among humankind and His desire to rule our hearts. As Lent begins, what do we need to do to draw closer to God over the coming 40 days?
Father James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
Long Branch, N.J.Download our 2015 Daily Lenten Devotions booklet here.