First Sunday of Lent

Lent is preparation for the celebration of the greatest feast of the liturgical year - Easter. It has both a repentant and a baptismal character. We are quite familiar with the repentant character, but how does baptism enter into the picture?

In the fourth and fifth centuries, the Church developed a system of rites to accompany the faith journey of those who wished to become Christians. The final forty days of the journey become what we now call Lent. Witnessing the catechumens' journey through the stages of Christian initiation in our parish helps those of us already baptized to remember and recommit to our own baptismal promises.

Baptism is about dying and rising: dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. Dying to sin requires attention to our relationship with God and others. Lent offers a chance to take measure of and re-form our lives, both individual and communal. The Scripture readings throughout the season help us recall God's saving presence and invitation to fullness of life.

How can I respond to God's invitation this Lent? What difference does it make that I am a baptized Christian?