Publisher's Synopsis
This volume begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020, includes all the Sundays in Lent through Palm Sunday, and ends with Holy Week and the Resurrection on Easter on April 12, 2020. Lent is the season when we are called to examine our relationship with our Lord. The themes are repentance and renewal. Ash Wednesday is the day you resolve to build a closer relationship with the Lord. Do you give up desserts and shed a few pounds or do you spend 20 minutes a day at mass or saying a rosary and gain eternity? The choice is yours.The readings for the first Sunday in Lent are the fall from grace in the Garden of Eden and Jesus's temptation in the desert. These contrast the weak spirit of man with our sinless Lord Jesus. The hubris of man causes him to believe he is God.The Transfiguration is covered the second Sunday in Lent. Simon Peter, James, and John witness the Light of the World talking with Moses and Elijah. They then hear the voice of God claiming Jesus as His Son. Would you be able to keep that secret?The topic for the third week is water. Two stories reveal the relationship between God and his people. The first retells the story of God providing water from a rock for the Israelites in the desert. The second is the tale of the Samaritan woman at the well. In the fourth week, David is selected to be king of Israel after Saul. In the Gospel, a man born blind is healed. The theme is to trust in God.The promise of eternal life is the topic for the fifth week. God promises to place his spirit within us. This is illustrated by Martha's profession of faith and the raising of Lazarus.The Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of his Passion. The readings describe the jubilation of the crowd, the fear of the religious leaders, the Last Supper and betrayal, ending in death. These events are covered in more detail in the readings for Holy Week, especially the Last Supper on Thursday, the crucifixion on Friday and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.