Lectionary thoughts for Lent 1

This, very mixed, collection of ideas are the result of looking at the Lectionary readings and noting the thoughts that 'popped' into my mind. I have, very deliberately, not tried to 'polish' them in any way, mainly because I lack the finesse necessary.

Year A

Lent 1A
Genesis 2: 15 - 17, 3: 1 - 7

Ancient stories of great poetic beauty;
Modern condition of self-importance.
Ancient truth of the wisdom of God;
Modern condition of man's stupidity.

Ancient story requiring human obedience;
Modern condition of human wilfulness.
Ancient story of passing the blame;
Modern condition of irresponsibility.

Ancient story of yielding to temptation;
Modern condition of temptation by advertising.
Ancient story of ignoring God's warnings;
Modern condition of personal selfishness.

Ancient story about the truth of God's wisdom;
Modern condition of denying there is 'truth'.
Ancient story of God's wise provision;
Modern condition of mankind's profligacy.

Lent 1A
Psalm 32

This is a season for making
Assessment and confession
Of our "manifold sins".

This is a season for being
Utterly open and honest
With ourselves and God.

This is season for realising
Just who and what we are
In the reality of God's presence.

This is a season for receiving
Into the core of our being
The "unfailing love of the Lord".

Lent 1A
Romans 5: 12 - 19

There is much more than 'mere emotion' in the life of faith. There is also a powerful and awesome logic. For, whilst God has given the Creation immense freedom to develop its potential, God is deeply concerned with the quality of life open to the sentient beings that evolve. Thus although there is no evidence of anything like 'interference' by God in the development of the physical world, there is powerful evidence, in Christ, of God's real presence at the most critical time of our history.
If our gospels are true, and I believe they are, then we have immensely powerful support for this concentrated logic of Paul's. this season of Lent affords us a marvellous opportunity for personal, and corporate, reflection on our indebtedness to God for such love toward us.

Lent 1A
Matthew 4: 1 - 11

Where is our 'wilderness'?
And what are our 'temptations'?
Then, who is 'the tempter'?

Our 'wilderness' is here
In the ordinary ups and
Downs of everyday life.

Our 'temptations' are the
Many and manifold pressures
Of self-absorption.

Our 'tempter' is found
Both in our selfishness
And the world's materialism.

And what is the 'cure' to
These inescapable trials
But "to do homage to the Lord
Your god and worship him alone".