Sunday, February 18, 2024
The readings for the 1st Sunday of Lent for Year B (see below) get us thinking how God is faithful even when we wander away from him. The first reading is the story of Noah’s Ark. The psalm remind us to be faithful. The second reading explains that the great flood in the time of Noah preceded our baptisms. And the gospel tells us that Jesus spent 40 days (like the 40 days of the flood) fasting in the desert and returned ready to spread his message.
So these readings get us started on our Lenten journey. It is time to commit to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. There are many ideas for this on the Catholic Ideas for Lent page.
Daily Mass Readings for the First Sunday of Lent – Year B
- First Reading – Genesis 9:8-15: “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 25: “Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.”
- Second Reading – 1 Peter 3:18-22: “In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.”
- Gospel – Mark 1:12-15: “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan.”
Resources, Ideas, Videos, and Social Media Graphics for the 1st Sunday of Lent – Year B
Top ideas for 1st Sunday of Lent – Year B
Lenten Activities: Give Up Video Games for a Weekend
For many of us, video games have become a way to escape reality and blow off some steam. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, there is a tendency in our culture to spend a lot of time gaming.
Lent in 3 Minutes (Video)
This brief video from Busted Halo answers some basic questions about Lent: What is Lent? What is Ash Wednesday? Why do people have ashes on their heads? Why fast, pray, and give during Lent?
Start a Prayer Journal
Lent is a time when we explore ways to deepen our prayer lives. A prayer journal is a good way to stay focused during prayer. I find this an especially helpful practice for teens who are trying to develop a…
How to Pray for Somebody Who Has Hurt You
Today for Lent, why not pray for someone who has hurt you? This is especially powerful if you are still harboring some resentment. Pray from your heart, but if you are having trouble getting started, try this prayer.
Lenten Activities: Make an Offering Box
Lent is a beautiful opportunity to offer ourselves to our Lord. An offering box is a tangible way to make our offerings. It can be used for many different types of offerings. #Lent #sacrifice #offering
The Kingdom of God Is at Hand
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Lenten Activities: Go to a Weekday Mass
One of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics is prayer. During this holy season we are called to grow closer to our Lord by increasing and focusing our prayer life. What better way to do this than by attending a…
Broken (so that we could be made whole)
This video from LifeTeen shows how Jesus Christ is waiting for us in all of our messy sinfulness. Jesus was broken so that we could be made whole. It focuses on the Pascal Mystery.
Christ vs Satan in Our Daily Lives
Fr. Robert Spitzer explains how to recognize evil forces in our lives and overcome them. Through Jesus Christ we can be transformed and fight evil instead of being controlled by it.
Even more resources for 1st Sunday of Lent – Year B
Repent and Believe! Discussion and Reflection Questions
This reflection will help youth consider what it means to repent. “What do I need to change to become closer to Jesus?”
Get on Noah’s Ark (Game for VBS or Youth Group)
Get on Noah’s Ark is an easy game for your Vacation Bible School, church camp, or youth group. All you need is some laundry baskets and stuffed animals. Even your youngest VBS students will enjoy this game. Use more animals…
Lenten Practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
Lent is a time of penance. It is a time when we reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics have three main practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All Catholics, young and old, can participate…