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Archdiocese of Washington The True Rainbow in the Sky – A Reflection on the Readings of the First Sunday of Lent By: Msgr. Charles PopeOn the first Sunday of Lent, the readings have a very baptismal theme. It makes sense, for it is common on this Sunday that the catechumens report to the Bishop for the Rite of Election, wherein they are recognized as elect (chosen) of God in these final weeks before their baptism.In today’s readings, there are many themes that form the “spokes” of a wagon wheel, and baptism is the central hub around which they turn. And arching over...

Readings: Genesis 9:8-15 Psalm 25:4-9 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15 Lent bids us to return to the innocence of baptism. As Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the deluge, we were saved through the waters of baptism, Peter reminds us in today’s Epistle.And God’s covenant with Noah in today’s First Reading marked the start of a new world. But it also prefigured a new and greater covenant between God and His creation (see Hosea 2:20; Isaiah 11:1-9).We see that new covenant and that new creation begin in today’s Gospel.Jesus is portrayed as the new Adam...