FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
The Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent is always the same: The Temptation story of Jesus. This is for several reasons. I would like to mention three of them.
Primarily it is to caution us about the reality of temptation. Temptation is real. If Jesus, the Son of God struggled with temptations, then what about us?
Secondly, it is to teach us about the nature of temptations. Most temptations do not have an evil face. Consider the first temptation of Jesus. Jesus was hungry. He had the power to perform miracles. What was wrong in using his power to make bread? It seems fine. However, it was a deceptive suggestion. Jesus understood it. It was a suggestion to distrust God’s providence. It was a suggestion to use his talents for his own satisfaction.
Thirdly, it is to give us the proper tool to fight against temptations. Jesus turned to the Scripture for guidance. The Psalmist describes the Scripture in the following way: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119.105)
What are your temptations? Reflect your life in the light of the Gospels. Name it and tame it.
The Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Lent is always the same: The Temptation story of Jesus. This is for several reasons. I would like to mention three of them.
Primarily it is to caution us about the reality of temptation. Temptation is real. If Jesus, the Son of God struggled with temptations, then what about us?
Secondly, it is to teach us about the nature of temptations. Most temptations do not have an evil face. Consider the first temptation of Jesus. Jesus was hungry. He had the power to perform miracles. What was wrong in using his power to make bread? It seems fine. However, it was a deceptive suggestion. Jesus understood it. It was a suggestion to distrust God’s providence. It was a suggestion to use his talents for his own satisfaction.
Thirdly, it is to give us the proper tool to fight against temptations. Jesus turned to the Scripture for guidance. The Psalmist describes the Scripture in the following way: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119.105)
What are your temptations? Reflect your life in the light of the Gospels. Name it and tame it.
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