First Sunday of Lent
Daily Prayer
Almighty God, who sent Your beloved Son to teach us your love and mercy, grant that we may grow in understanding through our observance of Lent.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
(Click for today’s Readings.)
Scripture Quote
Matthew 4:10
At this, Jesus said to him,
“Get away, Satan!
It is written:
The Lord, your God, shall you worship
and him alone shall you serve.”
Reflection
We begin Lent contemplating Jesus in the middle of the desert and facing the tempter. The evidence is concrete. Jesus could easily quench His hunger by turning stones into bread. He could become master of all the kingdoms of the earth. And He could throw himself from the top of the temple without fear because the angels will stop his fall.
These temptations have not lost their relevance. We too are invited by the tempter to seek out all our material aspirations. And we seek the power to dominate others and serve us. We like to be applauded; and that is why we seek triumph, attention, superiority.
Adam and Eve in paradise could not resist the temptation to become like God. That’s why they didn’t mind disobeying Him. Jesus, in the desert, does overcome temptation because the will of his Father is above the easy propositions of the tempter. It is possible that we identify with Adam and Eve in our attitude towards the tempter. Perhaps we feel far removed from the determined attitude of Jesus. Acknowledging that feeling would already be positive. It will help us get closer to Jesus since in Him we will find the strength to overcome temptation.
Reflection Questions
In what areas of my life do I need to resist temptation?
How can I resolve myself to resist temptation this Lent?
Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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