First Sunday of Lent
Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert
to be tempted by the devil.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and afterwards he was hungry.
The tempter approached and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
command that these stones become loaves of bread.”
He said in reply,
“It is written:
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth
from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city,
and made him stand on the parapet of the temple,
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.
For it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you
and with their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus answered him,
“Again it is written,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain,
and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
and he said to him, “All these I shall give to you,
if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”
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.”

Then the devil left him and, behold,
angels came and ministered to him.

Reflection on Sunday Gospel

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…

Temptation. It faces us all. It presents challenges. It is part of the human condition.

One of the most comforting aspects of my faith is the Incarnation. Jesus totally embraced his humanity. He fully understands and appreciates the consolations and desolations associated with being human.

What are the temptations in our lives? Are we tempted to take the minimalist stance when going about our daily routine or do we strive to use the gifts we have been given to be the best we can possibly be? Are we tempted to take a “me first” attitude and put all others second? In so doing, where have we put God? Are we tempted to only do the tasks that are pleasurable or do we reach deep within and recognize the responsibility we have to others?

Jesus’ humanity assures us that there is nothing we will endure that God will not comprehend.  Help us, Lord, to journey through this Lenten season with you ever at our sides. Give us the courage to overcome our own temptations and help others overcome theirs.

In your name we pray, Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for Us!
Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever!

Ms. Barbara Jones
Calvert Hall College – Religion Faculty