First Sunday of Lent March 09, 2025
Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
In a large city, a priest parked his car in a no-parking
zone because he couldn't find a metered space. He put a note under the
windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 100 times. If I
don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this
note: "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket,
I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."
As we step into the desert of Lent, the Church invites us to
accompany Jesus in His forty days of fasting, prayer, and confrontation with
temptation. This season is not merely a time of giving up comforts but a sacred
opportunity to take up responsibility of our past and rediscover our dependence
on God.
The first reading recounts Moses instructing the Israelites
to offer the first fruits of the harvest to God while retelling the story of
their deliverance from Egypt. This ritual of remembrance was not just about
gratitude; it was an act of identity. By recalling God’s covenant with their
ancestors-the rescue from slavery, the journey through the wilderness, and the
gift of a promised land-the Israelites rooted themselves in a narrative of
divine fidelity.
In our Lenten journey, we are similarly called to remember.
When life feels barren or temptation looms, we must return to the “first
fruits” of our relationship with God: moments of grace, answered prayers, and
His abiding presence in trials. Like the Israelites, we are prone to
forgetfulness. Lent challenges us to retell our own stories through the lens of
faith, recognizing that every struggle is an invitation to trust the God who
“brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm” (Dt 26:8).
The Gospel invites us into Jesus’ confrontation with Satan
in the desert. Hungry and vulnerable after forty days of fasting, Jesus faces
three temptations: to turn stones into bread (materialism), to seize worldly
power (idolatry), and to test God’s protection (presumption). Each temptation
strikes at the core of human weakness, yet Jesus responds not with His divine
power but with Scripture: “One does not live on bread alone” (Dt 8:3); “You
shall worship the Lord, your God” (Dt 6:13); “You shall not put the Lord, your
God, to the test” (Dt 6:16).
Here, Luke reveals a profound truth: The Word of God is our
sword in spiritual battle. Jesus, fully human, shows us that victory over sin
comes not from self-reliance but from surrendering to the Father’s will,
anchored in Scripture. Lent calls us to imitate this trust. When we crave
control, comfort, or security, we must ask: Do I seek to use God, or to worship
Him? The desert becomes a place of purification, where we strip away illusions
of self-sufficiency and let God’s Word nourish us.
The Three Temptations: Lessons for Our Lives
1. The Temptation of Physical Needs (Turning Stones into
Bread)
The devil’s first temptation is aimed at Jesus’ physical hunger: “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus, though fully human and experiencing hunger, refuses to use His divine power for self-satisfaction. He responds with Scripture: “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)
This reminds us that while material needs are important, our
spiritual nourishment is even more crucial. We live in a world obsessed with
material success, instant gratification, and physical comfort. However, Lent
calls us to hunger for righteousness and depend on God’s providence. Fasting
during Lent is a way of disciplining ourselves, reminding us that we are
sustained not just by food but by God’s grace.
2. The Temptation of Power and Glory (Worshiping Satan for
Earthly Kingdoms)
Next, the devil offers Jesus authority over all the kingdoms
of the world, saying, “I will give you all their authority and splendour… if you
worship me.” This is a temptation to seek power, fame, and influence at the
cost of compromising one’s relationship with God. Jesus firmly rebukes the
devil with Scripture: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him
alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:13)
In today’s world, many fall into the trap of ambition,
corruption, and pursuing wealth and power at any cost. Lent calls us to
realign our priorities, remembering that true greatness comes from humility and
service to God and others. Instead of seeking worldly status, we are invited to
worship God alone and trust in His plan.
3. The Temptation of Testing God (Jumping from the Temple)
Finally, the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple
and challenges Him to throw Himself down, quoting Scripture to suggest that
angels will save Him. This is a test of God’s faithfulness, an attempt to
manipulate divine power for spectacle and proof. Jesus responds with, “You
shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)
Sometimes, we too test God by demanding signs or expecting
Him to act according to our desires. Faith does not mean forcing God’s hand but
trusting in His wisdom and timing. Lent calls us to deepen our faith, not by
demanding miracles but by surrendering to God’s will.
The Power of God’s Word in Overcoming Temptation
Each time Jesus was tempted, He countered the devil with
Scripture. This highlights the power of God’s Word as our defence against sin.
During Lent, we are encouraged to deepen our knowledge of Scripture, allowing
it to guide our decisions and strengthen our resolve against temptation.
Lent: A Time for Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
The three temptations correspond to the Lenten pillars:
Fasting teaches us reliance on God rather than material
comforts.
Prayer strengthens our relationship with God, deepening our
trust in Him.
Almsgiving reminds us to seek God’s kingdom rather than
selfish ambition.
Practising these disciplines, we follow Jesus’ example in overcoming temptation and growing holiness.
The Gospel concludes with the devil departing “until an
opportune time.” This reminds us that temptation is ongoing, but through
Christ, we have the strength to resist. As we begin this Lenten journey, let us
follow Jesus’ example, armed with prayer, fasting, and the power of God’s Word.
May this season be a time of renewal, drawing us closer to God and
strengthening us against the trials of life.
Happy Sunday
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