Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather today on this First Sunday of Lent, we step into a sacred season of reflection, penance, and renewal. Lent invites us to journey alongside Jesus as He prepared for His public ministry, culminating in His passion and resurrection.
In our Gospel today, we read about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus faced the lure of the devil. This story isn’t just about the physical hunger or the miraculous power of Jesus; it’s a powerful reminder of our own human struggles. Each of us encounters temptations daily—temptations to prioritise worldly desires over spiritual fulfillment, to choose convenience over virtue, and to seek immediate gratification rather than long-term joy.
The temptations presented to Jesus challenge us to examine how we respond when faced with adversity or desire. Jesus demonstrates that the key to overcoming temptation lies in turning to Scripture and the truth of God’s word. Each time He was tempted, He quoted the Scriptures, reaffirming His deep reliance on God’s promises.
In this Lenten season, we are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer allows us to connect with God, to seek His strength, and to find guidance in our decisions. Fasting challenges us to let go of distractions and to focus on what truly sustains us—our spirit. Almsgiving reminds us of our duty to love and serve others, making visible our faith in action.
As we embark on this journey, I encourage each of you to reflect on what you can do to strengthen your faith. Perhaps consider a daily prayer practice, a commitment to reading Scripture, or an act of kindness towards someone in need. These small steps can lead to significant spiritual growth, leading us closer to the heart of Christ.
As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter, let us remember that Lent is not just about giving up but about growing up in our relationship with God. May this season be one of transformation, renewal, and deepening faith.
Let us pray for the strength to face our temptations, just as Jesus did, and to emerge from this season renewed in spirit, ready to share God’s love with the world.
Amen.
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 4:1-13
Glory to you, O Lord
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry. Then the devil said to him,
‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf.’
But Jesus replied, Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone.‘
Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world and said to him,
‘I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose. Worship me, then, and it shall all be yours.’
But Jesus answered him,
‘Scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.‘
Then he led him to Jerusalem and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple.
‘If you are the Son of God,‘ he said to him ‘throw yourself down from here, for scripture says:
“He will put his angels in charge of you to guard you,” and again,
“They will hold you up on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.’”
But Jesus answered him,
‘It has been said: You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.