Gospel Reflection for 1st March 2020 The First Sunday of Lent
Do not lead us into temptation
Lent is a Pilgrimage, a Journey, and it begins with Jesus being led into the wilderness of the desert by the Holy Spirit. The desert for the Jewish People is a very scared and symbolic place. It was in the desert that the Israelites encountered and experienced God. It was in the desert that God established the Covenant with them and said ‘You will be my people and I will be your God.’ But they grew tired, frustrated and impatient with God and built the golden calf and began to worship it rather than remaining faithful to God.
On this, the first Sunday of Lent, Jesus willingly goes into the desert and there he will be tempted to turn his back on God in favour of power, wealth and fame. So, what will he do? Will he be like his ancestors and give into temptations or rely on God when he is offered, what on the face of it looks very attractive. His answer comes in three parts, all from scripture;
‘We do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God; do not put the Lord your God to test and finally, you must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’
Jesus has the courage and humility to turn to God when he needs help and strength the most; he does not rely on his own strength and willpower when tempted. He doesn’t give up on God and God does not desert him.
Our daily temptations may not be as dramatic as those of Jesus, but they are no less real or dangerous. Ours are more than likely to be far more ordinary and subtle. We will have another cigarette, another glass of wine, we will do or say something that we know to be wrong in order to protect ourselves. These may start out as small temptations, but in the end they all add up. When we are tempted, we have two choices; to rely on our strength or humbly turn to God as Jesus did and ask for help. God did not abandon Jesus and neither will God ignore us when we ask for help.
For Prayerful Consideration
- When I am tempted, do I rely on myself or do I turn to God for help, support and strength?
- Slowly pray this line from Psalm 86, ‘Lord, you are good and forgiving, loving to all who call on you, hear my prayer, listen when I call to you.’
-Br Michael Moore OMI
Gospel for March 1st : Matthew 4:1-11 ©
Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
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